Apple Final Cut Pro 7 - Manual (Page 228)

One of the most common ways of connecting a computer to a Fibre Channel disk drive
system for video capture and output is called a point-to-point connection. A single
computer, equipped with a Fibre Channel PCI Express card, is connected to a single Fibre
Channel disk drive array. Unlike SCSI systems, Fibre Channel cables can be run extremely
long distances, up to 30 meters using copper cables and 6 miles (10 kilometers) using
optical cables.
Fibre
Channel
card
Computer Disk array
For all its advantages, a Fibre Channel disk array requires more setup than other storage
options, making it unsuitable for portable use. Fibre Channel disk arrays usually have
extremely high capacity (potentially several terabytes of disk storage). Although this can
make them more expensive relative to other storage solutions, the cost per megabyte is
often considerably lower.
Storage Area Networks
A storage area network (SAN) such as an Apple Xsan system consists of one or more disk
arrays that are made available to multiple computer systems simultaneously. Broadcast
and post-production facilities can use an Xsan system to share a single set of media files
among multiple editing systems.
Xsan software allows an administrator to control SAN access privileges for each editing
system. For example, a capturing edit station may have read-and-write access to the SAN,
while an assistant editor station may only have read access to media files for a particular
project. An administrator may also control permissions to make sure editors capture
material only to specific folders.
Advantages of Xsan include:
• Media files are instantly accessible from multiple editing systems.
• Storage capacity and bandwidth can be scaled as needed.
• Editors can move between editing suites and continue working on the same project
without moving media files.
• Assistant editors can load, output, or archive media without disturbing an ongoing edit
session.
228 Chapter 13 Determining Your Hard Disk Storage Options