NAS Server for Photographers & Filmmakers

Project Overview

FocusFrame Studios needed a reliable, scalable storage solution to handle terabytes of high-resolution photos and 4K/8K video footage. Their workflow required fast file transfers for multi-user editing, long-term backup, and easy remote access for off-site collaborators, without relying on slow or expensive cloud services.

The Challenge

The project required balancing high-speed performance for video editing with data redundancy and long-term reliability. Key challenges included configuring high-throughput networking, setting up permission-controlled access for team members, and ensuring backup automation across multiple workstations without interrupting active editing sessions.

Our Solution

We engineered a NAS server based on a Xeon-powered workstation with 8 hot-swappable drive bays, SSD caching for editing workloads, 10GbE networking for high-speed transfers, and RAID 6 for optimal redundancy. The system runs TrueNAS with integrated services for SMB/AFP sharing, automated Time Machine backups, and cloud sync for client deliverables. We deployed Nextcloud for remote previewing and secure file sharing, and integrated a LTO tape backup system for archival storage.

Results

The NAS server enabled seamless collaboration among editors, photographers, and retouchers, with immediate access to raw and edited files across the studio. Transfer speeds exceeded 800MB/s over 10GbE, drastically reducing project turnaround times. The studio now benefits from automated backups, centralized asset management, and a scalable storage platform ready for future growth.

Client Testimonial

"This system completely changed our workflow—we can edit directly from the NAS without lag, and our backups happen automatically. It's been a game-changer for our team."

— Ethan Moore, Founder & Creative Director, FocusFrame Studios