MediaGrid

SHARED STORAGE

MediaKind MediaGrid is a highly scalable, Ethernet-based shared storage system optimized for digital media workflows.

Proven in the world’s most-demanding video environments, MediaGrid is an ideal fit for digital media applications requiring shared, real-time storage, such as ingest, playout, archive, edit-in-place, collaborative editing, transcoding and over-the-top (OTT) adaptive bitrate streaming. Simple to deploy, manage and scale, MediaGrid storage accelerates file-based workflows and provides the ability to manage the entire asset lifecycle. The system reduces the cost of storing media nearline, making it practical to economically deploy multi-petabyte digital media libraries and archives for video on demand (VOD) and other applications. MediaGrid is purpose-built from the ground up to deliver high bandwidth and consistent low latency for video. Its exceptional performance is enabled by a proprietary distributed file system and the installation of the MediaGrid file system driver (FSD) on each client computer.

Unlike competing clustered NAS systems, which can only access data through one path at a time, the FSD enables MediaGrid to deliver maximum performance through true parallel access across many storage nodes and network connections.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Superior, consistent performance for media workflows
• High-density, up to 672 TB of raw capacity in 5 RU
• Unique file system technology enables exceptionally high bandwidth across all capacity points
• Simple and cost-effective to deploy, manage and scale
• Recycle Bin feature provides data protection
• Integrates with Spectrum™ media servers and MediaKind VOS SW Cluster origin streaming video server
• Qualified and optimized with dozens of leading media applications
• Stretch Cluster provides synchronous replication for metropolitan distances

High Scalability

MediaGrid is based on a fully distributed scale-out architecture, resulting in increased performance as additional storage nodes are added. Nearly 2 GBps of bandwidth can be delivered to a single client, with aggregate bandwidth reaching tens of gigabytes per second. As the system is expanded, bandwidth and capacity increase linearly, actually improving access speed to the content already on the system. The high performance of MediaGrid even enables the transfer of uncompressed files over Ethernet.

Bandwidth consistency also sets MediaGrid apart. On competing storage systems, performance may significantly degrade over time due to data fragmentation. The MediaGrid file system stripes data across all system servers, and clients then access the servers in parallel, ensuring reliable performance for any application, at any time.

Simple and Cost-Effective

MediaGrid is remarkably simple to deploy. Based on standard hardware components and cost-effective Ethernet technology, the system is also economical to purchase and maintain. Many alternative media storage systems utilize Fibre Channel SANs to deliver the required levels of performance, but Fibre Channel is far more complex than Ethernet and requires expensive, specialized personnel to manage it. In many cases, these competing systems require a forklift upgrade to expand beyond the performance or capacity limits on a single controller, leading to higher costs upon initial deployment and when adding capacity. This is not the case with MediaGrid.

Media workflows often demand the ability to quickly and continuously add new content, necessitating scalability. On some systems, scaling can be management-intensive and highly disruptive to users and applications alike. With MediaGrid, scaling is fast and unobtrusive: storage nodes and enclosures are added, the additional capacity is absorbed by the file system, and existing data is transparently rebalanced across the new nodes as a background task. There’s no need for file system reconfiguration as you scale, or for file system defragmentation as the

Optimized for Media Workflows

MediaGrid was designed from the ground up for the demanding requirements of digital media workflows, and is tested and optimized with dozens of leading media systems, including MediaKind Spectrum media servers and VOS SW Cluster origin multiscreen media servers. It also enables collaborative editing workflows with nonlinear editors, such as Apple Final Cut Pro, Avid Media Composer, and Adobe Premiere Pro.

The advanced media-specific functionality delivered by MediaGrid reflects MediaKind’s deep expertise with media applications and workflows. For example, MediaGrid enables editing of growing files, a critical capability in environments such as news broadcasting, and variable block sizes to optimize performance for different types of media workloads. The MediaGrid FSD intelligently uses client-side memory to adapt to formats to read ahead and store portions of media files before they are requested by the application, providing high-speed access to media.

The MediaGrid FSD has the ability to use solid state drives (SSD) present in the client system or workstation as a media cache. The SSD MediaCache feature provides users significant improvements to performance during editing activities, such as scrubbing or shuttling of content on a timeline, by caching content for any previously read files. Subsequent reads of the content will not be fetched over the network thus ensuring a seamless and smooth editing experience for the user.

Reliability and Availability

Shared storage is a critical resource in file-based workflows, and MediaGrid is built for the task. MediaGrid systems have no single point of failure, and leverage features such as dual active-active controllers with transparent failover, redundant data paths to protect against storage node failures, and transparent client failover to protect against controller failures. Software RAID options include RAID 4 and RAID 6, offering protection against unlikely events such as multiple drive failures within a RAID group.

In addition to the powerful fault resiliency capabilities of MediaGrid, the system is built to eliminate downtime associated with planned maintenance activities. Storage nodes can be added to the system while it is running, and no downtime is required for activities such as software and firmware upgrades.

To protect business-critical assets, MediaGrid offers an advanced disaster recovery configuration called Stretch Cluster. Data in a MediaGrid system can be transparently replicated across different physical locations on a campus while remaining under a single file system. In the event of a site outage, clients will transparently and automatically route to alternative storage, providing extreme levels of data and workflow protection. In addition, MediaGrid supports a RecycleBin functionality to protect data and files from accidental deletion.

World-Class Service and Support

MediaKind stands behind MediaGrid shared storage systems with comprehensive service and support programs, including system design, service deployment, technical support and network maintenance. World-class service plans and a global network of flexible and responsive support professionals help ensure your ability to deliver outstanding “anytime, anywhere, any-device” customer experiences.

MediaGrid BasePacks

To provide convenient configurations from which to build a MediaGrid system, several BasePacks are available. MediaGrid BasePacks are complete entry-level system configurations, and include two ContentDirectors, one ContentServer with 24 drives, and all system software.

Small BasePacks

Designed for regional news bureaus, small post production facilities and OB vehicles, MediaGrid is now available in a smaller, low cost package. Packages are based on a single ContentServer and a single non-redundant ContentDirector, with small storage capacity options. Users can take advantage of MediaGrid’s leading shared storage technology at a lower entry price. With the option to upgrade to a full MediaGrid system if needed.

MediaGrid Component Specifications

Component Environmental Specifications

System-Level Specifications

MediaKind MediaGrid 4000A system with ContentStore 4240 and 5840A storage expansion nodes