Procedure for using the new

Aber-NAS Video Storage Device

Over the Summer of 2009 we FINALLY were able to add the much-awaited Aberdeen 3.2Tb (that’s 3,200Gb) Network Attached Storage (Aber-NAS) device which uses 8 drives combined in such a way to create what appears to be a single, very large drive. 

For those of you that might be interested, here is some basic technical information about the Aber-NAS.  It has a pair of main operating system drives running Windows 2003 Storage Server R2 that constantly "mirror" from the primary to secondary drive.  Should the primary drive fail, the secondary drive takes over.  The 8 video drives are configured in such a way that if a single drive fails, the system is able to recreate the missing data and continue to function but at a somewhat reduced speed.  When the failed drive is replaced, the system restores the information necessary to incorporate that drive back into the array.  There are two power supplies, with either one capable of operating the system.  With 12 internal cooling fans, again several of them can fail and still keep the unit cool.  And to get all of this computing power to the Premiere workstations, it uses a pair of "teamed" 1.0Gb LAN connections for maximum data transfer across our newly upgraded network.  Even with all this redundancy, it does not relieve you of insuring your projects and raw video are safely stored on another media.   The Aber-NAS is located in "Old Master" just above the 48 port, 1Gb switch installed recently.   With this, our television facility LAN upgrade is now complete. 
 

IMPORTANT NOTE

Any video or project files found ANYWHERE on any Premiere workstation "C:" drive will now be deleted.  Be warned. 

FIRST STEP:  Every Tech TV student must re-register at the beginning of each semester on the camcorder checkout system website at broadcast.atu.edu in order to use any Premiere workstation.  Your ”T” number and password, as entered in the checkout registration system, will be used to create and give you access to your folder on the Aber-NAS “V:” drive.  This folder will be good (hopefully) for your entire time at Tech. 

SECOND STEP:  You can log on at any Premiere workstations much like in the Library.  Just enter your “T” number (8 numbers only) and the password you entered in our checkout database.  We are NOT connected to the Tech domain, so any password changes you make here or there will NOT be reflected in the other domain.  Once you are logged in on the system you can change your desktop around as you like.  Items changed should return the next time you sit down at any workstation because of your “roaming profile”. 

When you log on, Premiere automatically starts up using a preset “default” project.  This will insure that your instance will be properly set up for our use.  You can not overwrite this default project; therefore you must first off do a “save as” and then enter the name you want to use for this project.  You will be automatically connected to your personal folder on the "V:" drive where you will see your name as the first folder  You do not need to open the folder with your name, that's just so you will know you are in the proper folder when you sit down to work.  If you do not see your name folder, contact the George or Jessie before proceeding.  It is strongly suggested that you create multiple folders under your root folder for each project and don't forget to change your "Scratch Disk" for this new folder under Preferences before proceeding.  If you don't change the Preferences for Scratch Disk, your files will be wherever you last saved files.  When you go to delete a folder, you may very well delete files that you did not intend on deleting.  If done properly,  you can easily delete folders and files in them that are safe to delete. 

STORAGE QUOTA:  Speaking of cleaning up, each user has an individual, system-imposed maximum folder capacity.  As you approach this limit, you will be warned.  If you ignore this warning and continue, ultimately exceeding your personal limit, you will not be allowed to save ANYTHING (including your current project file) until you free up some space. Initially, this will be a respectable size, but as we get a handle on the trend, it may become necessary to reduce this size to accommodate growth.  So, it will be up to you to keep your folders cleaned up to avoid hitting this ceiling.  Again, we remind you to capture only the area of video you expect to use.  You can always capture additional footage if necessary.  If you capture a lot of useless video, it will only eat away at your quota and cause you problems later.  If you are locked out and after deleting old files, you must reset your Preferences >> Scratch Disks back to “V:“ before editing again or contact George or Jessie for assistance.  If you don't your files/projects could be scattered everywhere. 

SHARED FOLDER:  This folder, as its name implies, is a folder designated as a place where anyone can put files that may be needed by others.  Simply COPY the file found there to your folder before beginning to edit.  PLEASE use descriptive filenames that others will recognize.  You can only add files to or copy files from this folder -- you can not delete or edit anything found here.  This will come in handy if you are working on a group class project as outlined below.  This folder is only a temporary repository and will be purged from time to time without regard to content.   

LOGGING OFF:  This is one thing that MUST be done.  Unlike in the past where everybody used one of two accounts, there will now be possibly over 100 active user accounts on the domain each semester.  If you sit down to a machine and see a normal desktop, Premiere or any other program running, immediately LOG OFF whoever walked away leaving their session open.  If you don’t and start to edit, your project may be lost forever in somebody else’s folder. 

GROUP PROJECTS:  When you are assigned to be in a "group" by your instructor, you will receive login information from that instructor.  Each group will have their own folder which will NOT be connected to any personal or other group folders.  If you have video in your personal folder that is needed for the group, it will need to be copied from your personal folder to the "Shared Folder" first and then under the group logon, copied from the "Shared Folder" to the group folder.  Now the file is ready for use. 

EDIROL:  When you export your package to Edirol, you MUST give it a descriptive filename that everyone will understand.  Cryptic, or incomplete filenames used in the past, have created numerous problems during show prep and are subject to deletion. 

EZ NEWS:  As before, EZ News is accessible from the Editors as well to provide additional workstations.  Each workstation will be required to log on to EZ News and must use its own unique logon which is shown on each monitor.