Public Broadcasting Service Leverages XenData Clustered SX-525

XenData Ltd, a provider of LTO archive solutions to the media and entertainment industry, has been chosen by the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), to help streamline its DR needs.

By leveraging the XenData SX-525, an LTO archive server cluster for HA, PBS is creating a program origination system for its DR site in Lincoln, NE.

As PBS houses both real-time and non-real time systems, it was looking for a shared storage solution that was compatible with both. By leveraging the SX-525 archive server, PBS established a common cache storage system, meaning all of the files, both real time and non-real time, are accessible to both systems.

The SX-525 in the DR site supports the network should PBS’ network operations center (NOC), headquartered in Virginia, experience downtime. It is available to accept files and scripts deposited by PBS. Furthermore, SX-525 functions as a stand-alone archive server within the PBS facility.

Because the SX-525 solution supports writing to LTO-5 and LTO-6 using the LTFS interchange or open standard TAR format, PBS was not required to use proprietary formats. This means it can be sure that its content is accessible for years to come, making it suited for long-term data archive. Furthermore, the server cluster scales to provide multiple petabytes of near-line LTO storage.

“XenData’s fully supported clustered server meets all the requirements for our DR site,” said James Cutright, director, project management, PBS. “With compatibility for real and non-real time systems, ample bandwidth, an open format and their willingness to adapt and tailor the solution to meet our needs, we have been very pleased with the SX-525 product and XenData’s technical team who have provided system design and integration services above and beyond expectations.“

The SX-525 supports one or more LTO libraries connected via FC and includes two servers running Windows Server 2012 in a clustered configuration with a redundant RAID cache. It supports most enterprise robotic LTO libraries, including models from HP, IBM, Oracle, Qualstar, Quantum and Spectra Logic. It may be configured to mirror files across two LTO libraries, creating a redundant LTO archive system with no single point of failure.

“As PBS provides enriching programming across the nation, we are glad to have been chosen to provide them with a fully redundant archive solution, helping them preserve their media for generations to come,” said Phil Storey, XenData CEO. “By leveraging our SX-525 server cluster, PBS is guaranteed a seamless user experience while also ensuring there is never a disruption in programming.“