【Inter BEE 2015】Networld and IBM Japan showing all-flash SAN storage and next-generation tape solutions. FLAPE provides a new workflow for the 8K future.

2015.11.12 UP

IBM FlashSystem for ultra-high-speed shared storage.

IBM FlashSystem for ultra-high-speed shared storage.

TS1150 Tape Drive boasts 10 TB capacity.

TS1150 Tape Drive boasts 10 TB capacity.

TS4500 Tape Library supports a maximum capacity of 15 PM.

TS4500 Tape Library supports a maximum capacity of 15 PM.

IBM Japan's Shinobu Fujihara (left) and Networld's Asako Takeuchi.

IBM Japan's Shinobu Fujihara (left) and Networld's Asako Takeuchi.

Networld and IBM Japan will show at Inter BEE 2015 (Hall 3, Booth 3104) during November 18th (Wed.) to 20th (Fri.) at Makuhari Messe. The booth will feature FLAPE storage solutions combining flash memory and tape. Solutions include the IBM FlashSystem for ultra-high-speed shared storage geared for 4K/8K editing and archiving solutions for 4K/8K. The archiving solutions have IBM's latest tape library controlled by a Cisco server. This was made possible by Networld, the distributor for IBM and Cisco. They will demonstrate an automated archival system that uses a robot arm automatically installing and removing 10 TB JD tape cartridges.

■ Since its architecture exceeds the performance of SSDs, the IBM FlashSystem makes 8K video editing more efficient.
As 4K video becomes more mainstream, preparation for 8K awaits in the next phase. In addition to investing in 4K, making new investments in 8K is major burden. IBM's approach is to have 8K investments for the next phase also include 4K compatibility. The technology key word for this is "FLAPE." Combining the high speed of flash memory with the low cost of tape, FLAPE helps to optimize the movie production workflow for shooting, editing, and archiving. The booth will display the latest editing and archiving solutions for 8K.
One of the solutions is the IBM FlashSystem, an ultra-high-speed shared storage enabling 4K/8K editing. The main feature is its ability to read 10 GB of data per second even as a mere 2U unit. This high performance exceeds the 8K DPX 60p real-time transfer speed of 8 GB per second. It makes 4K/8K editing, which SSD struggles with, more efficient.
This high performance is made possible by all-flash SAN storage incorporating IBM's own architecture. The unit's controller has everything. Expandable by adding memory modules. Since the controller consolidates everything, the undesirable command processing overhead due to a parallel SSD can be avoided. IBM Japan's Shinobu Fujihara boasts, "Although the exterior looks like an SSD, it is something totally different. The booth will show the IBM FlashSystem with the memory module exposed so you can also see the innards."

■ TS1150 Tape Drive enables 360 MB per second transfer of uncompressed data.
As the latest archiving solutions for enterprises, the TS1150 Tape Drive and TS4500 Tape Library will be displayed.
Since the TS1150 Tape Drive uses LTFS (Linear Tape File System), it can be operated like a disc while the files are manipulated on tape. The capacity is 10 TB, and the continuous data transfer speed is 360 MB per second (with uncompressed data). Fujihara explains, "Since the 3592 JD tape cartridge's capacity is 10 TB, it can easily accommodate 7 TB which is equivalent to one hour of 4K DPX 10-bit 60p footage. Movie clips can be saved as files and it can also serve as a compact delivery medium."

■ TS4500 Tape Library combined with a Cisco server to be displayed as a proven model.
There is also the TS4500 Tape Library that can accommodate typical LTO drives and the TS1150 Tape Drive. By using the TS1150 Tape Drive and 10TB JD tape cartridge together, they can support a capacity up to 15 PB while occupying only two square meters of space. "This can accommodate 55,000 hours of 4K XAVC 60p files," according to Fujihara.
With the cooperation of Networld, the TS4500 Tape Library has become part of a system controlled by a 2U unit Cisco server. Networld is the only distributor in Japan for both IBM and Cisco. Networld's Asako Takeuchi explains, "We incorporated the product strengths of both companies into a solution and have made various evaluations."
The products displayed have already been evaluated or proven. They have detailed measurement data on how much performance can be obtained under whatever conditions. Fujihara says, "Please visit our booth and talk to us. We are prepared to give detailed answers about 4K/8K video read/write performance and more." By using a proven model as the base, the need for expanded functionality and tuning can be met quickly and flexibly.
Besides the Networld booth, IBM Japan will also have product demonstrations at ASTRODESIGN (Hall 3, Booth 3406) and Grass Valley (Hall 2, Booth 2311). It will demonstrate 4K/8K program production systems that use next-generation tape solutions and show new workflows using FLAPE.
Using the cloud as a part of FLAPE will be the next thing. A solution to make the 4K/8K video media set management more efficient by hooking up with IBM's SoftLayer cloud service is being evaluated.