Avid Technology NEXIS Operating manual

Avid NEXIS® Setup and Maintenance Guide
Version 2023.7.0

2
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Copyright (c) 1991 by AT&T.

3
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Trademarks
Avid, the Avid Logo, Avid Everywhere, Avid DNXHD, Avid DNXHR, Avid NEXIS, Avid NEXIS | Cloudspaces, AirSpeed, Eleven, EUCON, Interplay, iNEWS, ISIS, Mbox,
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STATES. THE ABOVE EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU. THIS WARRANTY PROVIDES YOU WITH SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS. THERE MAY BE OTHER RIGHTS THAT
YOU MAY HAVE WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE.
Avid NEXIS Setup and Maintenance Guide • Revised July 2023 • This document is distributed by Avid in online (electronic) form only, and is not available for
purchase in printed form.
Revision History
Date Version Description of Changes
July 2023 2023.7.0 Updated for Modular Licensing
May 2023 2023.3.0 Clarified that Avid NEXIS | F5 and Avid NEXIS | F5 NL ship with two (2) spare media drives
March 2023 2023.3.0 Introduced Avid NEXIS | F2 SSD Engine; added new “ECO” Power Supply Units
December 2022 2022.12.0 Updated redemption/registration process

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Date Version Description of Changes
September 2022 2022.9.0 Clarified Controller descriptions
July 2022 2022.5.0 Introduced Avid NEXIS | F Series
August 2021 All Corrected Media Pack drive sizes
March 2021 2021.3.0 Updated system drive capacities
July 2020 2020.5.0 Added Avid NEXIS | FS description, cautions when adding Engines to an existing system . Some document
restructuring.
May 2020 2020.5.0 Avid NEXIS | All-Mirror support
April 2020 2020.3.0 USM version 1.37 or 1.37a factory installed on G2 labeled Controllers
March 2020 2020.3.0 Updated specs for Avid NEXIS E5 chassis and change to default Agent password
12/19/2019 (Update) Strengthened caution to lock all E5 drives
10/29/2019 2019.10.0 Added new Controller types (USM 1.37 and 32GB memory)
06/30/2019 2019.6.0 Additional drive size support for Avid NEXIS E2 | SSD

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Contents
Using This Guide 8
Symbols and Conventions 8
If You Need Help 9
Accessing the Online Documentation 9
Avid Training Services 9
1 Avid NEXIS System Overview 10
System Director Functionality 10
Avid NEXIS Models 11
Front Views 19
Rear Views 21
Media Pack and System Drives 23
Drive Labels 24
Drive Types and Sizes 24
Default Location of System Drives 25
Chassis Drive Numbering 26
Power Supplies and Fans 27
ECO Power Supply Units 28
2 Connecting the Equipment 33
Rack Mounting Guidelines and Requirements 33
Rack-Mounting the Equipment 33
Installing Media Packs in 2U and 4U Engines 36
Installing Media Packs in 5U Chassis 37
Connecting the Equipment to Power 38
3 Installing the Software and Setting up the Avid NEXIS System 40
System Setup Information 40
Understanding the Shared Name Space 41
Understanding System Licenses 43
Registering the System and Downloading the Avid NEXIS Software 43
Configuring the Computer’s IP Address 44
Installing the Software 47

6
Configuring the Engine, PRO+, or SDA+ 48
Connecting the Equipment to a Switch 52
Dual LACP Connections 53
4 Adding and Replacing Hardware 56
Collecting Logs for Customer Care 56
Understanding Hardware Faults 56
Adding an Engine to a System 57
Adding an Avid NEXIS | F2X (Expansion Chassis) to a System 58
Adding Media Packs to an Engine 58
About Drive Failures 60
Identifying the Slot Number for a Failing or Failed Drive 60
Replacing a Drive 61
Adding a Redundant Controller 63
About Controller Failures 64
Replacing a Controller 65
Replacing an I/O Module 66
Power Supply Failures 66
Replacing a Power Supply (2U and 4U) 66
Replacing a Power Supply (5U) 67
Replacing a Fan Module (5U only) 68
Removing or Replacing a Chassis 68
5 Specifications and Notices 70
Electrical Requirements 70
Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) 70
Physical Specifications 70
Electrical and Power 71
Altitude and Temperature 72
Shock and Vibration 73
Acoustics 74
Approvals 74
6 Safety and Regulatory Information 76

7
Symbols 76
Product Safety Warning 76
Important Safety Instructions 76
Rack-Mount Safety Instructions 77
LED Safety Notices 78
Environmental Compliance 78

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Using This Guide
The Avid NEXIS®software-defined storage system provides a high-performance distributed file system that
contains high-capacity shared media storage for workgroups of connected devices. This user’s guide
describes how to connect your client system to the storage system, mount Workspaces, and configure your
system for best performance.
Unless noted otherwise, the material in this document applies to the Windows®, MacOS®X, and Linux
operating systems. The majority of screen shots in this document were captured on a Windows system, but
the information applies to all operating systems. Where differences exist, information on the differences is
provided.
The documentation describes the features and hardware of all models. Your system might not contain
certain features and hardware that are covered in this guide.
Symbols and Conventions
Avid documentation uses the following symbols and conventions:
Symbol or
Convention
Meaning or Action
nA note provides important related information, reminders, recommendations, and strong
suggestions.
cA caution means that a specific action you take could cause harm to your computer or
cause you to lose data.
wA warning describes an action that could cause you physical harm. Follow the guidelines
in this document or on the unit itself when handling electrical equipment.
gA user tip provides a helpful hint that can aid users in getting the most from their system.
bA shortcut shows the user keyboard or mouse shortcuts for a procedure or command.
>This symbol indicates menu commands (and subcommands) in the order you select
them. For example, File> Import means to open the File menu and then select the Import
command.
tThis symbol indicates a single-step procedure. Multiple arrows in a list indicate that you
perform one of the actions listed.
(Windows),
(Windows only),
(macOS), or (macOS
only)
This text indicates that the information applies only to the specified operating system,
either Windows or macOS.
Bold font Bold font is primarily used in task instructions to identify user interface items and
keyboard sequences.
Italic font Italic font is used to emphasize certain words and to indicate variables.
Courier Bold font Courier Bold font identifies text that you type.
Ctrl+key or mouse
action
Press and hold the first key while you press the last key or perform the mouse action. For
example, Command+Option+C or Ctrl+drag.
| The pipe character is used in some Avid product names, such as MediaCentral |
Production Management. In this document, the pipe is used in product names when they
are in headings or at their first use in text.

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If You Need Help
If you are having trouble using your Avid product:
1. Retry the action, carefully following the instructions given for that task in this guide. It is especially
important to check each step of your workflow.
2. Check the latest information that might have become available after the documentation was
published.
New information is available in the ReadMe PDF document, available online.
3. Always check online for the most up-to-date release notes or ReadMe because the online version is
updated whenever new information becomes available. To view the online versions, visit the
Knowledge Base at www.avid.com/US/support.
4. Check the documentation that came with your Avid application or your hardware for maintenance or
hardware-related issues.
5. Visit the online Knowledge Base at www.avid.com/US/support. Online services are available 24 hours
per day, 7 days per week. Search this online Knowledge Base to find answers, to view error messages,
to access troubleshooting tips, to download updates, and to read or join online message-board
discussions.
Accessing the Online Documentation
The Avid online documentation contains all the product documentation in PDF format and Help files where
relevant. You can access the documentation on the Knowledge Base page for your release. Download and
install Acrobat Reader before you access the PDF documentation.
Avid Training Services
Avid makes lifelong learning, career advancement, and personal development easy and convenient. Avid
understands that the knowledge you need to differentiate yourself is always changing, and Avid continually
updates course content and offers new training delivery methods that accommodate your pressured and
competitive work environment.
For information on courses/schedules, training centers, certifications, courseware, and books, please visit
Avid Support and follow the Training links, or call Avid Sales at 800-949-AVID (800-949-2843).
Using This Guide

10
1 Avid NEXIS System Overview
Avid NEXIS is a shared-storage solution for acquisition-, creative-, distribution-, and archive media
workflows. Avid network storage systems are built for media and entertainment. They enable multiple
clients to share, capture, play, and edit video and audio media.
An Avid NEXIS system consists of:
lOne or more Engines (a chassis that contains Media Packs and one or two Controllers)
lOptionally, one or more Expansion Chassis (a chassis that contains a Media Pack and two I/O
modules, but no Controllers)
lDepending on the configuration, a System Director Appliance (a chassis that contains no drives for
media storage, but has one or two Controllers and manages the entire configuration)
The System Director is a process that runs on one Controller, in either an Engine or PRO+, or the System
Director Appliance, depending on your configuration, and provides the management functionality for the
entire configuration through the Management Console, an HTML-5 user interface. For more information,
see "System Director Functionality" below.
The Avid NEXIS Engines, Expansion Chassis, and the System Director Appliance are rack-mountable units
housing the other system components (Media Packs, Controllers, and power supplies). If a component fails,
the Avid NEXIS shared-storage system is designed to remain operational while you replace it.
Data passes between the Engine and clients through a switch connected to the Engines (and System
Director Appliance if applicable) with one or more Ethernet connections. These connections provide clients
access to the data on the media drives.
Avid NEXIS uses a proprietary file system, which is scalable to support every media production team from
individuals to the largest broadcast enterprises. As your storage needs grow, you can add to your
configuration in the same file system, seamlessly combining all the storage into one centrally-managed
system.
This chapter provides an overview of the Avid NEXIS system and the basic function of each component.
Other chapters in this guide describe how to install the system in a rack, connect the power, Ethernet, and
SAS cables as applicable, and configure the system.
System Director Functionality
The System Director is a process or service that manages and maintains the Avid NEXIS file system.
In any Avid NEXIS configuration, there is only one System Director, which runs on one Controller, either in an
Engine (and is called an embedded System Director) or in a System Director Appliance (SDA), which is
sometimes called an external System Director.
The System Director Appliance (models Avid NEXIS | SDA and Avid NEXIS | SDA+) is a separate 2U chassis
with its own power supplies and system drives. It runs the System Director service for the whole
configuration and provides no media storage.
A System Director Appliance is required for any configuration that will use Media Mirroring (also called
Engine Protection; see the Avid NEXIS Administration Guide for more information), and also any
configuration that includes or consists of:
lMore than four Media Packs in the same shared-storage system (in any combination of 2U Engines,
Expansion chassis, and 4U Engines)
lAny 5U chassis

11
lAvid NEXIS All-Mirror Engines
nThe System Director Appliance cannot be used with Avid NEXIS | PRO 40TB or Avid NEXIS | PRO+
systems.
In a configuration with no System Director Appliance, the first Engine that you configure runs the System
Director for the entire system. Otherwise the System Director service runs on the System Director Appliance.
If the Engine or System Director Appliance has two Controllers, the System Director service can switch over
to run on the other Controller in case of a failure. However, the System Director service never moves to a
different Engine, or between an Engine and a System Director Appliance.
The System Director manages the metadata by storing directory information and file attributes, and
provides:
lA location to coordinate file access modes (read/write), file locking, range locking, performance data
collection, logging, file lookup, and directory change tracking for client systems.
lThe identity of all connected storage systems
lInformation about the drives, power, cooling and Controllers in the configuration
lNames of workspaces
lLists of users and groups within the system
Client data (media files) is stored on the Media Packs (drives) within one or more Engines (and Expansion
Chassis, if applicable). System Director metadata is mirrored on the system drives in the Engine or in the
System Director Appliance, wherever the System Director is running.
System Directors, workgroup servers, and clients must all be synchronized with a common time of day. For
information on setting the Network Time Protocol (NTP), see "Using NTP to Set System Time" on page42.
Avid NEXIS Models
The following table lists current and legacy models. Also see the Avid NEXIS ReadMe for system
configuration limits.
Model Type Rack
Units
Supports Dual
Controllers?
Media Packs (10 drives
each)
Avid NEXIS | PRO+ Engine 2U N 1
Avid NEXIS | SDA+ System Director
Appliance
2U Y N/A
Avid NEXIS | F2 Engine 2U Y 1
Avid NEXIS | F2X Expansion Chassis 2U N/A 1 plus 2 spare drives
(optional)
Avid NEXIS | F2
SSD
Engine 2U Y 2 plus 2 spare drives
(optional)
Avid NEXIS | F5 Engine 5U Y 4-8 plus two spare drives
(included)
Avid NEXIS | F5 NL Engine 5U Y 4-8 plus two spare drives
(included)
Legacy Models
Avid NEXIS | PRO
40TB
Engine 2U N 1
1 Avid NEXIS System Overview

12
Model Type Rack
Units
Supports Dual
Controllers?
Media Packs (10 drives
each)
Avid NEXIS | SDA System Director
Appliance
2U Y N/A
Avid NEXIS | E2 Engine 2U Y 1
Avid NEXIS | E2
All-Mirror
Engine 2U Y 1
Avid NEXIS | E2
SSD
Engine 2U N 1
Avid NEXIS | E4 Engine 4U Y1-2 plus two spare drives
(optional)
Avid NEXIS | E4
All-Mirror
Engine 4U Y 1-2 plus two spare drives
(optional)
Avid NEXIS | E5 Engine 5U Y 4-8 plus two spare drives
(optional)
Avid NEXIS | E5
All-Mirror
Engine 5U Y 4-8 plus two spare drives
(optional)
Avid NEXIS | E5 NL Engine 5U Y 4-8 plus two spare drives
(optional)
Notes:
lAn Avid NEXIS | F2X Expansion chassis must be paired with an Avid NEXIS | F2 Engine.
lIf supported, redundant Controllers must be the same type.
lFor Media Pack capacities, see "Media Pack and System Drives" on page23.
Controllers and I/O Modules
Depending on your Avid NEXIS model, the Engine or System Director Appliance supports one or two
Controllers, or two I/O modules for Avid NEXIS | F2X.
You can optionally order and install a redundant Controller for certain Avid NEXIS models. Redundant
Controllers are not factory installed.
In the 2U models that support redundant Controllers, the second Controller is installed upside-down in the
bottom slot. In the 2U models that support only one Controller, it is also installed upside-down in the bottom
slot.
cBoth Controllers in an Engine or a System Director Appliance must be the same type, with the same
label.
nIn Avid NEXIS versions prior to v2021.3.0, after the system completes its boot cycle, all LEDs on the
back of the Controller remain on. In Avid NEXIS version v2021.3.0 and later, after the boot cycle all
LEDs on the back of the Controller turn off.
Avid NEXIS F-Series Controller Features and Identification
The following table lists the Controllers that are supported in the F-Series models, including the PRO+ and
SDA+.
1 Avid NEXIS System Overview

13
Controller Label Interface Speed Used In
9900-74191-00
SBB-SI-128-S
2x10/25GbE Avid NEXIS | SDA+
9900-74189-00
SBB-BR-32-S
2x10/25GbE
1x10/25GbE
Avid NEXIS | F2
Avid NEXIS | PRO+
In the PRO+ the Controller is installed upside-down in
the bottom slot.
9900-74193-00
SBB-GO-128-10Gb
2x10GbE only Avid NEXIS | F5 NL
9900-74226-00
SBB-GO-128-U
2x100GbE Avid NEXIS | F2 SSD
In the SSD the Controller is installed upside-down in
the bottom slot.
9900-74192-00
SBB-GO-128-H
2x40/50GbE Avid NEXIS | F5
F-Series Controller Features and LEDs
Controller connectors and ports, and the LED colors and flash patterns are described in the following
figures and tables.
nFeatures that are not identified in the figures and tables are not used in the Avid NEXIS implementation.
Do not connect anything to unidentified ports.
1 Avid NEXIS System Overview

14
Feature Description
Management
Interface port
For connection to a laptop or other computer to install the Avid NEXIS software and initially
configure the system. Default IP address is 169.254.10.10.
Right side LEDs:
lSteady green: Link is active
lFlashing green: Network activity
lLeft side—Network speed LEDs:
lYellow: 1000Mb/s
lGreen: 100Mb/s
lOff: 10Mb/s
Controller
Interconnect port
For connecting redundant Controllers in the Engine. See "Adding a Redundant Controller"
on page63.
Power/OK, Fault,
and ID LEDs
Power/OK:
lSteady green when the Controller is operating correctly.
lFlashing green indicates a Controller error.
lFault: Amber when the Controller has a fault.
lID: Blue when the Controller is being identified.
POST (Power On
Self-Test) LEDs
Shows the boot progress of the Controller. If the Controller fails to boot, the LEDs show the
stage in which the error occurred.
SAS ports Used only in the Avid NEXIS | F2 to connect one or both Controllers to the SAS ports on the
I/O Modules in an Avid NEXIS | F2X. See "Rack-Mounting the Equipment" on page33 for how
to connect the cables.
Controller label Indicates the Controller type, which specifies in which Engine it can be used. See
"Controllers and I/O Modules" on page12 for more information.
Release Latch Disconnects the Controller from the backplane for removal from the Engine (see "About
Controller Failures" on page64).
Data ports Connects the Engine or System Director Appliance to a network switch (see "Connecting the
Equipment to a Switch" on page52).
[Avid NEXIS F-Series Controller Features]
1 Avid NEXIS System Overview

15
Feature Description
LED states:
lFlashes green for link/activity
lFlashes amber for fault
10/25GbE Controllers
nNot used in Avid NEXIS | F5 and Avid NEXIS | F2 SSD.
nIn Avid NEXIS | F5 NL, only the 10GbE connection is supported. The system will not run if
connected to a 25GbE switch.
lFor a single switch connection, use the primary port (closest to the 25/10Gb label). Be
aware of the Controller orientation in the Engine: the primary port is on the bottom
when installed right-side up, but on the top when installed upside-down.
lFor link aggregation (LACP, or NIC teaming) use both the primary and secondary
ports.
40/50GbE Controllers and 2x100GbE Controllers:
lFor a single switch connection, use the primary port (closest to the SAS ports). Be
aware of the Controller orientation in the Engine: the primary port is on the left when
installed right-side up, but on the right when installed upside-down.
lFor link aggregation (LACP, or NIC teaming) use both the primary and secondary
ports.
I/O Module Features and Functionality
The Avid NEXIS | F2X has two I/O modules that connect to an Avid NEXIS | F2. The I/O modules provide data
connection to the Controllers in an Avid NEXIS | F2, which manages both chassis. The I/O modules do not
support direct switch connections.
IOM Label Interface Speed Used In
9900-74187-00
IOM-F2X
NA Avid NEXIS | F2X
Feature Description
SAS ports A and B Connects the expansion chassis to one Controller in an Avid NEXIS | F2.
If the Avid NEXIS | F2 has only one Controller, connect the cables only to the top I/O
module in the Avid NEXIS | F2X.
Avid NEXIS F2X IO Module Features
1 Avid NEXIS System Overview

16
Feature Description
If the Avid NEXIS | F2 has redundant Controllers, connect the top Controller to the
top I/O module, and connect the bottom Controller to the bottom I/O module.
Do not connect one Controller to both I/O modules, and do not cross connect two
Controllers to both I/O modules.
SAS port C Not used.
Release Latch Disconnects the I/O module from the backplane for removal from the chassis (see
"Replacing an I/O Module" on page66).
Avid NEXIS E-Series Controllers and Identification
The following table lists the Controllers that are supported in the legacy E-Series models, including the PRO
and SDA.
Controller Label Notes Used In
Controller 10 2x10GbE
1x10GbE (PRO 40 TB)
Avid NEXIS | E2
Avid NEXIS | E2 All-Mirror
Avid NEXIS | PRO 40TB
(Controller is installed upside-
down in the bottom slot.)
Controller PRO 40 G2 1x10GbE
USM version 1.37/1.37a factory
installed
Avid NEXIS | PRO 40TB
(Controller is installed upside-
down in the bottom slot.)
Avid NEXIS PRO 40/E2,
Avid NEXIS PRO 40/E2 G2,
Controller E2 G2
2x10GbE
USM version 1.37/1.37a factory
installed
Avid NEXIS | E2
Avid NEXIS | E2 All-Mirror
Avid NEXIS | PRO 40TB
Avid NEXIS | E2 SSD Controller 2x40GbE Avid NEXIS | E2 SSD
(Controller is installed upside-
down in the bottom slot.)
Avid NEXIS | E2 SSDG2 2x40GbE
USM version 1.37/1.37a factory
installed
Avid NEXIS | E2 SSD
(Controller is installed upside-
down in the bottom slot.)
Controller 20/SDA 2x10GbE Avid NEXIS | E4
Avid NEXIS | E4 All-Mirror
Avid NEXIS | SDA
Avid NEXIS | E4 G2/SDA G2 2x10GbE
USM version 1.37/1.37a factory
installed
Avid NEXIS | E4
Avid NEXIS | E4 All-Mirror
Avid NEXIS | SDA
Controller 80 2x40GbE Avid NEXIS | E5
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17
Controller Label Notes Used In
Avid NEXIS | E5 All-Mirror
Avid NEXIS | E5 G2 2x40GbE
USM version 1.37/1.37a factory
installed
Avid NEXIS | E5
Avid NEXIS | E5 All-Mirror
Controller E5 NL 2x10GbE Avid NEXIS | E5 NL
Avid NEXIS | E5 NL G2 2x10GbE
USM version 1.37/1.37a factory
installed
Avid NEXIS | E5 NL
E-Series Controller Features and LEDs
The only visible difference between the Controllers is the identification label text.
Feature Description
Management Interface
port, Interconnect
Interface port
The Management Interface port is used ONLY to connect to a laptop or other
computer to install the software and initially configure the system.
cDo not use the Management Interface port after initial configuration. It is not
intended for system I/O.
Default IP address is 169.254.10.10.
The port has the following LEDs.
Right side:
lSteady green: Link is active
lFlashing green: Network activity
Left side—Network speed:
lYellow: 1000Mb/s
lGreen: 100Mb/s
E-Series Controller Features
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18
Feature Description
lOff: 10Mb/s
The Interconnect Interface port is used to connect two Controllers. See "Adding a
Redundant Controller" on page63.
Power/OK, Fault, and ID
LEDs
Power/OK: Green when the Controller is operating correctly. Flashing green
indicates a Controller error.
Fault: Amber when the Controller has a fault.
ID: Blue when the Controller is being identified.
POST LEDs Shows the boot progress of the Controller. If the Controller fails to boot, the LEDs
show the stage in which the error occurred.
Controller identification
label
Indicates the Controller type, which specifies in which Engine it can be used. See
"Controllers and I/O Modules" on page12 for more information.
Controller Release Latch Disconnects the Controller from the backplane for removal from the Engine (see
"About Controller Failures" on page64).
Data Interface ports (SFP+) Connects the Engine or System Director Appliance to a network switch (see
"Connecting the Equipment to a Switch" on page52).
The Avid NEXIS | E5 NLcomes with QSFP to SFP+ adapters for these ports and
supports connection only to a 10GbE switch.
For a single-port connection to a switch, use the left port (gx0). If using link
aggregation (NIC teaming), connect both ports (gx0 and gx1) to one or more
switches.
LED states: Flashes green for link/activity, amber for fault.
Controller Functionality and Restrictions
The Controller provides the software management functionality, in some cases including the System
Director (in Engines with an embedded System Director and on the System Director Appliance).
The Controller is turned on when the power supplies are on.
Controller (Agent) Password
Each Controller runs its own Agent. Effective with Controllers manufactured after April 1, 2020, the default
Agent password for a Controller is the last eight characters of the serial number, which is printed on a label
on the top of the Controller housing. For example, a Controller with serial number RMS1013034G085N has a
default Agent password of 034G085N. To see the serial number, you must partially remove the Controller
from the Engine. See "Replacing a Controller" on page65 for how to remove a Controller.
The serial number-based default password replaces the previous default Agent password of se-admin. Use
the new default Agent password when con figuring a new Engine (see "Installing the Software and Setting
up the Avid NEXIS System" on page40).
Single vs Dual Controllers
Some Avid NEXIS models support only one Controller, and others support two, for high availability.
gIf two Controllers are present, they are both active, and divide the system services between them
(unless one fails). There is no concept of an Active and Standby Controller.
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19
If one Controller fails, the System Director service (and other services) can switch over to the other one while
the system keeps running. However, switchover does not occur if the network connection to a Controller
fails. Switchover occurs only between Controllers in the same physical chassis, never between Controllers in
different chassis.
16GB vs 32GB Memory Controllers
As of Avid NEXIS version 2019.10.0, Controllers with 16GB of memory (see "Controllers and I/O Modules" on
page12) in Avid NEXIS | E2 or Avid NEXIS | E2 SSD engines no longer support new activations of Avid NEXIS |
Cloudspaces if they are also serving as the System Director for a shared-storage system. Avid NEXIS | E2
and Avid NEXIS | E2 SSD Controllers with 16GB of memory can be used in the storage-only Engines in a
Cloudspaces configuration.
If you have an embedded System Director running on an Avid NEXIS | E2 or Avid NEXIS | E2 SSD and
Cloudspaces is already activated, after you upgrade to Avid NEXIS version 2019.10.0 or higher a warning
message is displayed in the Management Console advising you to upgrade the 16GB Controllers to a 32GB
version (available as a fee-based upgrade) in the Engine running the System Director. You can continue to
create and manage Cloudspaces (Workspaces) in an existing Cloudspaces configuration.
Front Views
Every Avid NEXIS model has a control panel on the front, with LEDs that indicate its status. In the 2U and 4U
models, the drives are accessible from the front, behind a removable bezel.
2U and 4U Control Panel
The following figure shows the control panel on the left side of the chassis on all 2U and 4U models,
including the PRO/PRO+ and System Director Appliances.
Feature or LED Color and Status
System Power Green — system is on (operational)
Amber — system is in standby mode (not operational)
Module Fault Amber — system hardware fault (another LED on the faulty component may also be lit)
Logical Fault Amber — something other than the enclosure management system (usually a drive) fails
Unit ID Display Enclosure identification number (optional; useful with multiple-enclosure systems)
2U and 4U Engines: Common Control Panel (Including Expansion Chassis)
5U Chassis Status and Control Panels
The 5U Engine has a bezel that does not need to be removed to access any components. The control panels
and status panels on the front are visible with the bezel in place.
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5U Sideplane and Drive Drawer Status Panel (Four Panels)
The sideplane and drive drawer status panels indicate the health of the drives, and show drive activity.
Feature or LED Color and Status
Sideplane/Power OK Green — Sideplane card is on and operational
Sideplane Fault Amber — Drive has failed
Logical Fault Flashing amber — Failed drive in one or more RAID sets
Cable Fault Amber — Cable failure between the drawer and the back of the enclosure
Activity Bar Graph Shows the amount of data I/O from zero segments lit (no I/O) to all six segments lit
(maximum I/O)
5U Engines: Common Sideplane and Drive Status Panels
5U Engine Status and Control Panel
The Engine Status panel displays the overall health of the system and indicates the location of a failed
component.
1 Avid NEXIS System Overview