StorageDNA DNAfabric Data Management & AI Workflows
Bring visibility and control to unstructured data distributed across NAS, file systems, object storage, cloud platforms, remote locations and LTO archives.
StorageDNA DNAfabric is a distributed data-management platform that helps organisations understand what data they have, where it is stored and how it should be protected, moved, archived or prepared for AI enrichment.
DNAfabric works with compatible existing storage rather than requiring every file to be moved into another central repository. It provides a management layer for indexing, search, analysis, duplicate detection, migration, backup, archive, tiering and synchronisation across connected environments.
Gibb Technology designs and integrates StorageDNA DNAfabric solutions across the UK, Ireland and EMEA, working around existing infrastructure, security policies, data locations and operational requirements.
What Is StorageDNA DNAfabric?
DNAfabric is a cloud-optimised, distributed platform for managing unstructured data across on-premises, remote and cloud infrastructure.
It is not a replacement for an organisation’s NAS, object-storage platform, cloud provider or LTO library. DNAfabric connects supported environments and provides a consistent way to understand and manage the data held within them.
An organisation might have current projects on high-performance NAS, departmental files in different offices, historical content on LTO, backups in object storage and additional data distributed across AWS, Microsoft Azure or other cloud services.
Without a central management layer, each platform can become a separate data silo.
DNAfabric creates visibility across those connected systems and allows approved data-management workflows to be applied without immediately redesigning the entire storage estate.
When Should an Organisation Consider DNAfabric?
DNAfabric becomes relevant when the complexity of managing data has grown beyond individual storage interfaces, folder structures and manual processes.
An organisation may know the total capacity of its storage systems, but not how that storage is being used—how much data is frequently accessed, duplicated, ageing or could be moved to a lower-cost storage tier.
It may be difficult to answer basic questions:
Where is a particular dataset stored?
How many copies exist?
Which files have not been accessed for several years?
What data should be retained on primary storage?
What should be moved to object storage, cloud or LTO?
Can archived content be found without restoring everything?
Which existing data could support an AI initiative?
DNAfabric provides tools for answering these questions before the organisation purchases more storage, begins a migration or commits data to a new cloud platform.
How the DNAfabric Architecture Works
DNAfabric uses a central controller with distributed data manager nodes.
This allows management and metadata services to remain centralised while data-intensive operations take place close to the connected storage.
The DNAfabric Controller
The controller provides the central interface for job management, metadata, search and analytics.
It communicates with the deployed data managers and provides authorised users with a consistent view of activity across the connected environment.
The controller can be hosted within an appropriate physical, virtual or cloud-based architecture.
Connecting Data Across Multiple Storage Environments
DNAfabric Data Managers connect the platform to an organisation’s different data sources and storage environments. As shown in the diagram, these can include NAS and file systems, cloud and object storage, LTO and other archive platforms, and existing MAM or DAM systems.
Each Data Manager can be configured to index, analyse, synchronise, move, back up, archive or tier data according to the required workflow. They can be deployed at a central facility, remote office, field location or within a compatible cloud environment.
As the organisation’s data estate expands, additional Data Managers can be introduced to support new storage locations and workflows. This creates a scalable way to manage data across multiple providers and sites without replacing the organisation’s existing storage infrastructure.
Index, Search and Analyse Distributed Data
The first stage of a data-management project should normally be understanding what already exists.
DNAfabric can index compatible file systems and object stores while the source data remains in its current location. The resulting metadata can provide a searchable view across otherwise disconnected storage.
Files and objects can be analysed using available information such as location, type, size, age and modification date.
This can help an organisation identify dormant data, understand capacity consumption and determine which storage systems are carrying the greatest volume or fastest rate of growth.
Find Data Across Different Locations
Authorised users can browse and search indexed data without having to log into a separate interface for every storage platform.
This is particularly useful when information has accumulated across several NAS systems, offices, cloud providers or archive environments.
Identify Duplicate Files
DNAfabric can use supported hashing and analysis workflows to identify duplicate files across connected file systems and object storage.
The results can help organisations understand how much capacity is being consumed by unnecessary copies before an approved remediation policy is developed.
Duplicate analysis should inform a controlled decision. Files should not be removed without confirming application dependencies, retention obligations and the organisation’s data-governance requirements.
Model Storage and Cloud Costs
The cheapest advertised storage price does not always create the lowest total cost.
Cloud expenditure may also be affected by retrieval activity, egress, API operations, minimum retention periods and the percentage of data accessed each month.
DNAfabric can support cost modelling across suitable storage providers and tiers, helping organisations make more informed decisions before moving large datasets.
Migrate and Synchronise Data
Storage migrations can become difficult when data is changing, permissions must be preserved and several locations or platforms are involved.
DNAfabric can manage approved movement between supported file systems, object stores and cloud environments.
A migration can be designed around factors including available bandwidth, transfer windows, checksums, permissions, file changes, target capacity and the applications that depend on the source data.
DNAfabric can also support synchronisation between compatible storage environments. This can help organisations coordinate selected data across offices, cloud platforms and remote facilities without relying on uncontrolled manual copies.
The required workflow should be tested with representative data before a wider migration or synchronisation policy is introduced.
Backup and Disaster-Recovery Workflows
DNAfabric can form part of a wider data-protection architecture by creating and managing protected copies across compatible storage targets.
For example, selected data could be copied from primary NAS to secondary storage, object storage or an off-site cloud environment.
The correct design depends on the organisation’s required recovery point, recovery time, immutability, geographic separation, retention policy and available connectivity.
DNAfabric does not remove the need for an approved business-continuity and disaster-recovery strategy. It provides tools that can be used to implement and automate suitable data-protection workflows.
Archive and Tier Data to More Appropriate Storage
Primary storage is normally selected for performance and availability. It is not always the most economical place to retain completed projects and inactive data indefinitely.
DNAfabric can support archive and tiering workflows between compatible disk, NAS, object, cloud and LTO environments.
Active data can remain on high-performance storage while completed or infrequently used content moves to a more appropriate tier.
Metadata and search information can remain available, helping users determine what has been archived and request a restore when the original data is required.
This can delay unnecessary primary-storage expansion while maintaining an organised route back to retained information.
Manage LTO Alongside Disk, Object and Cloud
DNAfabric brings LTO into the wider data-management environment instead of treating tape as an isolated archive.
Supported configurations can create open LTFS-format tapes and manage LTO alongside file systems, NAS, object storage and cloud platforms.
Published support includes LTO-5, LTO-6, LTO-7, LTO-8 and LTO-9. The practical architecture depends on the tape library, drive generation, media estate, performance requirements and expected retention period.
Organisations with older tape archives should also consider future LTO migration. Drive compatibility between generations is limited, so long-term retention requires a planned approach rather than assuming every tape will remain readable indefinitely.
Existing DNAevolution customers can discuss an appropriate migration path to current DNAfabric workflows.
Supported Storage Environments
DNAfabric provides connectors for multiple types of data source and destination.
These include supported NFS and SMB file systems, enterprise NAS and SAN platforms, public and private object storage, cloud services, LTO archives and selected MAM or DAM environments.
Compatible platforms can include environments from AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Wasabi, Backblaze, Seagate LyveCloud, Avid, Quantum, NetApp, Qumulo, LucidLink, SNS, EditShare and other providers.
Support can vary according to the required operation. A platform available for indexing may have different workflow capabilities from one being used as a migration, backup or archive target.
GT validates the required source, destination, connector, software version and workflow before the architecture is confirmed.
An Interface Designed Around the User
Data-management tools have traditionally been designed primarily for specialist storage administrators.
StorageDNA developed the DNAfabric interface to make complex workflows easier for authorised end users to understand and operate.
The web interface provides a visual environment for selecting sources and destinations, creating jobs and monitoring progress across connected locations.
An intuitive interface does not remove the need for correct architecture, permissions and governance. It makes approved workflows more accessible once the system has been designed and configured.
See the DNAfabric Interface in Action
This StorageDNA demonstration introduces the DNAfabric interface and shows how users can build and manage data workflows between connected storage environments.
A more focused demonstration can be arranged around an organisation’s existing NAS, cloud, object or LTO environment.
Connect Existing Data With AI Services
Artificial intelligence can only generate useful results when the underlying data can be located, accessed and prepared correctly.
DNAfabric AI Link creates a managed connection between existing storage environments and selected AI services.
Rather than sending every high-resolution source file to an AI provider, DNAfabric can create task-appropriate representations such as video proxies, audio files, thumbnails, frames or sprite sheets.
These smaller files can be submitted to an approved AI service. The resulting enrichment can then be returned to DNAfabric and associated with the original asset.
Depending on the chosen provider and workflow, enrichment may include transcription, translation, summarisation, scene analysis, object recognition and semantic metadata.
This can make content discoverable using its actual subject matter rather than relying entirely on filenames and manually entered tags.
DNAfabric acts as the data and metadata-management layer. It does not require the organisation to commit every use case to one AI model.
Different providers can be evaluated against capability, security, data residency, governance and cost.
An Example DNAfabric Workflow
Consider an organisation with NAS systems in several offices, completed projects on LTO and additional data in object storage.
A DNAfabric data manager can be deployed close to each approved environment, with the controller providing central management and metadata services.
The existing storage is indexed before any large-scale movement begins. The organisation can then analyse capacity, identify duplicate or ageing files and determine which datasets require further attention.
Active data remains on primary storage. Completed material can move to an approved object or LTO tier. Selected content can be prepared for AI enrichment, while relevant metadata remains searchable through the management layer.
When archived data is required again, authorised users can identify the required files and initiate a controlled restore.
The result is not one enormous new storage system. It is a more manageable architecture around the platforms the organisation already owns.
DNAfabric Platform Options and Licensing
StorageDNA’s published licensing model is based on data manager nodes, while the central controller licence is provided without an additional licence charge.
Different node options can support local nearline, cloud, object and larger enterprise workflows.
The correct model depends on the number of storage locations, required connectors, type of data movement, expected concurrent jobs, cloud or object requirements and the volume of data being managed.
Commercial terms, editions and workflow limits should be confirmed as part of the current StorageDNA design and quotation process.
StorageDNA DNAfabric Designed and Integrated by GT
A successful DNAfabric deployment begins with understanding the data, not selecting a licence.
Gibb Technology can assess the current storage estate, data locations, applications, available connectivity, retention requirements and intended workflows.
GT can then develop the architecture, specify the controller and data manager requirements, validate supported connectors and coordinate implementation with StorageDNA and the organisation’s internal technical teams.
The engagement can include workflow design, migration planning, configuration, commissioning, user guidance and ongoing support.
Solutions can be designed and delivered across the UK, Ireland and EMEA.
Explore GT’s wider media storage and data-management workflows for environments combining production storage, MAM, archive, cloud and AI.
DNAfabric and Media-Production Storage
DNAfabric manages data across storage and archive environments. It does not replace the high-performance shared storage required for active collaborative editing.
Where an organisation also produces professional video, DNAfabric can complement a platform such as SNS EVO. EVO provides the active production workspace, while DNAfabric manages data across additional storage, cloud and archive tiers.
For the broader relationship between production storage, MAM, archive and AI discovery, visit GT’s Media Storage, MAM & AI Workflows guide.
StorageDNA DNAfabric FAQs
What does StorageDNA DNAfabric do?
DNAfabric connects supported storage environments and provides services including indexing, search, analysis, duplicate detection, migration, backup, archive, tiering and synchronisation.
Is DNAfabric a NAS or storage system?
No. DNAfabric is a distributed data-management platform. It works with supported NAS, file systems, object stores, cloud platforms and archives rather than replacing all existing storage.
Must every file be moved into DNAfabric?
No. DNAfabric can index and analyse supported storage while the original files remain in their existing locations. Data is moved only when an approved workflow requires it.
Can DNAfabric manage multiple sites?
Yes. Data managers can be deployed across suitable on-premises, remote and cloud environments, with the controller providing central job, metadata and analytics management.
Can DNAfabric manage LTO archives?
Yes. DNAfabric supports LTFS-based LTO workflows alongside disk, NAS, object and cloud storage. The library, drives, tape generations and migration requirements must be validated during design.
How does DNAfabric use AI?
DNAfabric AI Link prepares selected data for approved AI services and associates the returned enrichment with the original assets. The exact capabilities depend on the selected AI provider and workflow.
Is DNAfabric tied to one cloud or AI provider?
No. DNAfabric is designed to connect multiple supported storage and service providers. Compatibility and available operations should be confirmed for each proposed integration.
Can DNAfabric help before a cloud migration?
Yes. Indexing, analysis, duplicate identification and cost modelling can help an organisation understand what should move, where it should be stored and what the migration may cost.
Does DNAfabric replace an existing backup strategy?
Not by itself. DNAfabric can implement backup and disaster-recovery workflows, but these should form part of a wider protection strategy based on the organisation’s recovery, retention and governance requirements.
How is DNAfabric licensed?
The published model licenses DNAfabric through data manager nodes, with the central controller licence provided free. The required nodes and commercial terms depend on the proposed architecture.
Can GT integrate DNAfabric with our existing storage?
Yes. GT can assess compatible storage, develop the architecture, validate connectors and coordinate configuration, migration, commissioning and support across the UK, Ireland and EMEA.
Take Control of Distributed Data
If data is spread across NAS systems, cloud platforms, object storage, remote locations or LTO archives, GT can help determine whether DNAfabric is appropriate.
We can review the current environment, identify the most valuable first workflow and develop a StorageDNA architecture around the organisation’s operational, security and long-term data requirements.
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