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Help with Fibre-Channel and connection setup

Hi all,

I work with a digital video editing company. I need to get large digital files from
clients and also offer them the ability to get the finished files from me faster
than snail mail or courier.

It has been suggested to me to setup an On-line server for FTP access(ftp.mydomain.com),
that way clients can upload and/or download. This seems like a good idea, though I'm
trying to figure out the best way as far as hardware (storage) and network
connection speed.

Storage:

I'm thinking to setup a main unit with win2k and ftp software, install an HBA
and buy a Fibre-Channel enclosure on Ebay to connect to it(RAID 5). That way I can add
if needed. I'm going to also install an HBA into my editing unit and attatch through
a FC HUB so I can get the files to my other machine.

Network connection:

I have an ADSL connection to the net right now. I know I'm going to need more, I
just don't know what connection I should get. ie: ADSL 640kb upstream/4MB down, T1 etc.

Question:

This all seems straightforward in theory, What do I really need to do here in order for this to work?

Also would anyone have comments on getting this all setup for this to work properly?

I really need some guidance here, any and all suggestions would be really appreciated.

Thanks

SOLUTION

durindil

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mrlink

ASKER

Thanks for your reply,

If I understand you correctly, a Fibre Channel setup will be more expensive than setting up a Gigabit Ethernet over copper setup. Unfortunately I don't have the great skills to put this together, I'm confident with PC hardware and configuration on 10/100 w/hubs, though, giga ethernet is something new for me.

This is a really small setup (3 machines) so far and the FTP/storage server will be seperate.

To start off this new idea, we do have a 3.0 GHZ machine sitting around here that can take an SATA RAID card and some drives.

starting from our ADSL modem what would we need here?
Could you give me an outline of the components I would need to have/buy in order to start this giga ethernet.

Thanks

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

mapledrums

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mapledrums

Thanks for the grade.

qlgc

Dear User,
I favor the FC choice, due to its scalability. Although your bottleneck remains your A(symetrical)DSL for Upload.
If you choose the right FC components it is plug and play. Looks like conceptualy you find the FC solution easier,
and righty so. Its ironic cause majority of us have more experience with Ethernet. Compatabiliy and price is key in FC.
I find QLogic HBAs and Managemnt tools easy to play with. I would also use a cheap FC Switch instead of hub, McData for new
Switches would be my choice. Sphereon 4300. Used Brocade 1GBs would also do the job, given you get all the licenses. Also used Qlogic/Ancor Swtiches can found for cheap. They are less compatible with all the Storage, but you don't need to worry about
having the correct licenses. A cheap SATA to FC raid provides cheap FC Raid solution with SATA disks.
Keep in touch. Have you tought about Load balancing between cable and DSL to get cheap upload bandwidtch, specialy at night.

Best Regards.