Tech Watch

Aug 1, 2007 12:00 PM

The demand for digital video storage has exploded with proliferation of the amount of digital data captured by video surveillance applications. Many users are choosing to retain their video data for longer periods of time, thus requiring even more high-capacity, scalable storage. Here are some of the video storage systems available. Note: If you're struggling with the acronyms, see our video storage “cheat sheet” on page 8 for a refresher on storage terms.

Storage Servers

STORE VIDEO IN SAN, NAS AND DAS CONFIGURATIONS

The Cisco Video Surveillance Storage System, formerly the BroadWare Storage Series, includes an internal storage model and two fiber channel storage models. The internal storage unit offers a gross capacity of 0.12- to 18-TB. The F Series fiber channel unit stores 1.7- to 10.5-TB of video with a RAID 5 capacity of 1.4- to 9-TB. The D Series fiber channel unit stores 7- to 31.5-TB of video with a RAID 5 capacity of 6- to 27-TB. Video can be stored in loops, one-time archives or event clips triggered by alarm systems. Users have online access to video that is 100 times faster than tape. The system is scalable to fit changing storage requirements. Video Surveillance Storage System, Cisco (cisco.com) Circle No. 1 or visit securitysolutions.com/productinfo.

Rugged Hard Drive

BUILT FOR EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS

The EE25.2 Series 2.5-in. hard disc drive from Seagate Technology is designed for digital storage needs in extreme environment (EE) applications. It offers up to 80-GB of video and data storage through a high-speed SATA interface in locations plagued by hostile temperatures, unpredictable vibrations and shock, high altitudes and humid conditions. The unit has an operating temperature range of -22 to 185 degrees F; it is specified to operate 16,400-ft. above sea level — but has been taken well beyond that during testing — and has an operating vibration tolerance of 150-Gs at 11 milliseconds. The drive has been tested for continuous operation in 90 percent humidity. It is designed for year-round operation in mobile surveillance and data collection applications. EE25.2 Series, Seagate Technology (seagate.com) Circle No. 2 or visit securitysolutions.com/productinfo.

Storage Servers

OFFER CHANGEABLE RAID AND STORAGE VOLUME LEVELS

The Pivot3 RAIGE Storage Cluster uses IP-based storage architecture that runs a RAIGE, or RAID Across Independent Gigabit Ethernet, operating system. Users can add multiple storage servers, or “databanks,” to the architecture, forming a storage cluster that protects stored data across connected databanks. As databanks are added to the cluster, the stored data is spread out and re-balanced across multiple servers where it can be accessed simultaneously. The system also uses a multi-path driver to distribute traffic across the databanks and to protect against loss of connectivity in any of the servers. Each databank contains twelve 500- or 750-GB drives, for a capacity of 6- or 9-TB. RAIGE Storage Cluster, Pivot3 Inc. (pivot3.com) Circle No. 3 or visit securitysolutions.com/productinfo.

RAID Storage Devices

USEFUL FOR RECORDING AT THE EDGE

The iSCSI RAID storage devices from Bosch Security Systems can be used to add storage to a system by plugging them directly into the network. The devices use the iSCSI protocol. Video is recorded at the edge, traveling directly from the IP camera or encoder to the storage hard disks with no NVR, NVR software or a Microsoft operating system to manage. Users also do not have to install patches or virus updates. Up to 6-TB of audio and video can be recorded and stored on a RAID 5 disk array without any of the data touching a user's network. iSCSI RAID Storage, Bosch Security Systems (boschsecurity.us/ip) Circle No. 4 or visit securitysolutions.com/productinfo.

Rackmount Storage System

TO CONSOLIDATE STORAGE AND PROTECT DATA

The NBOD, or networked bunch of disks, system from Zetera Corp. gives the benefits of a SAN with the simplicity of DAS. Each NBOD 4-TB capacity unit can be allocated to one or more servers and can support four SATA 1 or SATA 2 disks. Users have flexibility to add capacity and scale their systems by plugging additional NBOD units into any available LAN port. The NBOD disks are hot-swappable and offer RAID protection inside a single enclosure and on volumes that span several enclosures. The system includes Windows Personal Storage Manager software. NBOD 1100 Rackmount System, Zetera Corp. (zetera.com) Circle No. 5 or visit securitysolutions.com/productinfo.

Stackable Storage Systems

SUPPORT UNLIMITED STORAGE CAPABILITIES

The 5000 series storage systems from Steelbox Networks are built to process and store hundreds of video streams simultaneously. Three models provide 1- to 18-TB of video storage and occupy 2U, 4U and 6U of rack space, respectively. Each unit is supported by its own power supply, processor, memory and I/O system resource. The modules attach to Steelbox's 2000 and 3000 controllers to form a video-switching matrix and storage system. 5200, 5400, 5600 Storage System, Steelbox Networks (steelbox.com) Circle No. 6 or visit securitysolutions.com/productinfo.

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