Okeydoke,
I work for the small video production arm of a larger organisation.
We are a mix of Macs and PCs, we're growing, we're messy, and we're about to upgrade our network infrastructure (only my team, not the wider organisation).
I've been discussing some typical workload scenarios with our IT contractors, and based on this we've created a solution based around a Synology RS3617xs. The proposed solution looks as though it will perform all the tasks required of it, and give us the performance we need (including two workstations editing 4K directly from the NAS over 10GbE). Great.
However, I'm aware of video specific networking products from companies like Quantum, companies with "entry level" solutions that start at about 5x the cost of our current Synology-based proposal (we're at around $15k, Quantum's Xcellis Foundation would be around $70k). Such products are pitched at teams of around our size and workload, but they come at a significant premium. Why?
I've been trying to read up on the benefits of this premium kit, but while I (hopefully) understand the USPs being advertised, I'm struggling to see the 5-6x value that arises from the 5-6x cost.
Ultimately, I think we'll pursue the Synology solution, benefit hugely, and that will be that (partly because we don't have the budget for more expensive infrastructure). Perhaps my inability to better appreciate the value of video specific networking products suggests that I am not in the market for them. That said, I do have purchasing decisions to make and I am keen for them to be educated.
I hope this qualifies as a relevant question. I've deliberately avoid talk of team sizes and typical video bitrate in an attempt to minimize reading tedium.
Ta in advance,
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