Q: Really Basic Question re: Setup of a new system

Hi,

I am looking for help setting up a new system. I did search and I can't find the answer and so thank you in advance for your help.

Here's what I'm hoping to do:
5 editing stations running final cut pro.
Some sort of drive/system with all the footage on it.
A backup of said footage.

I know I can just simply buy four external drives and hook them up to each system. But I've been requested NOT to take this approach by the folks in charge. I am somewhat technical but have no experience building something like this.

I know that 5 computers hooked up to one harddrive would first of all be silly, and would kill the hard drive due to the RPM's that would be required, so I would like advice?

Would a Raid drive attached to four computers be enough (and what level of raid- obviously not 1 or 0)?

Would I build an x-serve with X-san and Final Cut Server? I'm just not sure what I need. I may not understand the technology now, but I can learn and follow instructions/advice, etc.

What kind of computers would we need? Is there an option to have the 5 computers be laptops? (Unlikely I would think since they took away that Expresscard slot)?

I just want to make sure I report back what can and cannot be done. I know that the computers they have now are laptops for editing and I think they hope to use them going forward.

Thanks

Rick

Message was edited by: MacDude22