SGI gurus, I could sure use your help. Many questions re: SGI Fibre Channel disk array

S.C.Sprong · *nix forums beginner Joined: 21 May 2005 Posts: 36

Walther Mathieu <mathieu.nospam@in4tec.de> wrote:

Walther Mathieu · *nix forums addict Joined: 05 Jun 2005 Posts: 91

Tony 'Nicoya' Mantler wrote:

Tony 'Nicoya' Mantler · *nix forums Guru Wannabe Joined: 02 Jul 2005 Posts: 139

In article <CfFxf.47$_c.42@tornado.tampabay.rr.com>,
Chris Johnson <cmjohnson@cfl.rr.com> wrote:

: I presume that this unit should have no trouble working with a PC
: with a suitable Fibre Channel interface and software?

Should work just peachy.

: I have the option of using an SGI O2 workstation in conjunction with
: this unit. Is this really going to be my better control solution?
:
: The computer that works with this storage array is going to have to
: be able to deliver full bandwidth HD content without a hiccup.
: By preference its video output will be RGBHV on BNC connectors,
: so I presume an O2 with a digital video option will be important?

I wouldn't suggest using an O2 for playing back HD content, it really doesn't
have the CPU power needed for modern codecs.

: Will I have to use a 2GB Fibre Channel controller, or will I be able
: to get away with using a 1 GB controller?

Either should work, so long as you match media types (copper vs fiber etc)

: I presume that all Fibre Channel controllers are 64 bit controllers,
: in which case I'll have to use a fully 64 bit PC, I presume?

64-bit PCI cards will work just fine in 32-bit slots, though somewhat slower
than if they were in a full-size slot. They also look a bit funny hanging half
out of the connector, but just put the case back on and ignore it.

: Please feel free to answer any of these questions and volunteer anything
: that might be relevant to my idea. Good, bad, or indifferent, let me
: hear what you have to say. Please.

Fiberchannel is a really great storage technology and is quite worth getting
into. It can be a little expensive depending on what selections you make, like
1Gb vs 2Gb or faster, copper vs fiber, hub vs switch vs direct connect.

Make sure you have some serial cables around to configure your equipment, make
sure you pay attention to connector and cable types, and do lots of reading.

Cheers - Tony 'Nicoya' Mantler :)

--
Tony 'Nicoya' Mantler -- Master of Code-fu -- nicoya@ubb.ca
-- http://nicoya.feline.pp.se/ -- http://www.ubb.ca/ --

Chris Johnson · *nix forums addict Joined: 03 Apr 2005 Posts: 56

I recently picked up an SGI TP9100 2GB Fibre Channel disk array with
RAID controller.

I'd like to use this disk array for media storage for a high definition
and DVD movie server for my home theater.

It will be configured with something greater than one terabyte of disk
storage space when I'm done. Hopefully much greater.

I have no operator's experience with this unit.

Does this unit need software setup/programming in order to function as
I intend it to? Or is it more or less a plug-and-play storage array?

I realize that I need Fibre Channel hard drives and a Fibre Channel
control card (and driver software) for installation in whatever computer
I choose to use. Plus the appropriate media jukebox software, of
course.

I presume that this unit should have no trouble working with a PC
with a suitable Fibre Channel interface and software?

I have the option of using an SGI O2 workstation in conjunction with
this unit. Is this really going to be my better control solution?

The computer that works with this storage array is going to have to
be able to deliver full bandwidth HD content without a hiccup.
By preference its video output will be RGBHV on BNC connectors,
so I presume an O2 with a digital video option will be important?

Will I have to use a 2GB Fibre Channel controller, or will I be able
to get away with using a 1 GB controller?

I presume that all Fibre Channel controllers are 64 bit controllers,
in which case I'll have to use a fully 64 bit PC, I presume?

Please feel free to answer any of these questions and volunteer anything
that might be relevant to my idea. Good, bad, or indifferent, let me
hear what you have to say. Please.

CJ

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