When we initially began with Aperture we were using in with local libraries on MacBook Pros. Realizing the space constraints we were recommended to use a Drobo FS. The issue we soon realized that the Drobo FS uses “Beyond Raid” technology to store files that doesn't seem compatible with Aperture/Mac. So we bought a g-Drive and everything works great.
Backup - we wanted to backup the G-Drive (where the current library(ies), vaults, images are etc to the Drobo. This seems to be a daunting task and we're unable to move, copy, or backup the library/vaults to the Drobo because it is “Shared” conected to the network via an Airport Extreme.
I read in another forum about someone using a Drobo with Aperture. The user connected the Drobo to a Mac mini running server software. Thus the Drobo was not shared and he could access all of his Aperture libraries etc from any of his computers.
So here goes…. realizing that we'll quickly run out of space on our 2TB g-Drive (880GB of images, 400GB of video, 100GB library) we're looking for the best solution to manage this mess. Can we attach the Drobo directly to the Mini running OSX Server to run and backup Aperture? And can we access the libraries from any computer on the network? Are we still facing the “BeyondRaid” issue?
Is the “BeyondRaid” the issue preventing us from using the Drobo w/ Aperture or is it the connection through the Airport Extreme and it’s Shared status?
If the latter, I assume the issue is a mounting one… we can’t mount the shared drive, but i imagine we could if it is directly connected to the MacMini Server?
Katy,
A few things to discuss here. Drobo’s “beyond RAID” is a great idea in theory, but unfortunately in my (and many others) experience, it’s not a stable technology. I used to use it, and fought with it regularly, and finally replaced it with a Promise RAID (normal RAID 5) and have never looked back.
That said, if you have a unit that is working then that’s great. I don’t think there is any inherent problem with using it for Aperture for storing the Originals (and probably even storing the Library itself). The issues I and others have had with the Drobo weren’t access issues, so I’m not sure why you’d have been told not to use it for Aperture.
But regardless, you now want to use it for backup. You didn’t specify what backup software you’re using, but the problem with the Drobo for anything automated like backup is that the Finder can’t tell how much space is actually free on it (only the Drobo utility can), and therefore any software you use has no way to know when it’s running out of space.
That said, there is a way to use the Drobo as a fixed size drive, which is what the Finder expects to see. I don’t recall the steps, but I know if you search the Drobo website for “time machine”, you will find instructions on setting it up to work with TM, which requires a fixed drive size.
There shouldn’t be any need to connect it as a shared volume through a Mac mini, although you certainly could. I don’t see why you would have any problems doing that; the OS doesn’t think it’s any different than any normal hard drive. You should even be able to connect it to an Airport Extreme as a mountable volume if you wanted. Granted I haven’t tried any of that so maybe someone else can share a different experience, but I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t work.
@PhotoJoseph
— Have you signed up for the mailing list?
not using any backup software currently. Just moving/copying files there as necessary. Cannot mount from the airport extreme, thus as a shared drive Aperture cannot use it. That’s how we started and it worked for a while, but as the amount of data got larger Aperture/drobo couldnt deal with the share, it needs to be mounted. That is why i want to mount it to the mini and utilize osx server. Just dont want to drop another $1000+ on something that won’t work.
Katy,
If it used to work and simply stopped as you got more files on there, I think that points to a problem with the Drobo, not the way you are using it.
Does it mount if you just plug it into your Mac?
I think this is a Drobo tech support issue I’m afraid.
@PhotoJoseph
— Have you signed up for the mailing list?