Dynamic Drive Pool - DDP

• The DDP is a very fast storage server

• Using standard ethernet
When and how to use the DDP?
• Defining your problem
• The DDP is the solution
• The unique properties of the DDP
• A DDP for every situation
• How to setup the DDP
• How to operate the DDP
• Scaling in capacity or capacity and bandwidth
• Backup possibilities
Defining
your
problem
Companies use
• a file (NAS) server
• firewire drives in addition or instead
• a standard SAN (Storage Area Network)

• But none is an ideal solution

• What if… we merge advantages of all three?

The DDP is the solution
• DDP has SAN speed with NAS functionality
• Using only GbE networks (1, 10, 40 GbE or multiples)
• “Feels” similar to local drives
• One box, one network, thus simple to install, use and
maintain
• Against an affordable price using standard off the shelve
components
Vision behind the DDP
• DDP supports any application in this industry
• Audio, Video and Film
• For any operating system
• Applications in any combination and any format
• Exactly as you would expect
How did Ardis do this?
• Using the SCSI protocol over IP (iSCSI)
• Developing their ArdisVirtualFileSystem (AVFS)
• Integrating all this in one box
• Making it all work on Ethernet
Traditional SAN
From traditional SAN -> the DDP
How unique is the DDP?

• The aforementioned unique selling points

• sets the DDP aside from any competitor
• and makes the DynamicDrivePool the sole choice
• for professional broadcasters
• and post production facilities.
• Who else offers this solution?
• No one!
There are 5 lines of DDPs

• standalone DDP series

• miniDDP24D and miniDDP48D series
• microDDP160, microDDP300 and microDDP600
• mirror DDP series
• scalable (non) redundant DDP series
standalone DDP series
miniDDP24D, miniDDP48D series
microDDP160, DDP300, DDP600
mirror DDP series
scalable redundant DDP series
How to Setup the DDP?
• Install the iSCSI and AVFS driver on each workstation
• Optionally install the software for the DDP Graphical
User Interface (GUI)
• Connect DDP and workstations together using an
Ethernet switch
• Give both DDP and workstations appropriate IP
addresses
IP addresses and iSCSI name
How to operate the DDP?
TableView
How to make a DDP drive?
Bandwidth Limiting per Desktop
Preread and Preallocation
To make a Profile
The Workflow Manager
The importance of service connection
Setting of IP Addresses and MCS
Pre maintenance of the DDP
The IO Monitor
Quota Setting
Event Notifications
Is the DDP future proof?
• The DDP drives can be replaced with bigger ones
• The DDP can be delivered less populated
• The DDP can be expanded with DDP16DEX storage
arrays
• Additional cards can be installed

FUTURE PROOF: YES!

A DDP
installation
DDP Backup Options

• Standard backup solutions

• Solutions using a mirrorDDP
Standard Backup Solutions
• DDP backup is always via one of the computers or a
separate computer
• Allowing any standard backup solution to be used
• DDP drives can be backed up using Retrospect, PC
Backup, Archiware and so on
• Any backup program will do
Using a mirrorDDP

• Both DDPs can remain synchronized

• Mirror is done incrementally in a time interval to
be set
• Both DDPs can be used simultaneously and can
function as each other’s mirror
Setting up a mirrorDDP
Scalable in Capacity and Bandwidth
• From DDP12D onwards each DDP can be extended
with DDP16EX storage arrays
• DDP can be delivered partly populated
• DDP is scalable. You can extend as you grow
• With multiple DDPs and the Workflow Manager
operators see an additional DDP just as an additional
local drive
Some
Customers
Thank you for your attention

Jan de Wit
Ardis Technologies