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Network speed when connecting a remote studio via VPN

Posted: 01 Sep 2017 10:56
by RadioMaxDK
Hi.
We need to connect a 2nd studio via VPN. And I'm glad PF doesn't use MySQL - it's so slow via VPN.
But moving .wav files via VPN can also take some time, and I'm afraid there will be some delay when opening PF OA on the remote location.

Right now we're not using MLS, but I guess that hasn't anything to do with speeds? We use UNC paths and it works ok in the main office, but the LAN can sometimes slow down when opening a .wav file

Any suggestions are welcome :-)

Re: Network speed when connecting a remote studio via VPN

Posted: 01 Sep 2017 12:09
by radio42
For sure you should set a high "Lookahead Cache" size, see general settings, section 'General/Audio' - Decoding settings.
A look ahead file cache enables a buffered file read cache, which does effect any latency, but reduces the I/O load requirements, e.g. when using slower hard disk or network attached storage devices. Specify the total cache buffer size to use for file read access.

In general I guess it should be as fast as you can get it.
But I guess it is worth testing your VPN connection and if you experience any playout glitches.
I personally have never tried playing a track accessed remotely via a VPN connection.

As an alternative you might need to copy your audio collection over to the 2nd location.
You then might still use a central Media Library Server and enable the 'Alternative Location Mapping...' (see general setting, section 'Folders/Libraries').

Re: Network speed when connecting a remote studio via VPN

Posted: 01 Sep 2017 12:20
by RadioMaxDK
Alternative Location Mapping in MLS, does that mean that if a file is changed in the alternate location, then the change is synced back to the main location?
That would be awesome.
I guess we could also convert our library from .wav to .flac to speed up things

Re: Network speed when connecting a remote studio via VPN

Posted: 01 Sep 2017 12:59
by radio42
No, the 'Alternative Location Mapping' are performed locally on the 'client' side (in ProppFrexx ONAIR).

When the MLS sends a (UNC)path, which might not exist on the client, then the alternative location(s) are tried.
E.g.
MLS sends: "\\server1\music\somefolder\track1.wav"
This might be mapped to : "C:\My Music\somefolder\track1.wav"
When you have defined this mapping: "\\server1\music" -> "C:\My Music"

Re: Network speed when connecting a remote studio via VPN

Posted: 01 Sep 2017 14:43
by RadioMaxDK
Thanks for the explanation.