Embedded Files
The Nexis is a shared storage system available on the University network, accessible only from the Edit Suites and Mac Labs (CMG30 and CMG31) in Commons.
Logging In
If you are using the NEXIS you must login via the university network. After switching on a machine you will see the login screen. Enter your network username and password.
Please take care entering your password correctly. Three incorrect attempts will lock your account. You need to contact the IT Helpdesk [ext. 6500] to have your account unlocked or wait an hour and the lock is automatically removed.
Using the NEXIS
The post-production suites are ethernet connected rooms that link to and share a SAN (storage area network), the Avid NEXIS. This is a 100TB capacity high-performance storage volume. After your induction you will be allocated a virtual share on the NEXIS, called a Workspace. Once set up, you can mount and access it from any connected room, and it behaves like a normal hard drive. When we create a Workspace for the first time we will set you a data allocation of 100GB. If you don’t use this allocation it will be reduced to 25GB.
Accessing your Workspace(s)
You can mount and access any Workspaces you have access to using the Avid Nexis Client Manager app.
Once the app has been launched, in the Systems section you should see Nexis listed, and User as ‘not connected’. Click on the ‘Nexis’ and it will highlight in green.
Click the ‘Connect to Selected System(s)’ button.
In the ‘System Login’ pop-up window, enter your network username and password.
In the Workspaces section you will now see a list of all the Workspaces you have access to. By default you should have a personal Workspace, which only you have access to. If you’ve been granted access, you may see other shared Workspaces listed.
Click to select the Workspace you want to mount, and click on the ‘Mount Selected Workspace(s)’ button.
NEXIS Best Practice
Storing and working with media files on the SAN means that you are not tied to any particular room or machine so your work can be continued in any of the connected rooms. You should also experience fast working speeds and software will be stable and perform well, allowing you to get the most out of the edit machines in each room.
The BSU NEXIS has been designed with majority HD workflow in mind. The system will accommodate some 4K workflows, but not in all rooms at the same time. So you may experience 4K playback issues due to the higher data rates involved.
In the Avid NEXIS Client Manager ‘General Settings’:
Click on the drop down menu for ‘Client Type’ and ensure that ‘Ultra High Resolution’ is selected:
Your Data
At the end of each academic year the TV Studio tech team will perform a summer clear down of Workspace data, for a fresh start the following year. This will include that year’s graduates as well as production/project team shared Workspaces. This is because the NEXIS is a high-performance edit environment for active projects only and is not for long-term storage, and keeps the NEXIS functioning at its best.
Saving your Work
You will need to back up your media to your own external hard drive(s). Make multiple copies if you can. Be sure to save your projects regularly. Bath Spa University cannot be held responsible for loss of data. Data on the SAN will be managed and there will be deletions during a clear-down over the summer.
Stand-Alone Use
You are also welcome to use the edit suites ‘stand-alone’ with your own external hard drive. We strongly discourage using any machine without the NEXIS or an external hard drive of your own. With that in mind, please do not use the computer Desktop, Documents, Downloads or any other local folders to store your files. These are not ‘mobile’ or safe locations and will be deleted during unscheduled clear-downs.
General Rules & Guidelines
Avoid browsing the internet - download the files you need ahead of time
Do not attempt to install software or plug-ins on the machines
Avoid using illegal characters in folder or file names on NEXIS Workspaces. For example / ? < > \ : * | " and any character you can type with the Ctrl key
Health and Safety
NO FOOD or OPEN DRINKS CONTAINERS are allowed in any of the TV Studio spaces. This includes the edit suites, Pro Tools S6 audio suites, foley room, TV studios A, B and scene dock. Capped water bottles are acceptable but please take care around equipment
The edit suites are air conditioned so be sure to drink enough water during your session
Remember to take regular breaks away from the screen.
Do not disconnect any peripherals/screens or switch off plugs at the wall
Written by JS
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