metaLAN

Optimal LAN server with clustering capabilities!

metaLAN is a block-level software initiator for Windows, Mac and Linux clients that establishes an efficient 1Gb or 10Gb LAN connection to a highly scalable cluster of servers made of any number of metaSAN, metaSAN iSCSI or metaLAN Server workstations. The more servers, the more performance is available to your LAN network. With metaLAN, all clients connect to a unified namespace and you benefit from dynamic load balancing and transparent failover. And while metaLAN is optimized for clustered applications, it also brings significant value to single server setups, such as superior block-level performance, bandwidth control and project workflow management.

Typical applications:

  • Massively scalable file servers for small and medium businesses
  • SD, R3D, DNxHD and Pro Res post-production server for film and video editing
  • Computational clusters for scientific applications and satellite imaging
  • School and educational video editing workgroups
  • LAN-based SAN with HA for 24/7 broadcast operations
  • Large-scale 3D animation and special fx render farms

How it works:

The ultimate role of a server is to efficiently transfer data from storage to multiple clients over IP. This is most often achieved through “re-sharing” a local drive using network file protocols such as SMB, AFP or NFS. These protocols operate over the universal TCP/IP layer. The speed at which data can be transferred depends on the performance of the storage, motherboard, NIC, network and choice of protocol. But even when all these components are optimal, you can run into a number of issues such as i/o bottleneck and network lags and there comes a time when you need more performance because your server has become a “hot spot”. Some protocols might also provide uneven performance between one OS and the other.

metaLAN uses a block-level technology that is similar to iSCSI. But instead of connecting a single client to a single target, it integrates the SAN arbitration technology that allows multiple metaLAN initiators to connect to a target “cluster” that is made of multiple computers running either metaSAN, metaSAN iSCSI or metaLAN Server. For increasing the performance of the cluster, you simply need more servers and more disks. The cluster acts as a massively scalable server.

Even when the cluster consists of a single server, metaLAN can offer significant benefits over iSCSI. For one, it integrates the arbitration logic so there is no need for additional SAN management software and the entire setup is greatly simplified. There is a single manufacturer supporting all operating systems, so performance is even. In addition, you benefit from bandwidth control and project management, including support for Avid. 

 
 
 
 

Massively Scalable - Access a cluster of servers through a single namespace
Overcome the traditional file servers limitations. Because they always sit between storage and clients, servers inevitably become bottlenecks and single point of failure. Connect multiple servers to a shared storage and easily create a “cluster” that can serve more clients with the same set of data.
 

Block-level Sharing - Feel the local drive behind
Enjoy a shared, block-level connection to your remote storage cluster from any LAN client. Instead of accessing a server location (i.e. \\server\share), metaLAN mounts like a local drive and provides block- and file-level sharing over TCPI/IP. You benefit from a persistent connection, dramatic increase in performance and smoother video playback.
 

Near Wire Speed and Minimal Latency - Increase LAN performance over TCP/IP connection
Leverage low-cost TCP/IP infrastructures without the overhead of file-level protocols such as SMB, AFP or NFS. metaLAN connections are easy to establish and you enjoy near wire speed performance. When accessing rich media, you can expect significant performance increase, lower latency and more sustained throughput than regular shares.
 

Perfect Balance - Dynamic load balancing distributes clients evenly
Maximize your network efficiency. Every metaLAN connection is dynamically routed through one of the available servers. Multiple LAN connections are continuously load balanced. This ensures that the cluster and the network are always used optimally, regardless of the number of active connections.
 

Seamless Cross-Platform Integration - Collaborate across Mac, Windows and Linux workstations
Unify your facility with a flexible, powerful and heterogeneous SAN. Let your Mac, Windows and Linux computers access the SAN transparently. There is no need for installing third-party software. metaSAN provides the file-system translation services that ensures equivalent performance across all platforms.
 

Per-node Bandwidth Usage - Avoid video drop frames across busy networks
Monitor, manage and allocate the available storage and network resources by assigning specific “reserves” and/or “quotas” to individual workstations. Bandwidth control (sometimes referred to as “throttling” or Quality-of-Service - QoS) ensures smooth video capture or playback, even when the network or storage is taxed.
 

High availability - Ensure maximum uptime with automatic failover
Avoid service disruption in case of hardware failure or scheduled maintenance. If your primary master fails - or is shut down, transparent failover will take place. As soon as a new master is elected, your transactions resume. In most cases, the failover completes in seconds and is transparent to users and applications.
 

Access Control and User Authentication - Use Active Directory or Open Directory - your choice
Control who can access what files and folders the same way you control access on local drives. By default, metaSAN provides unrestricted access to all connected users, but can easily be configured to authenticate against either Active Directory or Open Directory. Mac users can even authenticate against Active Directory for tight cross-platform integration.
 

Open Architecture - Save money by remaining vendor independent
Choose among - or combine - the finest and latest interconnect and storage technologies based on either Fibre Channel, iSCSI, AoE, PCIe, Infiniband or 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet. With storage capacity requirements estimated to double every 12 months, this freedom ensures your storage costs won’t be skyrocketing with your hands tied to any storage provider.
 

Flexible Backup and Archiving - Choose between a wide range of nearline and tape-based solutions
Backup and archive your SAN to nearline storage or off-line tape libraries. metaSAN works with most storage management software that leverage HFS+ and NTFS file systems. Key storage partners have made their application fully metaSAN-aware.
 

Dashboard Management - Get a bird’s eye view of your SAN in real time
Open the metaSAN Dashboard from any connected workstation to visualize your entire SAN/LAN infrastructure. See which machines are online; which are mastering the SAN; how full your storage storage is and what connections are established; etc. You can also collect performance statistics to see how throughput is distributed and used.
 

Simple to Use - Reduce operating expenses with user friendly technology
Maintain your own setup. Configuring a cluster of servers can be a daunting task, but metaLAN makes it easy. By leveraging existing HFS+ or NTFS file systems, metaLAN eliminates the need for configuring complex clustered file systems. This approach enables regular disk utilities to be used for maintaining or repairing a damaged file system.
 

Centralized Client Licensing - Simplify license management
Manage licences on your server. There is no need to worry about freelances or others leaving with valuable licenses. You can install the metaLAN initiator on as many computers as you wish. You easily control the IP addresses of the clients that are authorized to connect to your cluster.
 

Safe, Secure and Dependable - Trust a mature file system to store your data
Rely on NTFS and HFS+ file systems to safeguard your data; like millions do. metaSAN doesn’t write directly: every file access undergoes standard OS calls and i/o services. And with metaSAN taking regular metadata snapshots of your file system, it is probably even safer to store on metaSAN than it is on a regular NTFS or HFS+ volume.
 

Perpetual vs. 1 Year Licenses - Choose the purchasing model that is right for you
Use Perpetual licenses if you like to “acquire” your software, or choose 1 Year licenses if, like many governmental, educational and corporate organizations, you prefer an annual licensing model. The 1 Year model also makes it easier to add or remove licenses as you go; and lets you save upfront and work with a constant budget, year after year.
 

24/7 Hotline and Upgrades - Contact our professional support at all time
Minimize downtime by ensuring you’re always eligible for professional email and phone support. When acquiring Perpetual licenses, you get one year of Subscription at no extra charge (additional years of Subscription can be purchased at 30% of the product’s SRP pricing). When opting for the Annual licensing model, you are always covered.
 
 
 
 

Tiger Technology recommends using multi-port NIC with link aggregation on the server(s).

Check metaSAN System Requirements for other recommendations.

 
 
 
 

There are many ways to integrate metaLAN clients using either metaLAN Server or metaSAN servers. Here are some of the most popular setups. Click on the link below to see various SAN configurations:

Microsoft Windows centric LAN cluster

This setup offers transparent failover and load balancing.

Mac OS centric LAN cluster

This setup offers transparent failover and load balancing.

Mixed SAN/LAN workgroup

Use Fibre Channel where you need high performance. Use Ethernet everywhere else.

Virtualization for media sharing in Avid workgroups (Windows)

This setup allows multiple Avid workstations to simultaneously share access to the same media files.