DDPV5TechnicalGuideWebGui

December 17, 2019

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Contents
1 DDPTechnical Guide 8

2 What is in the DDP? 8

3 DDP serial numbers 8

4 The V3, V4 and V4 File system 8

5 The new V5 File system 9

6 Web based Graphical User Interface 10

6.1 Starting the Web interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

7 Desktops 12
7.1 Using DDP with Avid Applications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
7.1.1 To set the desktop to AvidFS on Windows . . . . . . . . 13
7.1.2 To disable AvidFS on the Windows desktop . . . . . . . . 14
7.1.3 To set the Mac to AvidFS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
7.1.4 To check whether AvidFs has been properly installed on
Mac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
7.1.5 To disable AvidFS on Mac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
7.2 Using UNC on Windows with ddpvolume and foldervolumes . . . 15
7.2.1 Using UNC with Avid compatibility . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
7.2.2 Using UNC without Avid compatibility . . . . . . . . . . 16
7.3 Force Disconnect/Force Unmount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
7.4 No Cache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

8 Network 18
8.1 Bonding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

9 Users 20
9.1 To add a user do the following: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
9.2 To add foldervolumes to a user: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
9.3 To add extra options to the user: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
9.4 Admin can disable a user as follows: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
9.5 Enlarging the user display window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

10 Groups 22
10.1 To add a Group: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
10.2 To add users to a Group: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
10.3 To add foldervolumes to a Group: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
10.4 To enlarge the group display window . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

11 Connect page 24
11.1 Mounting/Unmounting ddpvolume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
11.1.1 Hard Readonly Mounting of ddpvolume . . . . . . . . . . 25
11.2 Mounting/Unmounting FolderVolumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

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 11.2.1 Hard Readonly Mounting of foldervolumes . . . . . . . . . 26
11.2.2 Automount . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
11.3 When using ddpvolume? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
11.4 When to use Foldervolumes? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

12 Creating a Foldervolume 29
12.1 Create a Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
12.2 Folder to Foldervolume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
12.3 Assign Data Location and Cache Method to a Foldervolume . . . 30
12.4 Assign a Quota to the Foldervolume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
12.5 Data Location, Capacity and Quota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
12.6 Recalculate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
12.7 Access Rights on a Foldervolume: Edit Access . . . . . . . . . . . 32
12.7.1 Collaborating on the same project: example Media Com-
poser . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
12.7.2 Access rights using desktop names . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
12.7.3 Changing access rights at root level . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
12.8 Renaming a foldervolume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
12.9 Removing Foldervolume1 and Foldervolume2 . . . . . . . . . . . 36
12.10Benefits of Foldervolumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
12.10.1 Avid edit applications and one namespace . . . . . . . . . 36
12.10.2 Additional Foldervolume vs Folder benefits . . . . . . . . 36

13 Tableview 37
13.1 Sorting of Desktops and Folder volumes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
13.2 Selecting multiple Desktops and Folder volumes . . . . . . . . . . 37
13.3 Searching for Desktops and Folder volumes . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
13.4 Selecting R/W, Readonly, R/W No Delete . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

14 DDP Volumes 38
14.1 Visible . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
14.2 Archiware, Backup, Archive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
14.3 SMB Export . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
14.3.1 Selecting shares on a Mac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
14.3.2 Selecting shares on Windows 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
14.3.3 Selecting shares on Windows 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
14.3.4 Selecting share on RedHat Enterprise Edition . . . . . . . 43
14.4 Status, Capacity, Free, Comment, Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

15 DDP Folders 43

16 Profile 44

17 R/W Limiting 44

18 Admin Pwd 46

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19 Trash and Recycle Bin 47
19.1 Trash folder on Mac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
19.2 Recycle bin on Windows Vista, 7, 8 and 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

20 LDAP 48

21 Storage 48
21.1 Using the SSD Cache to ingest/copy to using iSCSI/AVFS . . . . 49
21.2 Caching from spindles to SSD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
21.3 Changing the Data Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
21.4 Cache Priority . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
21.5 Clear and Clear Cache . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
21.6 How to use Consolidate? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

22 Masterview 52

23 Task Manager 53

24 Event Log 53

25 Raid Check 53
25.1 When having LSI raidcards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
25.2 When having Areca raidcards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

26 Verify/Repair 54

27 Users Active 55

28 Utility 56

29 Info 56

30 Icon Size 56

31 Archiware 56
31.1 Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

32 E-mails 58
32.1 From . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
32.2 SMTP Server . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
32.3 Send Event Notifications to the following Email addresses. . . . . 58
32.4 Send Information about the Background Processes to the follow-
ing Email addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

33 Quota 60
33.1 How to change Quota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

34 Date/Time 61

35 Language 64

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36 DNS 64

37 Gateway 64

38 Installers 64

39 UPS 66

40 Connections 67

41 Raidcards 68

42 Failing Disk with LSI raidcard 71

42.1 To silence the beeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
42.2 To Identify a drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
42.3 To insert a spare drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
42.4 To reinsert the existing drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

43 Failing Disk with Areca Raidcard 73

43.1 To Identify a drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
43.2 To insert a spare drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
43.3 To reinsert the existing drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
43.4 To silence the beeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

44 Nagios 74

45 Remote Diag 74

46 Pwrd/Restart 78

47 DDP Monitor 78
47.1 Event Notifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
47.2 Background Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
47.3 Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
47.4 Data Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
47.4.1 Capacity Calculation and Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

48 How to get on the internet also 80

49 Intelligent Platform Management Interface, IPMI 80

50 Firewall Protection 80

51 Service Connection or Teamviewer? 80

51.1 DDP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
51.2 Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
51.3 Each ethernet port on the DDP must be a unique subnet . . . . 81
51.4 Autosensing or not . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
51.5 A 1GbE infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

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 51.6 An all 10 and up GbE infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
51.7 1 GbE switch with 10 or higher GbE uplink . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
51.8 Flow Control, Bandwidth Limiting, Traffic Control and Switch
buffer Overrun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
51.9 Subnet and VLAN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
51.10Teaming, Bonding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
51.11Firewall Protection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
51.12V5 and Clusters and Transparant Failover Solutions . . . . . . . 84
51.13Desktop drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
51.14Useful . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

List of Figures
1 DDP WebGui . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
2 Desktop page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
3 OneDesktopNotInAvidFsMode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
4 V5Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
5 V5Network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
6 Users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
7 Groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
8 Connect page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
9 Two ways to login . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
10 Two ways to loginMac . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
11 Edit Access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
12 Edit Access select . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
13 Folders for the Workflow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
14 V5Tableview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
15 DDP Volumes Page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
16 RWLimiting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
17 AdminLogin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
18 StorageLogic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
19 Storage Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
20 Masterview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
21 ConsistencyCheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
22 RaidCheck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
23 Archiware2Ddpvolume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
24 Email Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
25 Quota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
26 DDPTimeserver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
27 UpS from APC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
28 Connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
29 LSIRaidcardEventLog . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
30 RaidCardPageLSI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
31 EventNotification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
32 Raidcards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73
33 NagiosLSIRaidcard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

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34 DDP WebGui . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

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1 DDPTechnical Guide
Before using this manual please use the V5 Mac, Windows, Linux Technical In-
staller Guide to install the DDP drivers on at least one desktop first. Operating
the DDP is via the the DDP Web based Graphical User Interface. Today each
DDP is delivered with one virtual file system, called ddpvolume. Ddpvolume
covers any storage which is there now or will be added as SSD or HD packs,
DDPEX systems or DDPs. DDP works with the concept of foldervolumes.
These are folders with volume properties so that they can be mounted as a
volumes and also behave as directories or folders within ddpvolume or within a
parent foldervolume.
Currently there can be a total of 512 connections in V5. This
includes also the internal Archiware and SMB connections.

2 What is in the DDP?

DDPs have an X8, X9 or X10 super micro mainboard with two Xeons and RAM
and today instead of dual 1GbE ethernet ports they have dual 10GbE/RJ45
ports, switchable between 1 and 10GbE. Some DDP’s older then 5 years may
have a S5520 Intel mainboard. Each DDP has an internal USB dongle mounted
for capacity en software protection. DDP’s starting with V4 have their operating
system on a RAID10 Dom set (Disk on Module). This includes more or less
everything also the Postgress database but not files nor file system. Upgrading
from V3 to V4 is destructive. This is unfortunate but a necessary step for us.

3 DDP serial numbers

The serial nr of each DDP can be found at the back of the DDP. It is in the
format 0x-ddmmyy. So 01-140517 means that that is a DDP from May 14,
2017.
The serial number can also be found in the Info page when the DDP is
manufactured after June 2016. Whenever you want to ask information or for
every service call reporting the serial number is mandatory. The serial is our
only way to find the DDP in our management system.

4 The V3, V4 and V4 File system

DDP uses a Debian Linux distribution in V5 DDP’s with kernel version: 3.18.9.
To see which version: you can logon to the DDP with uname -a.
DDPs are ethernet SAN system. They use iSCSI for data transport and
AVFS, the Ardis Virtual File System, for the metadata.
Until mid 2016 DDPs were delivered with V3 software. Underneath AVFS
the filesystem used was HFS+. Each DDP volume had its own file system
like on a normal volume. The last V3 software version supported until then
was V3.00.032. So V3 DDPs still out there should at least have this version
installed. There are customers with a software support contract using V3. We

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can diagnose a problem via our remote connection and advise. When it is a
software bug we will advise to change to V4/V5.
From mid 2016 until Q1 2019 DDP’s were delivered with V4. Starting with
V4 there is only one file system, called ddpvolume and locations which hold raw
data called Data Locations. DDP’s are delivered with the file system created and
customer solely work with folder volumes. Either ddpvolume (the file system)
can be mounted or folder volumes. When ddpvolume is mounted folder volumes
show up as regular folders. V4 uses a stripped down version of XFS plus a
key/value database for the file system. V4 is driver compatible with V3. With
V4 Data Locations must be within a DDP.
From Q2 2019 onwards we released V5 and delivered DDP’s with V5 in-
stalled for new DDP customers. V5 is not driver compatible with V3. So
customers with a V3 DDP buying a new DDP need to either change their V3
DDP to V4/V5 or remain at V4.01.019 version for the time being.
V5 although compatible with V4 largely differs again. The file system now
only lives in the AVFS server and does not show up on the desktop. Instead the
AVFS client includes a raid driver and manages the virtual file system presen-
tation so that ddpvolume and folder volumes show up on Mac, Windows and
Linux (mapping). The AVFS file system is contained in a key/value database
for the inodes, names, parent and attributes and a btree database holding the
directory tree structure. The key/value database with 30 miljoen files an fold-
ers only has a size of less then 10 GB. These are stored in the DOM set and
DDP underneath dummy xattr in Volumes/ddpvolume. The key/value database
is important because directories and bitmaps can be reconstructed from that.
The file system is a 100 GB partition on a raid set. Currently each morning a
copy is made of the databases to the DOM set (for this to happen at least one
internal connection should be there, one mount so that the file system from the
disk partition is accessible). There is also a Postgress database which hold non
file system data, practically all parameters showing via the web interface. Data
Location can now be in different DDP’s or also third party storage arrays. All
components of the file system are in house developed. This step was taken to
develop our transparant failover solution.

5 The new V5 File system

Access of folder volumes directly on the DDP is only possible by se-
lecting the /Archiware/ddpvolume path. Make sure that the Archi-
ware active box is checked in the ddpvolume page. The metadata
(filesystem) and data in V5 DDPs are maintained separately with
the data in Data Locations. Action on the V5 file system are only
allowed via the metadata controller AVFS via the web interface. Ac-
tions performed after logging on to the Linux DDP operating system
which involve accessing ddpvolume via /Volumes/ddpvolume can cor-
rupt the system. They lead to inconsistences and DDP crashes and
will need ddpvolume repair via service connection. Also attempts
to install Archiware via an Archiware server can corrupt the system.

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How to install new versions of Archiware is explained in the Installers
section.
The path /Volumes/ddpvolume on the DDP now contains solely file system
information.

6 Web based Graphical User Interface

To start the web interface make sure that your desktop has one of the following
web browsers with their current version number.
Microsoft Edge. Internet Explorer 10. Firefox 11+. Chrome 19+. Safari
6+. Opera 12.10+.

Figure 1: DDP WebGui

When you do not see icons and fonts using internet explorer then
use one of the other browsers instead.
Also new icon design is part of a V5 installation. After upgradfing to V5 youi
may need to clear the web browser’s history to have the web interface properly
working. The V5 webinterface software now only displays data and does not
contain any logic as such anymore. The webserver uses a Qt model concept
plus additional functionality to service data which the web browser needs. In
practise this no means that the display speed of the web interface does not depend
on the amount of attributes which need to be displayed.

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6.1 Starting the Web interface
It is assumed that there is an ethernet connection between the desktop and
NIC1 on the DDP and that the desktop is also in the DDP NIC1 default
172.16.5.4/255.255.0.0 subnet settings.

• Start the web browser.

• Type the DDP address: 172.16.5.4 in the url of the webbrowser. This may
also be the IP address which was entered on this desktop to communicate with
the DDP via iSCSI/AVFS.

• Press Enter.
• Type Username: admin.
• Type Password: initial. These are the factory set administrator name and
password.

The Home page of the DDP web interface should show up. The interface
has three sections. On the left there is the DDP monitor with the raidcard
event notification indicator, the background process indicator, performance pa-
rameters and a pie showing real time Data Location’s capacities. In the middle
the DDP functions can be found. Each icon in the middle section represents a
DDP page. The Connect page for example is the page where the Desktop icons
and a selection of the ddpvolume and foldervolume icons are shown. On the
righthand side the Workflow Manager with access rights is shown. First thing
to do now is to configure desktops and network.
Although the icons are identical with both V3 and V4 DDP’s. There are
already the following differences between V4 and V3:

• The pie now shows Data Location instead of Drive Group.

• There is a new icon called Storage Manager
• There is a new icon called Masterview
• There is a ne icon called Task Manager
• There is a button Show/Hide System drives in the Utility page
• There is always a user called smbuser
• There is always a user called archiware
• Desktop page shows lines when arrow is selected
• You can not create a DDP volume anymore
• The Verify/Repair page does not function anymore
• The info page now show the serial nr

Command to restart the web server: Command (at DDP shell):

killall DDPWebServer

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7 Desktops
This is done in the Desktop page by pressing the Desktops icon. Because we
use iSCSI as block IO communication the desktop name prefix is iqn. So the
format is iqn.desktopname.

• Select Add.

• Enter xxx where xxx is the desktop name. The desktop name must be the
same name which was or is going to be entered in iSCSIPrefs on Mac and during
AVFS driver installation on Windows and Linux.

• If this desktop is meant for indexing or backup or archiving or other

administrative tasks which involves running through directories and the
DDP has an SSD cache no cache should be selected. The no cache op-
tion when applied on or off because active when mounting the ddpvolume or
foldervolume(s).

• Press Apply.

• Restart the desktop.

• After restart, login again and select the Connect page. The desktop icon in
the Connect page should be active (not greyed out) and have a green boundary.

Figure 2: Desktop page

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 In V4 and V5 when you select a desktop and then click on the arrow in the
pane below the iqn connections to the Data Locations show including the folder
volume connection

7.1 Using DDP with Avid Applications

Ardis Technologies has selected tools so that Avid editors can share bins, media
and project using the DDP in the most convenient manner. We will discuss the
procedure how to set this up separately for Windows and Mac.
Make sure both DDP and Desktops are connected to a time server
or have identical time by using the DDP as time server Having a
firewall active on the desktop may influence the speed with which
one work with Avid edit applications
Each desktop whether it is Mac or Windows when working with Avid edit
applications must have AvidFs mode switched on. When following the proce-
dures below for each desktop the Avid MediaFiles directories are created for
each desktop separately. When there is a mxf/1 folder it means that one desk-
top is not in AvidFs mode. This situation causes Avid edit crashes and possibly
other inconvenience. So when you see this structure please install the proper
driver, move the mxf files to the proper mediafiles directory and delete then
mxf/1.

7.1.1 To set the desktop to AvidFS on Windows

• Make sure the AVFS driver is already installed.
• Copy the setupArdisDDPExtras-x64-SecureBoot.exe or .zip to the desk-
top.
• Unzip and double click the .exe and press Run.
• From components to install: select Avid Compatibility and when required
also UNC Support.Applications such as for example from EVS use UNC.
• Restart the Desktop.
Let us check if the procedure has been done correctly. First connect a
foldervolume to your desktop.
• Select My Computer.
• Select the foldervolume.
• Right mouse click: “Properties”. It should show AVIDFS.
On a Mac is it possible to use an Avid storage (ISIS, Nexis) and
DDP in AVidFs mode simultaneously on the same desktop. With
Windows when you already have an Avid storage system the DDP can only be
used with the FsName set to AVFS.
The AvidFs file type set on the desktops can be used with any
application on the desktop Make sure that UAC is switched off when
working with Avid edit applications

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 Figure 3: OneDesktopNotInAvidFsMode

7.1.2 To disable AvidFS on the Windows desktop

• Select Control Panel then Programs and then Uninstall a program.

• Select setupArdisDDPExtras-x64.

• Select Uninstall.

• Restart the Desktop.

7.1.3 To set the Mac to AvidFS

• Select the AVFS driver.

• Open Terminal on the Mac.

• Type: “sudo touch /etc/avfs-altfsname”.

• Type: “your password”.

• Press Enter.

• Restart the desktop.

7.1.4 To check whether AvidFs has been properly installed on Mac

• Connect the AVFS drive.

• Open the Terminal.

• Type: “mount”.

• See that the filetype shows: “avidfs”.

14
7.1.5 To disable AvidFS on Mac
• Select AVFS driver.

• Open Terminal on the Mac.

• Type: “sudo rm /etc/avfs-altfsname”.

• Type: “your password”.

• Press Enter.

• Restart the desktop.

7.2 Using UNC on Windows with ddpvolume and foldervol-

umes
In addition to drive letters UNC can be used. UNC is from Microsoft and stands
for Universal Naming Convention. Some applications use the UNC convention.
The advantages are that the path names ae identical on all computer because
there is no drive letter variations. In rare sitiuations when there are not enough
drive letters available it also allows for more DDP drives to be mounted. Be-
cause UNC is a workstation convention and not a DDP convention only ddp
(folder)volumes which are already mounted (green connection) via the DDP
Gui are reachable via UNC. When there are not enough drive letters DDP
(folder)volumes although mounted via the DDP Gui will not be visible in My
Computer but will show up via UNC.
Either use ddp (folder)volumes via My Computer (Drive Letters)
or via UNC via Network and then AVFS SERVER but do not access
both paths simultaneously Make sure that ddp (folder)volumes which
you want to access via UNC are connected via iSCSI/AVFS first

7.2.1 Using UNC with Avid compatibility

• Unzip the file setupArdisDDPExtras-x64.

• Double click on the file.

• Select Run and follow the installer options.

• Select components to install: UNC compatibility with Avid compatibility.

• Restart the Computer.

• Select My Computer and then Network and wait until the AVFS SERVER
icon appears.

15
7.2.2 Using UNC without Avid compatibility
• Unzip the file setupArdisDDPExtras-x64.

• Double click on the file.

• Select Run and follow the installer option.

• Select components to install: UNC compatibility.

• Select Run from the Start menu.

• Type “regedit”. To enter the registry.

• Select

‘‘HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Avfsd\Parameters’’.

• Select FsName in the other window.

• Right mouse click on FsName.

• Select Modify.

• Type AVFS.

• Close the registry.

• Restart the Computer.

• Check if Properties is set to AVFS.

• Select My Computer and then Network and wait until the AVFS SERVER
icon appears.

Suppose you have connected (mounted) a ddp (folder)volume to your desk-

top via the DDP Gui. How do you select a ddp (folder)volume via UNC now?
ddp (folder)volumes show up with the following UNC path

‘‘\\AVFS_Server\DDPdrivename’’

• Select My Computer.

• Select Network.

• See the text: “Ardis Technologies Local Network” It may take a few minutes.
• Select this text. The name

‘‘\\AVFS_Server\DDPdrivename’’

shows up now.

16
 • Double click on the AVFS Server icon.

A good test if this is successful is the following:

• Open DOS command

• Type dir

‘‘\\avfs_server\DDPdrivename’’

The volume’s content should show up now.

You can conveniently use the DDP without UNC with standard Avid Edit
software such as Media Composer, Nitris DX, Newscutter and others when the
DDP has been setup according to the procedure above. The familiar green
and red bin locking indications should appear in your Avid applications. Other
Avid applications, Interplay, EVS applications, and others require UNC.
In the latest versions of Avid editors when trying to make a shared
project the question about 3rd party shared storage must be an-
swered with yes to be able to share projects and bins.

7.3 Force Disconnect/Force Unmount

It may happen that an unmount does not happen or does not happen as ex-
pected. In that case the foldervolume is still in use for the operating system.
With the Force Disconnect button in the Desktop page the disconnect can be
forced.

7.4 No Cache
When this option is active for a desktop this means that none of the material
accessed by the desktop will be cached On Demand. Backup, archiving, in-
dexing and related processes accesses large number of files. There would be no
point is caching these file on demand.
No Cache is meant specially for desktops used for backup, archive
or indexing purposes
Action selections such as Pinned, Clear, Clear cache and Consol-
idate remain active because these are not desktop related.
V5 has the capability to connect in parallel to the DDPs in a cluster. To
show the status of these parallel connection for a desktop separately a table
opens when the small arrow on the right is clicked after a desktop has been
selected. The number of rows are equal to the number of Data Locations plus
the metadata plus the number of folder volumes mounted. After the connections
to the DLs and the metadata connections are stable the mount of the volumes
happens. The table dynamically displays the status of each.
When a foldervolume is mounted and the desktop is selected and you click on
the arrow in the pane below you will see the iSCSI Connections to the different
Data Locations (ddev) and to the mapping DL (pdev: DL of 50 GB on which
the GPT Headers of folder volumes are managed.) This is specific to V5.

17
8 Network
On standalone DDP Eth0 is the same as NIC1, eth1 is NIC2 etc. On Redun-
dant DDP’s, DDP consisting of DDPHeadM and DDPHeadS, Eth0 stands for
Fallback1, eth1 is the same as NIC1, eth2 as NIC2 and so on.
In the Network page, IP address, subnet mask, the mode (manual, DHCP
or Disabled), MTU and Flow Control can be set per ethernet port. The table
shows these settings. The settings are maintained in the DDP database. To
change or set parameters Name and then Edit must be selected. Changes
become effective when Apply is pressed. When Cancel is pressed before Apply
is activated the changes are undone and the original values are shown again.
The web interface displays messages when violations occur. Current Settings
shows the current real system settings for each port. This is to check if the
database settings are accepted by the system when Apply is pressed. When the
option Disabled in the Configure pull down box is selected and Apply is pressed
the message Disabled appears next to the port name. Although not shown the
IP address is still the same as it was shown before.
Each NIC on the DDP must have a unique subnet.

Figure 4: V5Network

When you try to enter a second IP address in the same subnet an error
message pops up. The option is given to be able to continue because you may
do this on purpose while entering all addresses. Also two Nics can be bonded
to set failover network connection.
The DDP is a SAN system. iSCSI connection is really a SCSI (or SATA
or SAS) block IO connection. This means that the connection is sensitive to
network issues. There is iSCSI and AVFS. AVFS in V5 consists of the Service,
Raid and Filesystem drivers. V3 and V4 drivers all used the same Service

18
driver. Starting with the V5 drivers a much more robust communication protocol
is used in the Service driver. For the highest connection reliability also the DDP
should then run V5. However the majority of network problems arises because
people want to use MTU 9000 for higher bandwidth. But for that to function
properly both endpoint must be set to 9000 and that is not always the case.
Another issue arises from flow control or from situations with two switches in
series creating loops(spanning tree problem). With V5 a message appears on
the screen when the connection is interrupted.

8.1 Bonding
Starting with V5 bonding is implemented. Bonding is not for higher bandwidth
per desktop. It is there for increased up time and increased bandwdith for the
combined setup. For increased bandwidth per desktop MCS, Mutiple Connection
per Sesssion can be used. A third option comes into play with the transparant
failover setup. In that case multipath is used to for the data and our own
protocol for the metadata; AVFS.
Bonding implemented in the DDP is failover based on the 802.3ad (LACP)
protocol. Ethernet packets are always send to a MAC address. The bonding
protocol is between the switch supporting 802.3ad and the DDP. If you bond two
nics there are still two MAC addresses. The bond software decides over which
connection the communication and data runs separately for both directions but
always only one connection is active. It is not meant to increase bandwidth
from/to a desktop but it can be used to double bandwidth between switch and
DDP. The main purpose however to establish a network failover setup between
DDP and switch and or network failover between switch and desktops.

Figure 5: V5Network

To create a Bond

19
 • Disable the Nics which are to be bonded.

• Select Create Bond and select the Nics and press Bond.

• Enter the IP addresses, mask and other parameters.

• Restart the DDP.

Multiple Bonds can be created.

To remove a Bond

• Select the Bond to remove.

• Press Remove Bond and press OK.

• Restart the DDP.

9 Users
The picture shows the user page.
The DDP shows two factory default DDP users: archiware with password
archiware and smbuser with password smbuser. The user archiware is the DDP
bridge to archiware installed on the DDP and smbuser is the DDP user using
SMB. Smbuser is a standard users of which access rights can be set. When
accidently deleted they need to be created again to keep the Archiware and
Samba functionality. Both users will be further discussed in other sections.
Do not delete Archiware and smbuser
In V4 and V5 a standard SMB server and Archiware server is installed. In-
terfacing to these is via two internal iSCSI client iqn.archiware and iqn.smbuser.
Exactly as you would set it up on Linux desktops. The bandwidth of the inter-
nal socket is managed in the Bandwidth Limiting page. When by accident these
users are deleted they are generated again when the DDP is rebooted.

9.1 To add a user do the following:

• Select Add.

• Type a name. All lower case and no special characters are allowed.

• Type Password.

• Type Repeat Password.

• Press Apply.

Foldervolumes need to be assigned to the user in the user page to be available

for a user when a user logs on. The user can logon via the desktop, via the
special DDP app or via the DDP web interface.

20
 Figure 6: Users

9.2 To add foldervolumes to a user:

• Select the User.

• Select Edit. This can also be done when adding a new user.

• Select Volumes.

• Activate ddpvolume or one or more of the foldervolumes. The foldervolumes

appear when the user logs in.

• Press Apply.

Be aware that we do not allow simultaneous mount of ddpvolume

and a folder volume. Also we do not allow simultaneous mounting of
a folder volume and its sub folder volume(s).

9.3 To add extra options to the user:

• Select the User.

21
 • Select Edit. This can also be done when adding a new user.

• Visible? When enabled the user can decide which foldervolumes show up in
the Connect and Tableview page. This user should pay attention not to
accidently change Visible for others.

• Can Resize? This option has no use anymore. This will be changed in due time
to allow a user to change quota.

9.4 Admin can disable a user as follows:

• Select the User.

• Select Edit.

• Activate Disabled.

• Press Apply.

The settings changed become effective after logout. With disabled active
user settings are kept. The user can not logon to the web interface. The user can
logon to the desktop of course but no foldervolume will appear on the desktop.
The user can logon using the DDP login application but again no folder volume
appears on the desktop.

9.5 Enlarging the user display window

Select the small arrow on the right underneath the display window.

10 Groups
The picture shows the Groups page.

10.1 To add a Group:

• Select Add.

• Type Group Name. Small all lower case and no special character are allowed.

• Type Comment. This is optional.

• Press Apply.

Users can be added to a group in this page or a group can be added to a

user in the Users page. Foldervolumes can be added to a group in this page.

22
 Figure 7: Groups

10.2 To add users to a Group:

• Select the Group.

• Select Edit. This can also be done when adding a new group.

• Select Users.

• Activate the users.

• Press Apply.

10.3 To add foldervolumes to a Group:

• Select the Group,

• Select Edit. This can also be done when adding a new group.

• Select Volumes.

• Activate the foldervolumes.

23
 • Press Apply.

When the group access rights are more permissive then the user
access rights the group rights are used. When the group access rights are
less permissive then the user access rights the user access rights are used.

10.4 To enlarge the group display window

Press the small arrow on the right underneath the display window.

11 Connect page
• Colored desktop icon: the service driver on the desktop has a connection
with the DDP. This mean that ping is possible and the iqn name is fine.

• Green boundary around the desktop icon: the webbrowser uses the same
IP address as the IP address of the iSCSI/AVFS connection.

• : green line: the DDP has concluded that the configuration setup is fine
and has send the V5 mapping. Blue means the opposite. In current
V5.01.009 it does not mean that the mount also happened (which you can see
in the desktop page) In the next release this will be improved)

When selecting the Connect icon the Connect page shows up. Double click-
ing an icon on this screen makes the icons align. When drivers, IP address(es),
desktop iqn name are properly entered after desktop reboot the desktop icon
shows up with a green boundary around it. The moment there is iSCSI commu-
nication between desktop and DDP the desktop icon gets colored (not greyed
out). In addition the icon of this desktop has a green boundary.
On the right side ddpvolume and foldervolume icons are shown when they
are made visible (see DDP Volume page).
When there are more then 50 desktops or foldervolumes in the
system, the connect page icon is greyed out and the Tableview page
must be used.

11.1 Mounting/Unmounting ddpvolume

The Connect page shows ddpvolume and two foldervolumes: foldervolume1
and foldervolume2 (factory set). Please use the mouse or trackpad to draw a
line from the connection point on the desktop to the grey connection point on
ddpvolume. The line color changes from blue to green and ddpvolume appears
on your desktop on the Mac or in My Computer on Windows. Notice that
opening ddpvolume on the desktop or My Computer shows foldervolume1 and
foldervolume2 as folders. We will later show how these can be mounted also
as volumes. The line can be removed with the mouse or trackpad beginning at
one of the end points. The line turns grey and then disappears. Ddpvolume is
no longer on your desktop or in My Computer.

24
 Figure 8: Connect page

The blue line means that an iSCSI session is initiated. When the
line turns green the iSCSI sesssion is valid. It does not necessary
mean that AVFS is active.

11.1.1 Hard Readonly Mounting of ddpvolume

The ddpvolume also has red and blue connection points. A mount via the red
connection point results in ddpvolume being mounted hard readonly. Ddpvol-
ume then behaves as a CD or CD Rom. The blue connection means R/W no
delete and duplicates the R/W No Delete function in Edit Access.
Although this functionality is available for ddpvolume, it is strongly
advised never to use this. Unless of course it is absolutely necessary
that the system as a whole should behave as a playout CD system.

11.2 Mounting/Unmounting FolderVolumes

Foldervolumes are folders with volume properties. That is why they show up
in the Connect page as volume icon with a folder in it. Using the drawing
method discussed draw a line between the desktop and foldervolume1 and fold-
ervolume2. Both lines turn green and now the folders on ddpvolume show up
as volumes on the desktop and in My Computer. Also notice that when trying
now to draw line between desktop and ddpvolume a message: cannot have over-
lapping media on desktop; appears. This is a precaution measure. To unmount
the foldervolumes use the procedure from before.

25
 Be aware that we do not allow simultaneous mount of ddpvolume
and a folder volume. Also we do not allow simultaneous mounting of
a folder volume and its sub folder volume(s).

11.2.1 Hard Readonly Mounting of foldervolumes

Also foldervolumes can be mounted hard readonly (CD behavior). But that is
done using Tableview or Automount. Also the option R/W no delete is available
but again that duplicates R/W No Delete in Edit Access.
For some edit application CD rom like behavior of foldervolumes
can be useful.

11.2.2 Automount
It is a bit difficult for users to understand that automount and access right are
different processes.
The process of manual mounting and unmounting described can also occur
automatically via user accounts. This is called automount. There can be for
example just ddpvolume which automounts on all desktops for all users with
the administrator managing user access rights of folders or directories. Or there
can be foldervolumes automounting when a user logs on. The DDP logon/off
mechanism works for Mac, Linux and Windows desktops and all user names
and passwords are managed via the DDP database. A user can log on and log
off on more desktops simultaneously. On each desktop where the user logs on
the designated foldervolumes mounts. When the user logs off the foldervolumes
unmounts.
There is no difference between V3, V4 and V5 regarding this mechanism
when standalone DDPs are concerned.
Changes in automount settings become effective after logout and then login
in again.
There are three automount possibilities:

• Using the DDP web interface (see figure: Two ways to login)

• Using the DDP user acounts app (see figure: Two ways to login)

• Using the desktop user accounts

The first two possibilities expects desktop users names which are not in the
DDP user database. Another user name and password which could be a project
name for example is then used to logon to the DDP. When logon via the web
interface the Connect or Tabelview pages show the user’s desktop and the folder
volumes for which automount was activated. The mount itself still has to be
done. Either by drawing a line in the Connect page or via Add Connection and
selection in the Tabelview page.
Or instead of using the web interface the DDP user name and password can
be entered using the automount application as shown in the picture TwoWaysToLo-
gin. The automount application for the Mac can be opened by clicking on

26
 Figure 9: Two ways to login

iSCSPrefs while holding down the Ctrl key or using the right mouse key. On
Windows clicking on the blue DDP icon and then selecting logon or off.
As an example to login wih automount do the following:

• On Windows select the blue DDP icon and on Mac click on iSCSIPrefs
while holding down the Ctrl key or use the right mouse key.

• Select Logon. A window opens where you can enter name and password. The
name and password must be identical to one of the names with password entered
by the administrator into the DDP.

• Check in “My Computer” or watch the DDP volumes and or foldervolumes

appear as volume icons. DDP volumes and or foldervolumes prepared for this
user should be visible in My Computer. Or should appear on the Mac desktop.

On Windows make sure that logoff is greyed out before selecting

logon
If the right mouse click does not function on the Mac activate this
in System Preferences

On the Mac full name is displayed when you logon. Not the
account name. Because the DDP database registers credentials and handles
all access rights there is no need for an additional management system.
The last possibility automounts foldervolumes when loging on to the desk-
top. Desktop users then are identical to the DDP user names. Passwords may
differ. Adding/removing users and groups can be done locally or imported and
managed via AD or LDAP. The DDP user list in this case can be synchronized
with AD or LDAP. For access rights AVFS ACLs are used.

27
 Figure 10: Two ways to loginMac

When a DDP user is identical to a desktop user and both desktop

and ddp automount is used the result can be confusing.
On Windows after desktop restart the automount application ini-
tially shows the desktop user name
To comply with account user names on Mac, Windows and Linux the user
name (Name) in the DDP database is treated case insensitive. Also spaces can
not be entered. Characters allowed are standard alpha numerical characters and
. and - .

11.3 When using ddpvolume?

Ddpvolume holds the virtual filesystem. No matter how large the capacity is
now or how much will be added later in the form of storage packs, storage
arrays or DDPs, there is always just ddpvolume holding the file system. It
is the administrator’s one name space window on to the system. Admin only
needs to mount ddpvolume to manages all ddp functionality.

11.4 When to use Foldervolumes?

Operators use foldervolumes all the time. The tree structure of a foldervolume
may contain (sub)folders or (sub)directories in which files are organized. This
is obviously done following the way a company is organized. Foldervolumes
(folders with volume properties) are required when:

• the operator has to work on a need to know basis.

• users and automount are needed.

• quota are needed.

• Data Locations must be assigned.

28
 • selective SSD caching is required.

• differences in securing the storage are needed.

• an application needs to put a folder right under the root. For example
Avid MediaFiles directory. Each FV can have such directory.

• the operator requires access rights different from a level up the tree.

• multiple DDPs are to be used.

Because any (sub)folder or (sub)directory can be a foldervolume there can

be foldervolumes within a foldervolume and foldervolumes with a folder. A
caching option set in the Storage Manager for a particular folder volume also
functions when it is seen as a folder. A foldervolumes is seen as a folder when
ddpvolume or a foldervolume or folder up the tree is connected.

12 Creating a Foldervolume
12.1 Create a Folder
• Select the Folder volume icon.

• Make sure that the proper level e.g. ddpvolume is selected.

• Select New directory.The path shows where the folder is going to be made.

• Type a directory name.

• Press Apply.

12.2 Folder to Foldervolume

• Select the FolderVolume icon.

• Select ddpvolume.

• Click on the arrow in front of ddpvolume.

• Select Create. In the window the folders or directories are listed in yellow.

• Select a folder and press Apply. The folder selected changes from yellow into
the blue foldervolume color.

In V3 and V4 first the folders need to be created on the desktop before the
foldervolume could be created in the Foldervolume page
In the sections to follow we will check or select its Data Location and mode,
set or check SSD cache and mode when there is an SSD pack installed, assign a
quota, check or set automount and set access rights. The next step is to assign
a Data Location to the foldervolume.

29
12.3 Assign Data Location and Cache Method to a Foldervol-
ume
• Select the Storage icon. The Storage Manager page opens.

• Select ddpvolume. Under Cache Method it reads: None and under Data Lo-
cation: Balanced.

• Open the ddpvolume arrow and select the foldervolume. The Storage Man-
ager now reads None (inherit) and Balanced (inherit).

This page does not exists in V3 because of file system reasons given before
The Storage Manager manages SSD and hard disk Data Location assign-
ments to foldervolumes. The DDP delivered could be with hard disks, SSD or
with combination of SSD and hard disk packs. When there is an SSD pack
installed, it can be used as cache (secundary storage) and or as Data Location
(primary storage). The DDP also may have one or more hard disk Data Loca-
tions. The pie below left on the Home page displays the Data Locations with
their total, free and used capacity. The ddpvolume factory setting for Cache
Method is None and for the Data Location it is Balanced. When a folder vol-
ume is made these properties inherit. When a Data Location of a foldervolumes
is altered from balanced to for example HD1 after pressing Apply new files are
written to HD1.
Next step is to assign a quota to the foldervolume.

12.4 Assign a Quota to the Foldervolume

In V3 DDP volumes do not carry quota. Only foldervolumes do. In V4 we
still run occassionally into quota issues. The quota management in V5 is much
more robust now. When upgrading from V4 to V5 you need to check the quota
settings in the quota page
Select the Quota icon. Initially when there is no data in the system and
quota is set to max then the Capacity column is the sum of the capacities of the
Data Locations (DL’s) available excluding the Cache. It also equals the Volume
Free column. The DL’s are shown below left on the Home page. The Capacity
column (same as in the DDP volume and folder volume page) shows a green
and a blue color and a figure. The quota colum is identical to the number in
the Capacity column. The value in the Free column is the difference between
the green and the blue section. The Volume Free shows the sum of the free
capacity of the Data Locations without cache.

• When quota of a foldervolume is set to percentage 100 but there is already

data in this or other foldervolumes the Free column shows a lower value
then the quota value and a blue section appears. The quota value is then
larger then the free capacity.

• When the quota of this foldervolume is set to a value lower then the
system’s free capacity the Quota and Free column are identical and the

30
 Capacity column shows all green as long as there is nothing in this fold-
ervolume yet. The quota value is lower then the free capacity and there is
nothing in this folder volume.

• When the quota of this foldervolume is set to a value lower then the
system’s free capacity the Quota and Free column are identical and the
Capacity column shows all green because the data in the foldervolume is
neglectable to the quota value set. The quota value is lower then the free
capacity and the data in the folder volume is neglectable compared to the
quota value set.

• When the quota of this foldervolume is set to a value lower then the
system’s free capacity the Free column value is lower then the Quota
column value and the Capacity column shows a blue section. The quota
value is lower then the free capacity and there is data in the folder volume
which can not be neglected compared to the quota value.

• All capacity calculations are based on the sum of all DL’s exclusing the
cache. When foldervolumes only addresses one of the Data Locations it
is advised to adapt the quota value accordingly. Else the DL may be full
unexpectly.

Initial Quota and the Quota column can be set in percentage or fixed values
as follows:

• Select GB.

• Click on Initial Quota. This is the quota for newly created foldervolumes.

• Type a number.

• Press Set.

The quota per foldervolume can be set as follows:

• Click on the value in the quota column.

• Either type or use the slider for a value.

• Press Set.

When the value set is reached no files can be added any further unless the
quota is changed. It can be changed on the fly. A quota can have any value.
Each foldervolume can for instance have a quota set to 100 as a percentage.
Then each foldervolume is allowed all available storage with balanced selected.
When the storage is expanded by adding extra groups of disks
or storage arrays the quota is not automatically updated. Please
therefore then in the quota pag active the quota settings by activating
the quota fader for example)

31
12.5 Data Location, Capacity and Quota
12.6 Recalculate
Recalculate is not needed normally. It is used when for some reason the quota
does not seem right. With larger installations and many folders and files it may
take a while before all capacity calculations are as they should be. Recalculate
adds the capacity of all files in the system (used capacity) so it may take some
time and puts a load on the system.
Recalculate only must be pressed once. When recalcuate is pressed
when there is already a recalculate running it starts all over again.
Either the Archiware or SMB active box in DDP Volumes must
be on for Recalculate
Currently we do not calculate the capacity used. Only the free capacity
compared to the DL or DL’s is calculated. Both in V3 and V4 older versions
recalculate is sometimes needed. In V5 it should be fine. It is also important
that in the DDP Volume page Archiware active box is on. It means that there
is always at least one connection which is enough for the DDP to manage the
capacity calculation

12.7 Access Rights on a Foldervolume: Edit Access

In the DDP the ACL is a property of a user and folder volume and not of a
file. We made this such out of convenience for the users.
It has already been explained how a user gets the foldervolumes needed
mounted on the desktop: Automount. Now access rights of users, groups and
desktops will be discussed. Access rights can be changed instantly The proce-
dure to set access rights works the same for folders and foldervolumes. On the
right the Workflow Manager browser is displayed. It always gives the current
status per ddpvolume, foldervolumes and folders. When in doubt whether it is
the proper status the blue refresh arrow can be pressed.
The Readonly connection which can be made in the Connect page onto
ddpvolume is most restrictive. If this red connection is made no user can ever
have Read/Write access on any file, folder or foldervolume within ddpvolume.
Whether Read/Write access restrictions can be used depends on the appli-
cation. It could be that a new project file or folder can not be created because
a file delete is part of the creation or render process.
To avoid issues with the recycle bin with Windows and Trash Mac
ddpvolume must have full read/write access. To be able to setup restric-
tions and still use the recycle bin or trash of a foldervolume a folder with these
resrictions can be created within a folder volume
In Edit Access access the access right result is determined by users.
If users are not there or are set to don’t care access rights are de-
termined by groups. If groups are not there and users are not there
or both are set to don’t care access rights are determined by the
desktop if it is there

32
 Figure 11: Edit Access

In the Path Permissions window the access rights are managed. In Edit
access this order is visualized in that desktops are at the top followed by groups
followed by users underneath.. The Permission Preview window displays the
end result.
The access rights in Edit Access are Read/Write, Readonly (file based read
only) and Read/Write without Delete. Settings can be Y, N or - (don’t care).
The access rights inherit downwards to (sub)folders and files until a change in
access level for the user/group combination is reached.
The Edit Access page consists of three subwindows: Name, Permissions
Preview and Path Permisssions. The Name window shows ddpvolume name
and its tree in (sub) foldervolumes and (sub)folders. For convenience files are
not shown. When a folder only contains files and no folders it will not open.
Others are all users, groups and desktops of which access rights have not
actively set.

• In Name select ddpvolume.

• Select the top level of ddpvolume.

• In Path Permission window select Add.

• Select Others and Press OK. Other shows a dark green color.

• Press Apply.

33
 Figure 12: Edit Access select

How do we enter a user and set access rights?

• In Name select ddpvolume.

• Select the top level of ddpvolume.

• In Path Permission window select Add.

• Select a user and change access rights by double clicking. Press OK.

• Press Apply.

The same procedure can be followed to set rights per (sub)folder for desk-
tops, groups and other users.
When browsing through folders the colors light or bold green and/or red
show up. The light colors green and red indicate inheritance. The bold colors
green and red indicate that new access rights have been set for that folder or
foldervolume. Access right changes become effective after closing and opening
the folder again. When during a change for example a file copy is running access
right become effective after the file copy is finished.
access rights immediately become effective. Changes in the user,
group and desktop page require unmounting and mounting of ddp
volume or folder volumes to become effective.

34
12.7.1 Collaborating on the same project: example Media Com-
poser
How to setup project access rights when more then one editor should work on
the same project? When Media Composers are used there is no immediate
need for any additional access right management because MC’s automatic bin
locking feature handles read/write and readonly access nicely on a first come
first serve base. But sometimes it maybe necessary to control bin management
on a more permanent basis.
Project files can not be opened from a readonly foldervolume but bins and
media can. It is therefore advised to have project and settings file in a folder
or folders with r/w access. When a bin is opened from a readonly folder or
foldervolume is always shows up with a red readonly icon. Bins and media can
be nicely managed this way.
Do not change access rights on a foldervolume or folder for a user
when that user has the Avid application open.

12.7.2 Access rights using desktop names

Instead of user access rights one can also use desktop access rights. This would
be useful when a desktop is not allowed to have access to the ddpvolume or
foldervolumes no matter which users or groups. When the Desktop is set to
NNN no user or group logged on to this desktop can get access to ddpvolume,
folder or foldervolumes.

12.7.3 Changing access rights at root level

At root (ddpvolume) all access right settings should be Y. It is good practise
to allow free access to all at the root. That way also the recycle bin or trash
can be used. Also then standard inheritance behaviour is guaranteed.

12.8 Renaming a foldervolume

Sometimes it is necessary to rename a foldervolume. To rename a foldervolume
the foldervolume must be disconnected from the desktops, made invisible in
the FolderVolumes page and then Remove must be done to remove the volume
properties.

• Disconnect the foldervolume from all desktops.

• Select the FolderVolumes page.

• Select the foldervolume and click on the Visible checkbox.

• Select Remove and then Apply. After a while the foldervolume disappear
from the list.

• Connect ddpvolume to the desktop and rename the folder. In the near
future this can be done directly via the DDP web interface.

35
 • Disconnect ddpvolume.

• Select the FolderVolumes page.

• Select Create, select the folder and press Apply. The foldervolume now has
a name change but users with access rights are kept.

12.9 Removing Foldervolume1 and Foldervolume2

As an example foldervolume1 and foldervolume2 come with the DDP. To remove
these from ddpvolume, do the following:

• Select the FolderVolume icon.

• Select the FolderVolume.

• Select Remove.

• Select Yes.

• Remove the folders from ddpvolume on the desktop.In the near future folders
can be created and removed directly via the web interface.

12.10 Benefits of Foldervolumes

12.10.1 Avid edit applications and one namespace
Avid edit applications require their Avid MediaFiles directory under the root.
And if there is one namespace there is one root. Therefore the DDP team
invented the concept of foldervolumes. With foldervolumes there is one names-
pace with any number of roots. So problem solved regarding Avid edit appli-
cations when using the concept of foldervolumes. There maybe other postpro-
duction or broadcast applications with similar requirement.

12.10.2 Additional Foldervolume vs Folder benefits

• A foldervolume behaves as root.

• Admin can continuously monitor which user is active, where capacity

increases and monitor time stamps by monitoring the foldervolume.

• Foldervolumes appear as separate icons on the desktop giving operators a

much better overview where data should be saved or loaded in comparison
with using the DDP volume itself with folders.

• Access rights on foldervolumes do not depend on higher level access rights

settings.

• Also some folders need to be hidden to protect against unauthorized usage.

36
 Figure 13: Folders for the Workflow

13 Tableview
The are more options in V5 compared to older versions of V4 and V3
The Connect page shows a graphical representation of the desktops, vol-
umes, foldervolumes and the connections made. Alternatively Tableview can
be selected. When there are more then 50 desktops or folder volumes in the
system the Connect page icon is greyed out and this page must be used. When
Add Connection is pressed the selection window appears.

13.1 Sorting of Desktops and Folder volumes

Clicking on Select Desktop or Select Volume in the selection windows sorts the
desktop and ddp volumes in ascending or descending order.

13.2 Selecting multiple Desktops and Folder volumes

Using the Cmd key and mouse multiple desktops and folder volumes can be
selected. Using the Shft key and mouse desktops and folder volumes next to
each other in the rows can be selected.

13.3 Searching for Desktops and Folder volumes

The Search windows can be used for incremental search of both desktops and
folder volumes.

37
 Figure 14: V5Tableview

13.4 Selecting R/W, Readonly, R/W No Delete

Tableview has the ability to connect a foldervolume r/w, hard readonly and r/w
no delete. The hard readonly connection makes the folder volume behave as a
CD or CD Rom. The r/w no delete functions duplicates the R/W No Delete
function in Edit Access.

14 DDP Volumes
DDPs with V5 software are delivered with a virtual file system called ddpvol-
ume. The row starting with Duplicate is obsolete in V5 and will not be discussed
in this V5 manual.
Out of precaution: it is not possible to have ddpvolume and folder-
volume(s) simultaneously mounted on the desktop.
Out of precaution: it is not possible to have a foldervolume and fold-
ervolume made within this foldervolume simultaneously mounted on
the desktop.
DDPs with V5 can not be used with Pro Tools 8.1.1 and older.
DDPs with V5 can not be used with Windows XP, 32 bit.
Foldervolume names must be between 4 and 35 characters. The char-
acter allowed are standard letters (any language - and : and . and
numbers. A foldervolume name is allowed to start with a dot.

38
 Figure 15: DDP Volumes Page

14.1 Visible
On the top the DDP Volume page shows ddp and ddpvolume. Both ddpvolume
and foldervolumes can be made Visible so that they appear in the Connect
page and become available in Tableview. Ddpvolume gives a one name space
overview. This visualized in the Workflow Manager section of the web interface
with the tree structure. For a complete overview the administrator should
have ddpvolume mounted on hers/his desktop. Some companies may not be
interested in foldervolumes and hierarchy. In that case all operators just mount
ddpvolume.

14.2 Archiware, Backup, Archive

When a SAS card is installed in the DDP an LTO SAS tape streamer can be
connected. For each DDP an Archiware P5 license AWB100 can be requested
from Ardis Technologies free of charge. Also with this license the DDP can be
used as an Archiware client for backup, archive or synchronize. The Archiware
check box must be active and the archiware user must exist.
For quota calculations there must be at least one internal or ex-
ternal connection. To make sure that is alwasy guaranteed it is best
to always keep the Archiware active box checked.
As an alternative ddpvolume can be mounted on the Archiware or other
backup server. The ddpvolume shows all data in the DDP. The folder paths
which are meant for backup or archive or synchronize can be selected together

39
with a schedule. For a description of how to use Archiware use the Archiware
manual and DDPV4Mirror.pdf.
Select localhost/Archiware/ddpvolume.
Do not select /Volume/ddpvolume. This is the virtual filesystem
which in itself does not carry any capacity. This can corrupt the
system if you do.

14.3 SMB Export

In V3 Ardis had our own SMB development installed. Unfortunately we were
not able to get it robust with SMB v2 and v3. It was then decided to use the
open source SMB implementation in Linux and interface the smb server with
the internal iSCSI initiator. At the moment in V4 and V5 there is one user
called smbuser. The smbusers and archiware users use the same internal socket.
DDP is based on iSCSI/AVFS as main high performance SAN protocol.
High performance is not always required for all users. Those users then can
benefit from the SMB client functionality already on their desktop. It is not
useful to have iSCSI and AVFS installed and simultaneously use SMB shares.
Currently when a DDP with V5 is delivered there is one SMB
user called smbuser with a default password smbuser. The password
can be changed but you need a Terminal command for that.
In the near future there will be a web page where more smb users
can be created.
To mount ddpvolume and foldervolumes using SMB in the DDP Volume
page the Archiware box for ddpvolume plus the SMB Export box for the folder
volumes which are to be used via Samba must be checked. The Samba version
currently used is 4.5.6 and supports smb v1,v2 and v3 basic functionality.

• Select the DDP Volume icon.

• Make sure Visible is activated for ddpvolume or Foldervolumes needed.

• Make sure that Archiware check box is active.

• Make sure that smbuser exists The smbuser is created automatically from
software version V4.00.18d onwards during each reboot.

• Activate the SMB Export checkbox for ddpvolume or Foldervolumes. If

the checkbox is inactivated immediately smb is inactivated.

Via iSCSI/AVFS protocol it is possible to automount ddpvolume

and Foldervolumes so called hard read-only (CDRom type behavior)
by clicking the Volumes activation box twice in the Users page. This
option is ignored when mounting via SMB.
The desktop access right management option in Edit Access is ig-
nored when using SMB.

• On the Home page select Edit Access.

• Select the Foldervolume in the left column.

40
 • Select Add and for example smbuser, make a selection and press OK.

• Press Apply.

Default no cache is checked for the internal iSCSI virtual desktop.

This is to prevent Archiware to fill up the on demand cache. This
also means that smb does not trigger on demand caching.
To comply with account user names on Mac, Windows and Linux the user
name (Name) in the DDP database is treated case insensitive. Also spaces can
not be entered. Characters allowed are standard alpha numerical characters and
. and - .
Mounting and unmounting (automounting) of foldervolumes as NAS shares
differ between Mac, Windows and Linux. Therefore it will be explained sepa-
rately for the different OSes.

14.3.1 Selecting shares on a Mac

To logon to the desktop and share with the same user name (smbuser):

• Logon to the desktop.

• Select Finder and then Go.

• Select Connect To Server.

• Type smb://IP Address DDP or instead of IP address the name of the

DDP and press +.When login in for second time this may already show.

• Highlight the DDP address.

• Press Connect.

• Enter the user name and password.Currently smbuser, smbuser. The name
is fixed but the password can be altered in the Users page. When login in for
the second time this may already show and next step is not needed.

• Press Connect. When there is one share it automatically shows up. If not check
Finder Preferences-General. The check box Connected servers must be activated
there. When more shares are available a list shows up.

Logoff from the desktop also unmounts the share in this case. It is also
possible to use eject.
To logon to the desktop and share with different user names:

14.3.2 Selecting shares on Windows 7

To logon to the desktop and share(s) with the same user name:

• After desktop logon select My Computer or Computer.

• In the url type

41
 \\DDPname or IP address.

• Press Enter and open the share icon(s). It may take some seconds.

To logon to the desktop and share(s) with different user names

• Logon to the desktop.

• After the desktop logon select My Computer or Computer

• In the url type:

\\DDPname or IP address.

• Select Enter.A window pops up asking for a user name and password.

• Open the share icon(s).

14.3.3 Selecting shares on Windows 10

To logon to the desktop and share(s) with the same user name:

• After desktop logon select My Computer or Computer or This PC.

• In the url type

\\DDPname or IP
address.

. All folder volumes assigned show up.

To logon to the desktop and share(s) with different user names

• Logon to the desktop.

• Select My Computer or Computer or This PC.

• In the url type

\\DDPname or IP
address.

. All folder volumes assigned show up.

• Select a folder volume. A windows shows up to in which the smb user name
and password can be entered.

• Use arrow to see all other folder volumes assigned.

42
14.3.4 Selecting share on RedHat Enterprise Edition
• After desktop logon select Places

• Select Network.

• Select Windows Network.

• Select DDP

• Select DDP Hostname

• Select ddpvolume.

• In User Name: type username

• In Password: type password

• Press Connect. The share prepared should be visible now.

To see the list of shares prepared for a particular user:

• Select Applications and then System Tools.

• Select Terminal

• Type smbtree -U username and press Enter.

• Type the password for this user. After a while the list is shown.

This methods above with Linux can be used to display. The share appears on
the desktop. However a mountpoint has not been given. This can be seen
by typing mount in the Terminal. The command line to give the share a
mountpoint via Terminal is: mount -t cifs//DDP IP address/sharename /mnt/
-o user=username,password=password. In this case the share sharename will
mount under mnt. To unmount a share: type umount /mnt.

14.4 Status, Capacity, Free, Comment, Type

The Status column shows the foldervolume’s path. The text in the capacity
column is the capacity of the foldervolume set by the quota. The blue section
indicates space used. The Free column shows the free capacity remaining. The
Comment column is not active at the moment. Type has no function in V5
DDPs.

15 DDP Folders
This page will be given a new function later on. Currently the page is not in
use.

43
16 Profile
This page is very useful when a V3 or V4 DDP needs to be restarted because
all foldervolumes of mac, windows and linux desktops must be unmounted be-
fore doing the restart. In V5 the DDP can be restarted without unmounting
foldervolumes. On the screen a Connection Lost Reload window with messages
appears. However it often happens that the DDP is back before the different
time outs of the service, avfs and iSCSI are expired. When the DDP is back it
asks the service the status which is still original. In future version this negoci-
ation mechanism will improve further. In that case the desktop needs to logout
and login again.
Profile has two main functions:

• To clear all connections because for some reason the DDP needs to be
serviced and rebooted.

• Making profiles of desktop ddpvolume and foldervolumes connections.

To Create a Profile do the following:

• Select Create.

• Type a name for the Profile.

• Press Apply.

Because the information is solely desktop based a restore happens regardless

of which users is logged in. To activate a profile press Restore. Profile is best
used in cases when all connection must be cleared. For example just before a
reboot of the DDP. After the reboot the original setup can be restored again.
The Archiware checkbox is not automatically restored so please
restore that manually in the DDP Volume page

17 R/W Limiting
As explained earlier the bandwidth of the internal socket/iSCSI initiator con-
nection is managed here. When Show System drives is activated in the Utility
page in the BWL page with V4 iqn.aw-smb with the bandwidth set shows up
along with two names archiware-initiator and avfs2nas-initiator. In V5 iqn.aw-
smb has been changed to iqn. name ddp. If there is a need the value of 300
MB/s can be altered.The value set is the maximum bandwidth available to the
desktops using the smb protocol and the desktop using Archiware.
The DDP is expected to sustain sufficient bandwidth to allow playback
without frame drops and recording without unexpected interruptions. Simulta-
neously typical IO processes such as copying or rendering may be active as well.
In contrast to a continuous stream of data such as with playback or recording
processes such as copying or rendering are highly irregular with peak band-
widths only limited by the ports wire speed. A fast render machine connected

44
 Figure 16: RWLimiting

may be silent for 1 second and then give a short 1 second burst of data thereby
overloading a shared GbE port for example. The differences between these
two types of behavior can be easily observed by looking at the DDP Monitor.
To control interference between sustained bandwidth and IO processes band-
width limiting can be helpful. The DDP offers bandwidth control on the iSCSI
block IO level. This means that settings of the bandwidth limits are subject
to negotation between the target and the source. This way up and download
bandwidth can be adjusted without any loss of TCP/IP frames. Up and down-
load bandwidth can be set independently per desktop. The procedure is as
follows:

• Select a desktop name.

• Select Edit.

• Type a value in MB(ytes)/s or use the slider.

• Press Apply.

A good testing tool here would be the Aja or Blackmagic speedtest. A

practical consideration when controlling the bandwidth is to take between 1,5-

45
2 times the sustained data rate needed as the upper limit for download. When
there is no recording the upload bandwidth can be lower of course. Data
throughput of a MacPro with a 1 GbE connection with the DDP during ren-
dering or copying can get as high as 117 MB/s or even up to 1000 MB/s when
10 GbE is used. Each DDP is specified to provide a certain throughput. These
throughput must be divided between the sustained streams and other processes.
By limiting the bandwidth of these other processes the total operational band-
width can be kept within the boundary of the DDP specifications.
If MCS is used (see the Connections icon/page) with 2 connections the value to
enter should be half of the value required.

18 Admin Pwd
The figure shows the DDP’s login screen

Figure 17: AdminLogin

The admin password can be changed in this page.

• Enter Old Password.

• Enter New Password.

• Repeat New Password.

• Press Edit. You are still logged in as admin with the original password. When
you quit and log in again the new password becomes effective.

The word admin is fixed as admin user. User admin has access to all and
the ability to change everything. User admin can not be removed.

46
19 Trash and Recycle Bin
19.1 Trash folder on Mac
Make sure that the top level is always set to full access rights (YYY)
in Edit Access. The Trash bin on the desktop represents the Trashes folders
from the internal Mac disk but also of ddpvolume and foldervolumes connected
to this desktop when files are moved to the Trash. Each desktop can have a
Trash folder per ddpvolume and or per each foldervolume. Each Mac desktop
has to empty its own Trash. If at one point there is less free capacity then
expected it can simply be because one or more desktops somehow have not
emptied their Trash. Other reasons for this are:

• The desktop IP address has changed.The trash identification is the desktop

IP address.

• The desktop is no longer there.

• The volume is not connected to the desktop.

To retrieve the free capacity in these cases as of V4.00.020a these hidden

folders can be found as follows:

• Make sure the Archiware checkbox in the DDP Volume page is checked.

• Logon to the DDP via Terminal

• Goto the Archiware/ddpvolume directory All trashes, hidden files, foldervol-

umes (listed as folders) and folders of ddpvolume show.

• When only the Trash of a folder volume must be deleted then select that
foldervolume.

• To delete all Trashes the Trash of each folder volume needs to be deleted
by accesssing the folder volume.

Other files such as .fseventsd are OSX files and not DDP related
*Do not delete ddpvolume. That is the global filesystem.

19.2 Recycle bin on Windows Vista, 7, 8 and 10

The Recycle Bin icon on a Windows 7,8 and 10 desktop represents the $RE-
CYCLE.BIN folders from all internal and external volumes and foldervolume
connected to this desktop. On Windows Vista, 7, 8 and similar versions ma-
terial which is moved from a DDP volume or foldervolume to the Recycle Bin
is visible in the Recycle Bin of all other Windows7 desktops connected to that
volume or foldervolume. The $RECYCLE.BIN should have R/W access for
all. This can be set in the Web Gui via Edit Access for a particular volume or
foldervolume.

47
20 LDAP
Via this page the DDP can be integrated with LDAP, OD or Active Directory.
The integration functions with a read only account (non binding). Via this
account user and group names and changes are imported in and synchronized
with the DDP database. This way the Desktop user names are kept in sync with
the DDP user names. Using the DDP web interface for these users and groups
folder volumes must be selected to be automatically mounted (automount) when
loggin in. No passwords are imported and the automount authorisation solely
uses the name only. Details which needs to be known are LDAP server IP
address or DNS name, port number, fully qualified domain name of the ldap
server and the base path for the branch in the domain tree where the user/group
object can be found in the ldap database. The full path needs to be given here.
See for further information the LDAP manual.

Figure 18: StorageLogic

21 Storage
This page is not there in V3. It is best to use V5 to get the most of load
balancing and caching.Compared to V4 a number of improvements have been
made in V5. Also in V5 the Consolidate button is now active

48
 The Storage page is for the Storage Manager. There is metadata (AVFS)
and data: Data Locations (DL’s). A Data Location is exactly what it says
just a location for the data. In the Storage Manager for ddpvolume or per
foldervolume a DL can be selected or changed. Changing a DL can be done
without any consequences for the front end.
In the figure StorageLogic the possibilities are summarized.

21.1 Using the SSD Cache to ingest/copy to using iSCSI/AVFS

It maybe useful in a number of workflow situations to ingest to the SSD Cache
and write through to the spindles (Options 6 and 7 in the table). In that case
the SSD Cache is selected as DL for one or more foldervolumes and the Cache
is set to On Demand.
Since this is regarded as the preferred way to use the DDP when SSDs are
present it is easiest to set Data Location and Cache Method on the ddpvolume
level and use inherit for all folder volumes (default setting)
When using SMB Caching Method: On Demand is inactive

• Go to the Storage Manager.

• Select ddpvolume and set their DL to Cache and Cache Method to On

Demand.

• Press Apply for both DL and Cache Method.

• Check that the folder volumes are set to Inherit.

It is also possible to restrict the mode above to certain folder volumes only.

• Go to the Storage Manager.

• Select the FV’s and set their DL to Cache and Cache Method to On
Demand.

• Press Apply for both DL and Cache Method.

• Repeat these actions for all FV’s involved.

Using this method files on SSD will be automatically copied through to the
spindles using Balanced. When at some point a file needs to accessed which
has been accessed least until now that file may not be present in the SSD cache
anymore and will then come from the spindles.
It may also be that ingest has been happening directly to SSD cache (DL =
Cache) without write through. In that case when the SSD cache gets full the
data can be moved to the spindles (16 and 17 in table):

• Go to the Storage Manager.

• Select FV’s with DL set to Cache.Only select the FVs of which the data must
be transferred.

49
 • Set the Cache Method to Pinned.

• Press Apply. In IO Monitor the copying of data from SSD to spindles shows
up.

• Repeat these actions for all FV’s involved.

Pinned, Clear and Clear Cache are action buttons which have im-
mediate effect each time they are pressed and continue until finished.
When On Demand is pressed a queue is build of max 5000 files.
When there are more then 5000 to be cached the oldest ones are
removed from the queue.
IO Monitor shows reading from Cache and writing to spindles. After the
copy is finished IO Monitor shows reading from both Cache and spindles because
the files in the cache are verified with the files on the spindles. Once this is done
the bar changes from grey (locked) to red (pinned). You may need to refresh
the bar display or page. The materials with status pinned can now be cleared
as follows:

• Go to the Storage Manager.

• Select the FV’s and set their Cache Method to Clear.

• Press Apply for the Cache Method.

• Repeat these actions for all FV’s involved.

After this procedure the red (pinned) selection has turned to green (free).
When Clear or Clear Cache is used files in the Cache which have
no counterpart on spindles are copied to spindles and verified before
the cache clear starts

21.2 Caching from spindles to SSD

Selection is per ddpvolume or foldervolume. The default setting is the setting
on ddpvolume; for example Balanced for Data Location and On Demand for
Caching. When no changes are made each new foldervolume automatically
inherits this mode. When on demand is selected and the cache is full the least
used files are removed from the cache when other files are queued for caching.
Files which are cached with the Cache Method pinned stay in the cache until
they are cleared by pressing Clear. The option None means that none of their
foldervolume data is cached. The bar below shows the SSD DL usage.
When using SMB Cache Method: On Demand is inactive, only
pinned can be used

21.3 Changing the Data Location

In Data Location the data location can be changed. The selections offered
are Data Locations separately and balanced. When balanced is selected files
are evenly distributed over all spindle DL’s. The DL can be changed anytime

50
without interupting the workflow. When Apply is selected the location of the
next file to be written changes.

Figure 19: Storage Manager

21.4 Cache Priority

The Cache Priority can be set from 100 down in steps of 10. 100 is the fastest
speed, only depending on the internal transfer speed of the spindles. The lower
the value the lower the transfer speed. Default value is 10 which corresponds
to something like 30 MB/s which is 120 GB/hour, 100 can be as high as 800
MB/s. Using the IO Monitor the caching speed can be monitored. Changes to
the priority are effective immediately after Apply. The value should be selected
such that desktop activity involving the spindles are not disturbed.

21.5 Clear and Clear Cache

Pressing the Clear Cache button clears the On Demand cached data of all folder
volumes. Clear Cache does not empty the queue of jobs waiting to be cached.
Pinned data can only be cleared by selecting the appropriate foldervolume and
Clear in the Cache Method section.
Depending on how many files the cache holds clearing the cache
may take some minutes and the process blocks all other functions
during.
When there are still files to be moved from SSD to spindles this
process happens first. After this process is finished Clear or Clear

51
Cache must be pressed again.

21.6 How to use Consolidate?

Consolidate is used to move or distribute the source DL or DLs of a foldervolume
and all underneath to a target DL or target DLs (Balanced mode).

• Files in use (open for read or write) will be skipped.

• If consolidate is activated again and target is a specific DL files which are

no longer in use are copied now.

• If consolidate is activated again and target is set to balanced the consoli-

dation starts again from the beginning.

22 Masterview
When multiple DDP are combined using V5 software the setup is called a DDP
Cluster. All DDPs within a DDP Cluster are managed via one master web
interface. The masterview of the master monitors performance and capacity
parameters and monitors the health of the DDP Cluster and its components.

Figure 20: Masterview

52
23 Task Manager
The Task Manager is currently being implemented in V5
When Consolidate is pressed a Task is created ((available in a upcoming V5
software update). The Task Manager then shows a list of these active tasks.
Using Add and Cancel they can be added or removed to/from the queue. The
task on the top starts with Start. With Move Up and Move Down the order
can be changed.

24 Event Log
When pressing System Events a few seconds later the status and System events
gathered from the raidcards show up. All events coming from the raidcards are
displayed.

25 Raid Check
All V3 DDP’s werde delivered with Areca raidcard. Also a range of V4 DDP
were delivered with Areca cards type 1882i. At some point in 2017 we changed
to LSI cards type 9361-8i for internal use and the 9380-8e for exterminal. The
reason was that we continued to have (minor) time out issues with the the
chassis we use and the cards. After changing to LSI these issues were gone.
The default setup for most DDP are Raid5 sets of 8 drives for drives up
to 4TB. Raid6 is recommended when drives with 6TB and up are to be used.
The DDP6D has a raid5 set of 6 drives both for audio and video and partly
populated DDPs may also have a different number of drives in a raid set.

25.1 When having LSI raidcards

Default the DDP is set to do a Consistency Check every two weeks staring
Sundays. To change this the raidcard need to be accessed via command line
and Terminal or Putty via the StorCLI Program. See for that the chapter
Raidcards.

25.2 When having Areca raidcards

If the DDP has Areca cards it shows when opening the Areca page. This is a
preventive maintenance page currently for Areca raidcards. The scheduler can
be configured to do a raid check on a regular basis. A raid check reads every
block of each drive. Blocks which after a number of retries fail are deallocated.
The raid check procedure takes time. It is therefore best done during nights or
weekend. To set a schedule do the following:

• Activate Enable.

• Select an Interval. When daily is selected the Day is disabled.

• Set the Start Time in hrs:min.

53
 Figure 21: ConsistencyCheck

• Press Apply.

If you activate Enable and set the Stop Time the checking process halts at
that time. Next time it starts again from the beginning. Also pressing “Stop”
interrupts the check procedure. When “Manual Start” is pressed the process
starts again from the beginning.
In V4 the link of the scheduler to Areca is broken. This has been solved in
the latest V5 version. Or as a workaround it can be scheduled in the raidcard
browser itself
It is adviced to run a raid check monthly.
The check has a low priority so it can continue during a daily oper-
ation. If you feel that it influences the daily operation too much the
stop button can be pressed or the stop can be scheduled
Performance of the DDP can be negatively influenced by a drive just
about to fail due to read retries.

26 Verify/Repair
Verify/Repair icon only appears when Show System Drives is enabled
because currently with V5 this has no function attached to it.

54
 Figure 22: RaidCheck

This page is only useful for DDP still using HFS+ (V3 DDP’s). In worst
case scenario’s when these functions would not help Disk Warrior from Alsoft
had to be used on a Mac to repair a volume. With the Ardis file system (V4
and V5) these functions are currently inactivated. When a hard reset is done
a file system check is automatically done when restarting. In the future we’ll
make new verify and repair functions available for V5.
With Verify the file system components of ddpvolume are checked if they
are consistent (not in the software yet). To use Verify or Repair Maintenance
Mode must be on. Switching on maintenance only means that the file system
is not connected to anything, neither externally nor internally. The buttons
AVFS On and Off with DDP with V4 and V5 software version and further have
no function anymore.

27 Users Active
The page Users Active shows which Users are logged on on which desktop.

55
28 Utility
The Utility page allows you to analyse and compare the speed of the different
raidsets with PV Speed Test. With Netstat network statistics can be displayed.
With Clear Log the display field is cleared. With Download System Log the
DDP logfile can be downloaded and send to Ardis Technologies for further
diagnostics. Show/Hide System Drives is a V5 maintenance utility.
The logfiles which can be downloaded here are important to us. Logfiles rotate
after 6 days. It could be that a logfile or logfiles grow very big because of an error
situation. Such a situation can even go unnoticed until the root space (rootfs) is
full and the DDP can not be accessed anymore. You can check this by login to
the DDP and then type df. It is best then after downloading the syslogs to delete
them. They can be found in the var/log directory. In the logfile there are a
number of connection related messages identifiable via the word AUDIT. These
message can be checked using the command zgrep AUDIT /var/log/syslog*. The
audit has the following format example: Oct 21 13:26:22 v4-ssddp42 avfsserv:
1477049182.516156: AUDIT(5) CONNECT ’172.30.5.110’:’iqn.resolve’ user ”
volume ’foldervol2’. Also it shows DISCONNECT. The following is a good test
te see what happens in the logfile during DDP actions. login to the DDP and
do: less /var/log/syslog en then: Shft F ,Ctrl C (to stop), q (to end) ,etc, to
see a running log file while doing stuff. You can of course also search for iqn
names with identical IP addresses or different IP addresses with identical iqn
name

29 Info
This page shows the DDP software version, AVFS software version, the iSCSI
target software version, DDP id and DDP’s serial number dates, login name,
from which IP address, Desktop and Support until.

30 Icon Size
This page allows adjustment of the icon sizes of the desktop and ddpvolume
and foldervolumes icons in the Connect page.

31 Archiware
When planning an Archiware P5 process the Archiware checkbox for ddpvolume
in the DDP Volumes page must be checked. Also check in the User page that
user archiware still exists.
After logon to the DDP select /Archiware/ddpvolume. Do not
select /Volume/ddpvolume. This is the virtual filesystem which in
itself does not carry any capacity. Using this can corrupt the system
The latest version of Archiware is installed on the DDP when delivered and
can be opened by clicking on the P5 icon. The user name and password are the
user name and password also to access the DDP. Before you can use Archiware a

56
license key must be entered. A license key of AWB100, the backup to SAS LTO
tape streamer is free of charge when a DDP is purchased and can be requested
via the DDP dealer or by sending an email to [email protected].
If instead of a standard backup to LTO SAS tape streamer, Archive, Syn-
chronize or Backup to disk, tape libraries or a larger library system is required
it is advised to use a separate desktop with Archiware installed. There are two
possiblitities to setup such system

• Ddpvolume is mounted on the desktop and Archiware on the desktop uses

the ddpvolume as source or target. Make sure that in this case no cache is
checked in the desktop page for this desktop.

• No ddpvolume is mounted on the desktops and the DDP is accessed as an

Archiware client via localhost/Archiware/ddpvolume using the Archiware
protocol between desktop and DDP.

Figure 23: Archiware2Ddpvolume

The first option is the option which is favored because:

• Only user recognizable files and paths appear

• There is no Archiware load on the DDP

• With setups with multiple DDPs (DDP Cluster) with upcoming V5 soft-
ware only this option gives parallel access to all DDPs.

Other then AWB100 modules of P5 (backup to lto tape streamer) can be

purchased from the DDP or Archiware dealer.

57
 Archiware runs independently in the DDP. The internal connection between
DDP and Archiware is via the internal iSCSI gateway desktop called: ddpserver
and carries the name of the DDP: iqn.ddpname. This desktop has an internal
iSCSI/AVFS mount of ddpvolume. This desktop internally mounts the ddpvol-
ume or foldervolumes for user archiware and for user smbuser for the internal
samba server.
The desktop iqn.ddpname with connections is shown in the Connect ,Table-
view and R/W Limiting page when in the Utility page Show System Drives is
selected.
The bandwidth for iqn.ddpname is set to 300 MB/s up and down stream.
This is the maximum throughput the internal desktop can deliver. These values
can be changed as follows:

• In the Utility page activate Show System Drives

• In the R/W Limiting page change the BWL settings

Default no cache is checked for the internal iSCSI virtual desktop.

This is to prevent Archiware to fill up the on demand cache. This
also means that smb does not trigger on demand caching.

31.1 Restore
When using P5 via the SAS port for restore there is no bandwidth
control so this may disturb other DDP activities.
For regular restore activities it is recommended to use a separate desktop
with Archiware installed on it and ddpvolume mounted.

32 E-mails
Email settings in the DDP use the standard Linux Exim4 program. For notifi-
cations and error reporting Email addresses can be entered in this page.

32.1 From
In this field the DDPs Email address can be entered. When the company name
is Anyname and the email address is [email protected] the DDP address may
be something like [email protected].

32.2 SMTP Server

Please enter your SMTP Server address here. This can be a fixed IP address
in the format: 172.16.0.4 or a name.

32.3 Send Event Notifications to the following Email addresses.

To add an Email address:

• Select Add.

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 Figure 24: Email Settings

• Enter an E-mail address.

• Press OK.

To Remove: select the Email address and press Remove.

To Test if the Email send is received by the proper person, press Test.
Raidcard event notifications from the raidcard (s) are emailed.

32.4 Send Information about the Background Processes to the

following Email addresses
To add an Email address:

• Select Add.

• Enter an E-mail address.

• Press OK.

To Remove: select the Email address and press Remove.

To Test if the Email send is received by the proper person, press Test.
Currently none of the background processes indicator is not in use.

59
33 Quota
When the state of ddpvolume changes from unmounted to mounted
the file system is scanned to verify the quota. Depending on the
amount of files this can take minutes
Ddpvolume is unmounted when neither ddpvolume nor any of its folder
volumes is connected and the Archiware and SMB checkbox are not checked.
To prevent unneccessary scanning always check the Archiware
checkbox in the DDP Volume page
On the bottom left the pie shows used, free and total capacity per Data
Location.

Figure 25: Quota

33.1 How to change Quota

• In the Quota page click on the quota column of the folder volume.

• To change from percentage to value or vice versa select percentage or GB

radio button below.

• Change the value with the slider or type the value.

• Press Set.

60
 The quota setting determines how much capacity is available for each fold-
ervolume separately. When the page opens the foldervolumes show up with
the total and free capacity. The Initial Quota value down below is the initial
value to be used for foldervolumes to be newly created. To change this value a
value must be entered and the Set button pressed. Clicking on a value in the
Quota column enables setting a quota manually. Depending on percentage or
GB selection down below the value is in percentages or a fixed value.
Currently the following need to be considered when using quota:

• The quota percentage is always calculated referenced to the total sys-

tem’s capacity. This may be confusing when a folder volume is not set to
balanced but assigned to a single DL instead.

• The quota GB value is always calculated referenced to the total system’s

capacity. This may be confusing when a folder volume is not set to bal-
anced but assigned to a single DL instead.

• The quota can still be useful for folder volumes assigned to a single DL
by setting the GB value lower then the DL’s capacity.

• Total system capacity is the capacity of all DL’s combined without the
cache DL.

The recalculate function is only there in cases where it looks like there is a
mismatch. The recalculate is done for the file system as a whole. The folder-
volume of ddpvolume must have at least a mount for recalculate to function.
There is a mount when Archiware check box is active or when Archiware check
box is not active and at least ddpvolume or one folder volume is connected
to the desktop. Recalculate is an action button and the recalculation may
take some time. Pressing recalculate again before the first is finished start the
recalculation again.

34 Date/Time
It is good practise to connect DDP and desktops to a time server. In fact in an
Avid environment it is a necessity because scanning of the MediaFiles directories
rely upon that. The obvious way is to connect DDP and desktops to the
company time server which connects to an NTP time server. Or alternatively
directly via internet to the NTP time server available for your country. When
that is not possible the NTP Settings field can be left open. When the Time
Server field is left open the DDP can function as a time server. With Add an
IP address can be entered of a known external (NTP) Time Server. The lock is
effective immediately when Apply is pressed. If a DNS server is connected (see
the DNS page for that) also a name can be entered.
To Connect the DDP to a NTP Time Server do the following:

• Select Add.

• Type the IP address of the Time Server.

61
 Figure 26: DDPTimeserver

• Press OK.

• Press Apply. In the View window the outcome of the action is displayed.

To Remove an NTP Time Server do the following:

• Select the Time Server IP address.

• Select Remove.

• Press Apply. In the View window the outcome of the action is displayed.

To synchronize desktops to the DDP as time server:

The add and remove procedure described above has to be done first to initialize
the DDP time servers configuration for that. One can for example type ap-
ple.time.com after selecting Add and then press Apply. Then select the text:
apple.time.com and press Remove and then Apply again. The configuration file
is initialized now.
Press the Refresh NTP time server button and watch the text in the table.
The symbol st is important and stands for the Stratum. The Stratum must
be 2 or 1 to allow synchronizing the desktops. A Stratum is a measure of the
average defiation of the reference clock. Next the procedure how to connect a
Windows and Mac client to the DDP as time server is shown.
Windows Client

• Select Control Panel and then Clock, Language and Region.

• Set the date and time using the Date and Time tab.

• Click the Time Zone tab.

62
 • Set the time zone for the location of the Windows Ethernet client.

• Configure the internet time settings with Change settings by entering the
IP address of the time server.

• Select update now.

• Click OK to close the dialog box and save the settings.

• Reboot the client and check and compare the time.

When current time has a large offset compared to the real time,
a time as close as possible to the real time must be manually entered
first.
Mac Client
The following procedure will vary slightly depending upon your Macintosh
OS version. See your Macintosh documentation for information on accessing
System Preferences.

• Select Apple icon, then System Preferences and then Date and Time. The
Date and Time Control Panel opens.

• Select the current date and time automatically box

• Enter the IP address of the NTP server.

• Select Set Daylight-Saving Time Automatically if your location observes

Daylight Saving Time.

• Click Set Time Zone. A dialog box opens, listing cities and countries. Be
aware that (GMT) means absolute GMT time while (GMT+1) means plus or
minus summer time.

• Select the name of the city and country closest to the client location.

• Click OK to set the time zone.

• Close the Date and Time Control Panel to save the settings.

• Reboot the desktop.

In the DDP web interface only GMT based time zones can be set and does
not take summer/winter time changes into account. To set BST time or correct
for summer/winter time changes please logon to the DDP and use the command
(at command line) dpkg-reconfigure tzdata and select for example Europe and
then for example London or your own region.
As an example it is explained how to set an external time server and use
time zone BST.

• Enter IP address of the time server.

• Verify the settings with Refresh NTP Status (Stratum).

63
 • Logon to the DDP via ssh root@DDP IP address.

• On command line type: dpkg-reconfigure tzdata.

• Select the proper region and place.

35 Language
Some languages can be selected here.

36 DNS
DNS servers can be entered here. When one of the ethernet ports is set to DHCP
and a DHCP lease has been obtained the current Settings window shows the
DNS IP address. The DNS Servers window is there in case DNS Servers must
be added manually.

37 Gateway
When one wants to route data from one subnet to another a separate router
or gateway or modem must be connected and reachable. The address set in
Gateway is the IP address of that gateway or router. All data with an IP
address not within DDP subnet(s) are forwarded to this address. A Gateway
IP address can be entered manually and must be in one of the subnets of the
DDP.
When one of the ethernet ports is set to DHCP and a DHCP lease has been
obtained the Current Settings window shows the Gateway address (also lease).
It is not possible to enter a gw address for a DHCP connection. To remove the
Gateway please enter 0.0.0.0 and restart the DDP. If a fixed IP address

38 Installers
Do not update or install Archiware on the DDP via an Archiware
server. This corrupts the DDP.
iSCSI drivers can not yet be downloaded here. They can either be used
from the USB stick delivered with the DDP or downloaded from a link provided
by [email protected]. This page is used to upload DDP software to the
DDP. The DDP software comes as .zip file in the format v5.0x.0xx and can be
downloaded from a link provided.

• In Choose file select the zip file

• Press Submit

The window shows the update activity. The update is finished in less then 20
seconds after which the DDP can be rebooted. The DDP version thus uploaded
does not contain Archiware. So this update does not update Archiware. When

64
a newer version of Archiware is available and must be installed the following
actions must be performed:

• Download the proper Archiware version for Linux from the Archiware
website

• Use scp in Terminal on Mac or Putty on Windows to copy the file to /tmp
on the DDP. Example: scp Downloads/awpst541.tgz ssh [email protected]:/tmp/awpst541.tgz
Enter the password:

• Login over ssh to the DDP do the following commands.

• cd /tmp/avfs-dbase/aw Change directory.

• sh stop-server Stop Archiware

• tar xpzf /tmp/awpst541.tgz Install Archiware version. xpzf must be user for
tar

• sh start-server Start Archiware

When a DDP has been cleanly installed remotely (this happens when the
software is changed from V3 to V4) only DDP software is installed. When
Archiware must be used it needs to be cleanly installed afterwards. This is the
procedure how to do a clean install of Archiware.

• Download the proper Archiware version for Linux from the Archiware
website

• Use scp in Terminal on Mac or Putty on Windows to copy the file to /tmp
on the DDP. Example: scp Downloads/awpst541.tgz ssh [email protected]:/tmp/awpst541.tgz
Enter the password:

• Login over ssh to the DDP do the following commands.

• Type: mkdir /tmp/avfs-dbase/aw

• cd /tmp/avfs-dbase/aw Change directory.

• tar xpzf /tmp/awpst541.tgz Install Archiware version. xpzf must be user for
tar

• Type: ./install.sh and select option1

• Type at port: 8001.

• Continue at option 2
• sh start-server Start Archiware

Because of compatibility issues: ask Ardis if Archiware version

P5.5. and onwards can be used on the DDP.

65
 Figure 27: UpS from APC

39 UPS
The function of the UPS is to make sure that when there is a power outtage
the DDP gets a signal from the UPS upon which the DDP halts in a normal
way.
Login to the command line interface of the DDP and type: man apcupsd for
more information. There it is described how to configure the APC UPS. You
can also configure via the web interface APC icon. The easy way is to connect
the UPS via USB. One of the USB connectors at the rear of the DDP can be
used for that.
To enable the UPS with USB:
• Activate Enabled
• Select USB
• Press Apply
To enable the UPS with a serial connection:
• Activate Enabled
• Select Serial
• Enter the Port type The port can be obtained from the APC manual.
To start the APCUPS deamon the DDP requires a restart.
To test if the communication between DDP and UPS functions the following
can be done:
• login to the DDP via ssh using the DDP credentials
• Disconnect the power cords of the UPS
• Check the prints on the terminal screen for errors
Of course also other UPS brands can be used but they may need a Linux
driver installation. Shortly the APC UPS will be monitored via Nagios on the
DDP

66
40 Connections

Figure 28: Connections

A portal Group must be defined if you need more bandwidth then 110 MB/s
over a 1GbE network. A Portal Group is a group of at least two ethernet ports
sharing the bandwidth within one session. This is called Mutiple Connection
per Session, in short: MCS. Usable bandwidth with 2 x 1GbE ports is around
150 MB/s. Any number of portals can be made and each portal can contain 2
or more subnet IP addresses. MCS can also be used with 10 GbE.
Only use ethernet ports with fixed IP addresses
Nics on desktops must always be in different subnets
Disconnect the DDP volumes from the desktop before setting up
MCS
Make sure that on Mac in iSCSIPrefs-Options-MaxConnections is
set to 2. If not do so as administrator on the Mac and restart the
desktop
MCS is not supported using iSCSI under Linux
To initialize MCS for 2 x GbE ports on the DDP do the following:

• Select the DDP port. The port over which the desktop communicates.

67
 • Select Edit.

• Type “1”.Can be any number, 1,2,3 and so on. Only a number.

• Press Apply.

• Select the other DDP port. The port over which the desktop also wants to
communicate.

• Select Edit.

• Type “1”.

• Press Apply.

To check if MCS is setup properly connect a DDP volume to the desktop

and run either the Aja or Blackmagic speedtest. If the result is equal or below
110 MB/s check if Bandwidth Limitation is set. Else do the following:
For Windows:

• Select the Microsoft iSCSI Initiator (see the appropriate manuals for that)

• Check in Targer-Details of the iSCSI initiator if “connection count” is 2

(or more). If that is not the case please check the setup procedure again. In
principe thsi should happen automatically.

• Select connections in the initiator and check that Round Robin is selected.

For Mac:

• Connect a DDP volume to the desktop.

• Open iSCSIPrefs.

• Select Server and in the window enter one IP address of the DDP.Enter
only one IP address of the DDP

• Press Connect and click on the arrow in front of the DDP’s IP address.

• Select the volume and press Disks. Verify that Connections is 2/4 or 2/2. If
not check your installation or change .

The iSCSI Initiator in Linux does not support MCS

41 Raidcards
When a drive or SSD fails the leds of the raidset start to blink, the
event notification in the web interface DDP Monitor becomes red
and blinks and if the Email is properly set an Email is send.
This page adapt itself depending on the raidcard type and number used. The
next chapter explains what to do when a drive or SSD fails. In this chapter

68
general information is discussed. DDP now carry LSI raidcards. So this will be
discussed first.
The drive status and the Event Log of the raidcards is made visible by
selecting System Events in the Event Log page. See the picture. It shows
in the following order: Controller (Raidcard) information, Array information,
Disk information and Event information. With Clear Log the display is cleared.
All information in the picture is from a DDP16D with one raidcard and two
raid 5 sets of 8 x 3 TB drives.

Figure 29: LSIRaidcardEventLog

cx = the controller or raidcard ID. DDP8D, DDP16D and DDP24D all have
one raidcard so x = 0, so c0. DDP48D has two raidcards called c0 and c1. ux
= vx = is a virtual drive number or raid set number. Depending on the DDP
configuration there are one or more virtual drive number or raid sets. In this
case there is u0 and u1 so c0u0 and c0u1 identify the raidsets. px = the so

69
called phy. It stands for the physical connection between the backplane and
the disk. sx = slot ID. The slot idea for a DDP16D is labelled s1 to s16. Slot
numbering is from top left (s1) to top right (s4), from next row left (s5) and so
on to bottom right (s16). This scheme is valid for all standalone DDPs except
that the DDP8D end at s8 and DDP24D at s24 and DDP48D at s48. ex =
enclosure ID. Each standalone DDP enclosure in this case the DDP16D has ID
= e8 in this case for the drives and raidsets. But the enclosure itself also has
an ID, ID = e252 (or 0xfc in this case), related to enclosure functions such as
fan speed, power supply and chassis temperature. The drives are labelled in
column Slot ID. The enclosure ID is displayed together with the slot ID for the
drives: 8:s1 to s16; 8:1 to 8:16.

Figure 30: RaidCardPageLSI

There are many commands available to manage the controller, raid sets and
drives. In the chapter Failing Disk the first line support commands which are
in this page are discussed. All other commands for the raidcard can be accessed
via the StorCLI interface as follows:

70
 • Logon to the DDP via Terminal or Putty with ssh root@DDPIPAddress
and then the password.

• Type storcli.

• Example: type: storcli /c0 show cc cc stands for consistency check.

The DDP recognizes which raidcards are used. When LSI the page is as
described. When Areca the Areca page and options show op These raidcards
can be accessed directly via this page. When you press the raidcard button in
the page the browser of the raidcard starts up. The login credentials to get into
the raidcard were on the delivery note which came with this DDP. The Areca
raidcard manual can be downloaded. For anyone who wants to learn more about
the raidcard options. Raidcards communicate with the drives. In addition to
accessing these Areca raidcards via the DDP webbrowser these raidcards in
most cases also have an ethernet port. IE for PC or Firefox on Mac is then
needed. These raidcard’s ethernet port is 100 Mbit/s and the factory settings
are 172.16.5.10x. With x is from 0 to n when there are more of these raidcards.
When the Time Zone is changed in the Date/Time page and Apply is pressed
also the Time Zone of these raidcards are updated. When an NTP server is
added or changed in Date/Time the NTP information in the raidcards is up-
dated as well. The ethernet ports of these raidcards must be connected
and able to communicate with the time server to give an accurate
NTP based time

42 Failing Disk with LSI raidcard

As of software version V4.00.014a when the issue is a failing drive or SSDs
the DDP beeps and the leds of the raidset indicate which drive is faulty. Also
an Email is send when Email sending is set in the Email page plus the Event
Notification on top of IO Monitor blinks and show the event. Since the Raidcard
is also able to signal via Nagios in the Nagios page the card shows critical instead
of OK.

42.1 To silence the beeper

• Goto the Raidcard page.

• Press Silence Beeper once.

42.2 To Identify a drive

When in doubt about the drive numbering the Identify drive option is available
in the Raidcard page. When in front of the DDP the numbering is from left
top (1) to right top (4) and then again next row left to right and so on. This
can be verified as follows

• Goto the Event log page and press System Events Note ID and Slot:ID. ID
identifies the raidsetnr and Slot ID the enclosure : carrier nr.

71
 Figure 31: EventNotification

• Goto the Raidcard page and select controller/enclosure controllers are c0,c1,
enclosures start with e e.g c0/e8.

• Enter the Slot ID in the small pane left (the selector) from Identify
Drive.Number starts with 1 and can go up to 60.

• Press Identify Drive once and check the blinking.

• Press again to stop this.

42.3 To insert a spare drive

• While the DDP is on take out the faulty drive and insert the spare.

Swap the drive while the DDP is on

42.4 To reinsert the existing drive

it is not guaranteed that a drive giving an error is actually faulty. This means
that check if the drive is indeed faulty the driver can be taken out and reinserted
again according to the following procedure

• If needed check with identify drive the selection below.

• Take out the drive and insert again.

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 • Goto the Event log page and press System Events Note ID and Slot:ID. ID
identifies the raidsetnr and Slot ID the enclosure : carrier nr.

• Goto the Raidcard page and select controller/enclosure controllers are c0,c1,
enclosures start with e e.g c0/e8.

• Enter the Slot ID in the small pane left (the selector) from Identify
Drive.Number starts with 1 and can go up to 60.
• Press Reinsert Disk.

43 Failing Disk with Areca Raidcard

As of software version V4.00.014a when the issue is a failing drive or SSDs
the DDP beeps and the leds of the raidset indicate which drive is faulty. Also
an Email is send when Email sending is set in the Email page plus the Event
Notification on top of IO Monitor blinks and show the event.

43.1 To Identify a drive

When in doubt about the drive numbering the Identify drive option is available
in the Raidcard page. When in front of the DDP the numbering is from left
top (1) to right top (4) and then again next row left to right and so on. This
can be verified as follows

Figure 32: Raidcards

• Goto the Raidcard page.

• Select the raidcard
• Logon to the raidcard using the raidcard logon credentials Now you are in
the Areca raidcard browser.

73
 • Select Physical Drives

• Select Identify Drive and check whether the proper slot has been identi-
fied.

43.2 To insert a spare drive

• While the DDP is on take out the faulty drive and insert the spare.

Swap the drive while the DDP is on

43.3 To reinsert the existing drive

it is not guaranteed that a drive giving an error is actually faulty. This means
that check if the drive is indeed faulty the driver can be taken out and reinserted
again according to the following procedure

• If needed check with identify drive the selection below.

• Take out the drive and insert again.

43.4 To silence the beeper

• Goto the Raidcard page.

• Select the raidcard

• Logon to the raidcard using the raidcard logon credentials Now you are in
the Areca raidcard browser.

• Select System Controls

• Select View Events/Mute Beeper. There is silence again.

44 Nagios
The Nagios SNMP server is part of the DDP installation. SNMP traps will
then be served by Nagios. Currently the raidcard(s) and network ports are
implemented via SNMP traps. These SNMP traps are forwarded to the Email
page and to Event Notification on the home page of the web interface. For
bigger installation Nagios or similar SNMP management server product can be
used externally. Integration of an external SNMP application with the DDP is
not part of the delivery unless specifically ordered.

45 Remote Diag
For Redundant DDP’s see the DDPRedundantInstallationGuide how
to setup a Service Connection.
A remote connection to the DDP for Ardis Technologies is manda-
tory for service and support

74
 Figure 33: NagiosLSIRaidcard

“Make Service Connection” is very important. In the case of an issue it allows

the DDP to make contact with Ardis Technologies allowing Ardis Technologies
to login and advise what to do. To be able to use “Service Connection” one of
the DDP Ethernet ports must be connected to Internet. NIC2 is factory set to
DHCP for that and when a DHCP server is there and when the ethernet cable
to NIC2 is connected during DDP power up and port 22 outgoing (secure shell
port) is released service connection should work.
Make sure that NICx ports (where x can be 1 and onwards) all are
on different subnets. This must also be guaranteed for NIC2. When
NIC2 is used with DHCP, the IP address released by the DHCP
server for NIC2 must also be in a unique subnet.

To setup Service Connection with the DDP Gui using a DHCP server:
Using the preconfigured NIC2 is the most straightforward procedure to setup
a service connection.

• Connect an ethernet cable to NIC2. NIC2 should be reachable by the DHCP

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 server. Most internet modems do have a DHCP server on board.

• Check is NIC2 is set to DHCP.

• Press the Get DHCP lease button. the Current Settings should show now
a proper IP address for NIC2 plus subnet mask and DNS server and Gateway
address

• Make sure port 22 outgoing (ssh port) is open on the Gateway, Modem or Fire-
wall. When you connect to an internet modem port 22 is open as is.

• Press Service Connection.

• Call Ardis technologies on 0031-26-3622337 to find out if SC was success-

ful.

If NIC2 is set to DHCP and connected and if there is no DNS

server this may lock the DDP. Make sure both DHCP and DNS
server are available

To setup Service Connection using a fixed IP address In this case: before

this procedure can be followed the IP address and Gateway for the designated
NIC must be set. Do this in the Network and Gateway pages.
What to do when this all does not work?
In that case one has to go beyond the graphical interface and fall back on the
command line interface using either Terminal on Mac or Putty on PC. When
that does not function one has to use a monitor and keyboard directly connected
to the DDP. If a monitor with a VGA connector and a usb keyboard is available
you can get into the DDP this way. The user name is root and password: aap.
Login with Terminal or Putty

• Open Terminal or Putty.

• Type: ssh root@DDP IP address. DDP address which is in the same subnet
as this desktop.

• Type: yes when a question appears where this is required. Does not always
appear.

• Type: aap the factory set password.

• You are logged on to the DDP.

We describe a setup where cables between NIC1 and NIC2 are connected
to a switch. First make sure that NIC1 is within a different subnet then your
DHCP net. NIC1 is factory set to 172.16.5.4 with subnet mask 255.255.0.0. To
use Terminal or Putty do the following:

• Make sure your computer’s IP address is in the same subnet as NIC1.

• Open Terminal on MAC or DOS command, CommandPrompt on PC. In

Applications-Utilities on the Mac and in Programs- Accessories in PC.

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 • Type: ping 172.16.5.4. To check if there is a phyical connection. The screen
shows now: 64 bytes from 172.16.5.4: icmpseq=0 ttl=64 time=0.121 ms or sim-
ilar and on PC: reply from 172.16.5.4 and so on. You can stop the pinging on
MAC with Ctrl C.

• Open Terminal or Putty. Putty must be first installed on PC.

• Type: ssh [email protected]. This is to logon to the DDP with user name: root.

• Type: aap (password). When another question pops up first, answer this with
yes. You are logged in to the DDP now.

• Type: ifconfig Eth1. Eth1 is the same as NIC2. If Eth1 does not show an IP
address type: ifup Eth1 and check ifconfig again. This way there is no need to
restart the DDP each time while doing this.

• Type ping www.google.com if a DNS server is available. If no DNS server

is available type ping www.google.com in the terminal program on a computer
with internet access to resolve the google’s IP address (maybe for example:
74.125.77.99). Then while logged on to the DDP type ping 74.125.77.99 to test if
the DDP has internet access. If this does not function the IP address of NIC2 is
not released for internet access Please solve this problem first. Then when that
functions:

• Check if port 22 outgoing is enabled for the DDP.

• Then while still logged in to the DDP type: connect-to-internetThat is

the same as pressing the Service Connection button but when there is an issue
a message will appear showing what is wrong.

• If you believe it should function now call Ardis Technologies at 0031-26-

3622337.

Other ways to allow Ardis Technologies to logon remotely to the DDP

When a Service Connection as proposed is not allowed. A VPN must be setup
to gain access. Alternatively a wireless GSM/UMTS connection is also possible.
The Mac procedure is described as follows.:

• Install an UMTS/USB stick and software on the Mac.

• Acivate Internet Sharing in System Preferences-¿Sharing (the desktop

acts as a gateway).

• Enter the IP address of the desktop as the Gateway address in the DDP
via DDP Gui and Settings page.

• Connect the desktop with the proper port to the DDP (same subnet
different IP addresses).

• Press the Service Connection button in the Remote Diag page.

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 A wireless connection may not be fast enough for a large software
update of the DDP
For service a remote connection which allows access to the DDP for
diagnostics and update purposes is mandatory

46 Pwrd/Restart
The DDP can be powered down or restarted here. Alternatively when you press
the power down button on the front of the DDP shortly the DDP powers down
normally as well. There maybe a situation when the DDP does not react to
the remote power down or the short pressing of the power down button on the
front of the DDP (crash situation). In that case please keep the power down
on the front of the DDP pressed until the DDP switches off. Then switch the
DDP on again and contact your dealer or Ardis Technologies. Restart reboots
the DDP in a normal safe way.
With V5 the DDP can be rebooted without unmounting drives on the desktop.
Although it is advised after the return of the DDP to logout and login again.

47 DDP Monitor

Figure 34: DDP WebGui

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47.1 Event Notifications
Normally the indication shows green. This means that the event notification
of the raidcard(s) is enabled but no events are generated. You can observe this
by clicking on the green indicator. When an event occurs the green indicator
starts to blink red. Clicking on it shows the event which has occurred. To check
in depth what the reason of the event is select the Event Log icon and then
press System Events.

47.2 Background Process

When no background process is active the indicator is greyed out. The indicator
becomes green when either a volume check or backup, archive or synchronize
process is active.

47.3 Monitor
The DDP monitor shows a time based overview of the sustained Bandwidth,
IOPs or Streams. These parameters are displayed separately for Disks, Data
Locations, Network and DDP IP address.
The Data Scale can be set to Autoscale meaning that the peak determines
what the scale is. When the display mode Bandwidth is selected the Data Scale
can be used to fix the scale at a certain level. The Stream Count option divides
the Bandwidth by the selected stream bandwidth. When Streams is selected
the number of streams is shown.

47.4 Data Locations

Data Locations are shown below left. It is where the pie can be found. Total,
free and used capacity per DL is shown. DDPs are factory configured with one
or more Data Locations. The number of Data Locations depends on the number
of hard disks in the DDP. When there are two or more DL’s in the Storage
Manager, the DL is set to balanced. This results in the highest bandwidth
possible.

47.4.1 Capacity Calculation and Usage

The capacity of DDP and the pie displayed are based on the way disk drive
manufacturers calculate their capacities. The following equation is used: 1 TB
= 1000 GB = 1000 x 1000 MB = 1000 x 1000 x 1000 KB = 1000 x 1000 x 1000
x1000 Bytes. The capacities shown in My Computer on Windows and Linux
are calculated with 1024. So a capacity value displayed in the DDP of lets say
1 TB = 10**12 Bytes but 10 ** 12 bytes on a computer comes out with 10 **
12/(1024 x 1024 x 1024 x 1024) = 10 **12/(1,1 x 10 ** 12) = 0,91 TB. On the
Mac it is 1000 based.
So if a DDP24D is purchased for video with 24 x 1 TB drives. It is delivered
with raid 5 protection on each 8 drives. This means that the effective capacity
is 21 TB. This results on the Desktop in a usable capacity of max: 19,1 TB

79
and on Mac 21 TB. In addition it is also good practice to keep approximately
10 percent of the total capacity free. So the actual usable capacity will then be
around 17 TB.

48 How to get on the internet also

It is important that the bandwidth between the desktops and DDP is guaran-
teed. The DDP therefore preferably should be set up with fixed IP addresses.
The DDP setup also prefers the use of subnets over VLAN or Teaming. Use
of subnets has the advantage that bandwidth demand is confined to a subnet.
It also has the advantage that when an ethernet port or cable malfunctions
a limite number of desktops are affected and diagnosing the problem will be
quick.
Also the more deterministic the traffic the better it is. Whenever possible
office, internet and other non-DDP data traffic should run via a different ether-
net port. Most desktops these days have two GbE ports. When the bandwidth
of 1GbE port is sufficient for the type of work performed the other port (NIC2)
can be used for internet and office types of access. Of course when MCS, iMacs
or laptops are used this is not possible. However even if you have one GbE port,
multiple IP addresses can be entered for that port. You then have at least a
partial separation between the DDP data and the office data. Another option
is to use additional ethernet cards, usb2ethernet or Thunderbolt devices.

49 Intelligent Platform Management Interface, IPMI

The DDP has an IPMI interface which allows monitoring temperatures, fan
speeds, voltages, power supplies and make adjustment. The IPMI port can be
accesses via ethernet and has IP address: 172.16.5.99. The user name and
password both are ADMIN.

50 Firewall Protection
When there is a need to use a firewall between DDP and desktop the following
ports must be enabled for the DDP to properly function. Port 80,81, 3260, 1565,
1567, 1568, 1569 and 1570. When working with Avid edit applications is maybe
good te disable such firewall entirely. To work with Archiware port 8001 must
be enabled. For service connection port 22 outgoing must be available.

51 Service Connection or Teamviewer?

51.1 DDP
Ardis Technologies’s main responsibility is the DDP. Service Connection gives
us direct access to the DDP. It allows us to quickly scan through the DDP and
databases and to download and scan the logfiles. Of course in a good num-
ber of cases Teamviewer with the proper passwords to access the DDP via the

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Teamviewer desktop is a possibility as well. Also for some probably security
reason only TV 10 properly works at Ardis

51.2 Network
All endpoints on a connection must have the same MTU setting. In practise
specially when MTU = 9000 is used . In almost all installation there is at
least one desktop with the wrong MTU setting or with a flacky connection. You
should always use ping from DDP to desktop and from desktop to DDP to check
the MTU setting. both sides. In linux/mac: ping -s 9000 ¡IP address¿ In
Windows ping -l 9000 ¡IP address¿ Ping also shows the roundtrip time which
should always be less then 1ms.
There is often the situation that two desktops have the same iqn name or
the same IP address. It can also happen specially when DHCP is partly used
that two DDP IP addresses are in the same subnet. This can be checked when
looking at the logfile.

51.3 Each ethernet port on the DDP must be a unique subnet

There are many ways to setup an ethernet infrastructure. To narrow this down
we start with the capabilities of ethernet ports on a system (DDP or desktop).
Each ethernet port on the DDP or desktop no matter if it is a 1 or 10 GbE port
must have an unique subnet. To each subnet multiple endpoints (each endpoint
is an ethernet port on a desktop) can be connected. The subnetmask defines the
subnet. The factory settings of the ethernet ports on for example a DDP16D
are NIC1: 172.16.5.4. NIC2: DHCP, NIC3: 172.17.5.4, NIC4: 172.18.5.4 and
so on with the subnet set to 255.255.0.0. If the subnet mask would be 255.0.0.0.
all ports would be in the same subnet and there is no way of knowing what
is happening and the DDP might even crash. Because service connection (or
VPN) is mandatory for DDP service, NIC2 is set to DHCP. Special care must
be taken that the lease which this ports gets upon connection also has a subnet
different from all other NICs. So if the DDP has 4 GbE ports and there are
20 desktops with one endpoint for each of these desktops one can for example
decide to connect 5 Macs to each of the 4 subnets.

51.4 Autosensing or not

On Mac Pros using a 10 GbE Myricom card the speed must be set to
autosensing to remember the MTU=9000 setting in System Prefer-
ences.
There is always the discussion whether IP configuration on desktops and
switches should be set to automatic (autosensing) or manual (fixed). A way to
prevent confusion it to start with defining your requirements on the desktop and
setting these manually (such as flow control on, normal 1500 MTU or 9000,
1000baseT (1GbE)). The DDP itself uses autosensing but both frame size and
flow control must be set manually on the DDP. They must be identical to the
settings on the desktop. How and if switch settings should be set or altered will
be discussed now.

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51.5 A 1GbE infrastructure
When solely a 1GbE/RJ45 infrastructure is available or installed simple stan-
dard unmanaged 1GbE switches from brands such as Cisco budget series, Net-
gear, SMC and many others can be used. Of course managed switches can
also be used. Unmanaged switches sense what the settings of the endpoint are
and act accordingly. Although most unmanaged switches may suppport jumbo
frames (9000 size package) it is not always guaranteed. It is recommended in
general not to use jumbo frames with an all 1GbE infrastructure because it is a
setting which can easily be overlooked causing unexplanable intermittant prob-
lems. When an application such as EVS for example strongly benefits from using
jumbo frames, jumbo frames can be enabled on all components of the subnet.
Flow control must be enabled on all ports and spanning tree must be switched
off.

51.6 An all 10 and up GbE infrastructure

Most 10 GbE infrastructures are short range (SR) fiber based with LC connec-
tors. Most switches available have SFP+ electrical ports. In such ports optical
transceivers with on one side SFP+ and on the other side an LC connector fits.
A transceiver for SR can be the Finisar FTLX8571D3BCL. Ardis Technologies
does not advise specific switch brands. One can use switches from Fujitsu, HP,
Force but other will do as well. With some care regarding cable length also elec-
trical cabling with SFP+ connections can be used. In the future also 10 GbE
switches with RJ45 jacks will become more common. 10 GbE switches are man-
aged. Flow control on all ports must be enabled. Spanning tree option should
be inactive. Jumbo frames should be used to get the best performance. 10 GbE
switches operate mostly in a fixed mode due to the transceivers plugged in there.
When a 1 GbE switch with 10 GbE uplink is connected to the 10 GbE switch
you must be careful when using jumbo frames. Make sure that all components
of the subnet, switches and endpoints also are set to jumbo frames.

51.7 1 GbE switch with 10 or higher GbE uplink

There are many 1GbE switches with 10 GbE or up uplink. However not all
support Jumbo frames and some of these switches such as those from SMC
can not be used with flow control. Fujitsu and HP are good choices. When
ordering such switch often three parts are needed: the switch, the electrical
module which fits in it and has electrical interface such as SFP+ and the proper
transceiver. Transceivers from the switch manufacturers can be costly and can
always be purchased from a Finisar distributor for a better price. In standard
installation it is best practise to enable flow control on all 1GbE ports and
have flow control off on the 10 GbE ports. Also it is best to use frame size of
1500 (standard) on all endpoints (DDP and desktops) unless needed otherwise.
With flow control on on the 10 GbE line the 10 GbE bandwidth can get as low
as 1GbE in some situations. On the other hand with flow control off on 10
GbE the amount of buffer memory in the switch determines when and if packet
overrun occurs resulting in packet retransmission. In most cases however the

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10 GbE bandwidth will still be okay. In larger and or critical installations Ardis
Technologies can enable Traffic Control. With proper use of Traffic Control
and flow control enabled on 10 GbE line, the 10 GbE bandwidth remains intact
and retransmission are absent. See further for an explanation of flow control,
bandwidth limitation and traffic control.

51.8 Flow Control, Bandwidth Limiting, Traffic Control and

Switch buffer Overrun
When involved in IP infrastructure and DDP you will hear phrases such as Flow
Control, Bandwidth Limiting, Traffic Control, buffer in switches and buffer
overrun. So some explanation is needed here. Flow Control is part of the
802.3x protocol and when enabled allows the receiver to report to the sender to
hold the next IP packet. In an uplink situation it can be that each 1GbE port
on the switch asks to delay sending a packet resulting in a substantial decrease
in 10 GbE bandwidth. Hence standard Flow Control should be off on the 10
GbE link in a 1 GbE switch with 10 GbE uplink. Can Bandwidth Limitation
(BWL) help to control the bandwidth? BWL is a technology built-in in the
iSCSI part of the DDP and schedules iSCSI requests in the iSCSI initiator on
the desktop. The bandwidth is scheduled standard at a 100 ms granularity. This
means that in the situation where you have a 1 GbE switch with 10 GbE uplink
the data read requests for example are still transmitted from the DDP at 10 GbE
speed. To give an example suppose the desktop request 1 MB of data. At 10
GbE it is transmitted from the DDP at 1200 MB/s. That takes less then 1ms
transmission time into the switch and takes 10 ms to get to the desktop. All
much faster then the BWL scheduling is. BWL is there to prevent overloading
drive access. A desktop can take up all the drive access time when they are
allowed for example to copy or render at the highest speed possible. BWL does
not help preventing switch buffer overrun. Traffic Control on the contrary allows
packet transmission scheduling on TCP/IPStack level. This happens on packet
scale. Its parameters are set for a particular IP range. In the situation with the
1 GbE switch with 10 GbE uplink from the onset the packets for each desktop
IP address is scheduled at a rate of say 100 MB/s max. Thereby emulating a
1GbE line. So 1500 byte packages for a particular desktop would be transmitted
with 15 us interval instead of 1,5 us interval with other packets interleaved.

51.9 Subnet and VLAN

DDP is a system with mutiple ethernet ports. Just like any computer with
multiple ethernet ports each ports needs to have its own unique subnet. A subnet
is defined at the IP address level with the (sub)netmask. Subnets are transparant
for switches and both layer 2 or layer 3 switches can be used with the DDP. Layer
2 switches have the ability to create VLANs. VLANs are based on the lower
level physical MAC address of the ethernet ports. Both subnets and VLAN can
be used simultaneously. Be aware that still subnets must be created for the DDP.

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51.10 Teaming, Bonding
Teaming and bonding are terms used for the same. On desktops with two NICS
these can be setup as behaving as one IP address. That way two ethernet lines
go to a switch. When one line fails the communication still continuous via
the other line. This teaming is transparant to our desktop software such as
the iSCSI initiator and AVFS metadata controller driver because it is setup at
the TCP/IP level. On request the DDP can be delivered with 10 GbE failover
ports to enable the same robustness but then on a 10 GbE connection between
DDP and switch. Teaming gives more robustness but there is no increase in
bandwidth.
Separately DDP support Multiple Connection Per Session (MCS) which does
create a doubling of bandwidth. MCS is switch transparant. Groups of IP ports
(portal groups) are defined in the DDP and desktops operating within these
subnets have increased bandwidth with two or more connections. The iSCSI
commands are scheduled over the multiple lines.

51.11 Firewall Protection

When there is a need to use a firewall between DDP and desktop the following
ports must be enabled for the DDP to properly function. Port 6000, 3260, 1565,
1567, 1568, 1569 and 1570. When working with Avid edit applications is maybe
good to disable such firewall entirely.

51.12 V5 and Clusters and Transparant Failover Solutions

This manual so far describes the DDP software. In many situations that DDP
software manages DDP type storage such as standalone DDP’s micro and miniDDP’s
and storage arrays such as DDPEX series as a single entity. This is becoming
different with V5 for DDP clusters and transparant failover solutions. With V5
AVFS and iSCSI are separate.
You can see this when mounting a folder volume on the desktop on a mac
for example and then check Disk Utility and compare this with desktop display
in the desktop page or in the tableview page with Show System Drive active or in
the iSCSI Initiator Server page. What we do is mount all Data Locations (Luns
or Devices) via iSCSI on the desktop. The AVFS client driver then combines
these as Raid0 and virtualizes this further to allow the presentation of folder
volumes on mac, windows and linux. The file system itself lives in the DDP
and not in the desktop like before with V4 and before that V3.
Each DDP, DDP storage array or third party storage can have one or more
Data Locations and can have also one or more IP addresses. For a non redun-
dant cluster this results in a list of IP addresses per subnet which need to be
entered automatically or manually at the desktop. When two DDP’s are clus-
tered one will be the master (iSCSI and AVFS) and the other will be iSCSI only
(target for the desktops and master).
A transparant failover DDP consists of a dual DDP Head plus at least one
iSCSI based redundant raid DDP storage array. The dual Head is the metadta
controller and communicates with the desktops via AVFS. The storage array or

84
arays solely communicates via iSCSI with the desktops. So a minimum of 4
DDP IP addresses and a minimum of 2 iqn names must be entered per desktop.
The IP addresses can all be in the same subnet via one ethernet cable or via
two cables (using bonding between switch and desktops) or using two cables over
two subnets. Multipathing is used for data failover and the AVFS has its own
protocol to switch during a metadata failover. For V5 it is relevant whether
data transfer is via iSCSI, SAS, FC or Infiniband. In practise there will be
situations where FC Storage which is already present must be integrated in a
setup. There maybe also situations where apart from the dual DDP Heads als
storage arrays are from Seagate, HP, Dell etc.

51.13 Desktop drivers

V5 requires V5 drivers. These drivers can be currently be downloaded from our
V5 google drive link. For example: for Windows: SetupArdisV5-win-010419,
Extras-secureboot, fo Mac: iSCSI-1.3.5-notarized, AVFS-2.5.2-notarized and
various Linux AVFS drivers. Currently V5 drivers can be used with V4 and
V5 DDP’s but are not compatible with V3 DDP’s. So you can not mix a V3
and V5 DDP and have desktop access to both. You can mix a V3 and V4 DDP
using Mac drivers 1.2.19 and 2.4.13 and for Windows 3.0.3 or 3.50.

51.14 Useful
The NIC of a Mac with the latest Adobe software and DDP drivers when us-
ing the GPU for rendering on a ddp volume may become inactive. When that
happens the Mac has to be restarted again.
Currently the DDP does not support hard links.

85