Apple has given us 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10GbE) in the new iMac Pro!
The new iMac Pro is a beautifully designed workstation that packs some serious power. It handles monstrous codecs like 8K ProRes 4444 and 5K RED RAW as if they are mere proxies. And, if you’re willing to shell out the cash for the fully loaded version (which will set you back about $13,000) it can handle just about anything you want to throw at it.
But overall, our favorite thing about the new iMac Pro is the fact that you can connect to shared storage over 10Gb Ethernet with much less hassle. You won’t have to shop for another adapter, and that means one less Thunderbolt chassis on your desk, and one less wire hanging out of a Thunderbolt port.
How it feels to use 10GigE on an #iMacPro without an adapter #PostChat pic.twitter.com/DE77jvI4gY
— Studio Network Solutions (@snstweets) December 14, 2017
What’s so great about 10Gigabit Ethernet?
10GbE has become the standard for high-performance media workflows sharing over NAS storage systems. It’s affordable, easy to deploy, and offers huge advantages over traditional Gigabit Ethernet. 10GbE makes it possible for small-medium sized facilities to edit 4K ProRes in real-time from multiple workstations, and it costs a fraction of what it would have cost years ago when Fibre Channel-based SANs were the only way to achieve a high-performance shared workflow.
Of course, like all things in technology, the world moves quickly, and, while 10GbE is perfect for many requirements, 25, 40, 50, and 100Gb Ethernet is already being adopted by facilities looking for the most cutting-edge performance possible… (We’ve even introduced an SSD-based EVO system designed for DPX and EXR that includes 25Gb Ethernet right out of the box.)
It’s easier than ever to set up a shared workflow for macOS
It might not seem that important if you’re already using Thunderbolt-connected direct-attached storage. But if you want to work in a centralized shared environment this is huge. Setting up a shared workflow with your macOS workstations will be easier, tidier, and more affordable without Thunderbolt to 10GbE adapters.
We’ve installed a ton of 10Gb based systems in post-production facilities around the world, and many of them go into all-Mac environments. Until now, sharing media and projects with Mac workstations meant that each editor needed to connect to storage with Thunderbolt to 10GbE adapters. And each one of these adapters cost over $500 on average—just for 10GbE connectivity on a Mac…
Well, if you’re getting your hands on the new iMac Pro you don’t have to worry about any of that.
A team of 5 editors can save over $2,000 on adapters just by connecting their shiny new iMac Pros directly to EVO shared storage.
Here’s how it works:
Connecting 5 iMac workstations over 10GbE to Shared Storage. Before and After.
Before
After
Simple, right?
This extremely simple setup enables editors to share projects and media across multiple iMac Pros without any additional hardware. Each editor, whether they are on FCP X, Premiere, Avid, or Resolve, can access the same media and edit as if they were working on local storage. It creates a massive boost in collaboration and efficiency in any workgroup.
Save on cost and complexity
Another benefit of having workstations connected directly to shared storage is that it eliminates the need for a network switch, which can add unwanted cost and complexity to a workgroup where the focus should be on creating, not dealing with I.T. stuff. EVO can even support up to 12 workstations over 10Gb Ethernet. So as new workstations are added you can continue to attach 10GbE-based systems right into the back of your EVO storage.
Having 10Gb Ethernet available in the new iMac Pro makes setting up an EVO shared storage workgroup easier than ever. Plus it helps you save money by eliminating the need for other equipment—and let’s face it, if you’re buying the new iMac Pro, you’re going to need to save money somewhere.
Update:
Looking for even more connectivity on your macOS hardware? Apple just announced that they are releasing new Mac Pro workstations with a ton of expandability for even the most demanding workflows. Learn all about here.