Rohde & Schwarz Spycer Box – with IBM Spectrum Scale: Efficient storage solutions at NAB2017

Reliable storage solutions are essential for broadcasters and post production houses. Digital content is the media industry’s key asset. It must be securely and safely stored. At the same time, certain media files must be quickly and reliably accessible. As budgets shrink and cost pressure grows, efficient storage becomes key in every respect.

To meet these requirements, IBM Spectrum Scale is now available for the R&S SpycerBox product family. This file system enables users to more efficiently utilize different storage tiers based on their needs. Combining high-performance R&S SpycerBox Cell online storage and powerful R&S SpycerBox Ultra TL nearline storage with IBM Spectrum Scale provides the basis for a centralized, tiered storage solution.

The file system solution assigns files to the most efficient storage location based on how frequently they are needed and other file characteristics. The advantages of the R&S SpycerBox products are optimally utilized. For example, R&S SpycerBox Cell features exceptional performance for realtime processing of video material, while R&S SpycerBox Ultra TL is a much more cost-effective nearline storage medium.

IBM Spectrum Scale allows files to be automatically or manually stored in the optimal location. Since file paths remain constant regardless of which tier is used, workflows do not have to be modified.

"It is important for our customers to be able to reliably access their media files at any time," says Stefan Weidner, Sales Director Media at Rohde & Schwarz. "This data is their company's most important asset. With IBM Spectrum Scale on R&S SpycerBox Cell or R&S SpycerBox Ultra TL, broadcasters and post production companies can rest easy knowing that their key asset is securely and cost-effectively stored."

As storage requirements increase, storage solutions must be scalable in terms of capacity and bandwidth. Customers in the media branch cannot tolerate any interruptions during production and broadcasting when they expand their storage space. The R&S SpycerBox series is capable of non-destructive scaling. Individual R&S SpycerBox Cell systems can be combined to achieve even more performance.

"In the media branch, a deadline is a deadline – especially for broadcasters. There are no extensions," says Dirk Thometzek, Product Manager File Based Media Solutions. "That's why a storage solution that guarantees efficient workflows is so important. The combination of Rohde & Schwarz hardware with the IBM file system makes it possible to scale the performance and capacity of centralized storage without interruption."

R&S SpycerBox Cell and R&S SpycerBox Ultra TL with the IBM Spectrum Scale will be available in the third quarter of 2017. Quantum® StorNext is still available as a file system option.

Rohde & Schwarz

The Rohde & Schwarz electronics group offers innovative solutions in all fields of wireless communications as well as in IT security. Founded more than 80 years ago, the independent company has an extensive sales and service network with subsidiaries and representatives in more than 70 countries. On June 30, 2016, Rohde & Schwarz had approximately 10,000 employees. The group achieved a net revenue of approximately EUR 1.92 billion in the 2015/2016 fiscal year (July to June). The company is headquartered in Munich, Germany, and also has strong regional hubs in Asia and the USA.