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Xsan 2 is a powerful and scalable solution for storage consolidation, enabling businesses to reduce data
duplication and more efficiently use and share data in demanding IT data centers, video post-production,
and broadcast workflows.
High-availability design.
Access your mission-critical data even in the event of a system or Fibre Channel network failure. Xsan 2
includes high-availability features such as metadata controller failover and Fibre Channel multipathing. It
can also send automatic event notifications via email or pager.
Easy deployment.
With Xsan 2, it’s easy to configure a storage network to meet the needs of your organization. Xsan
features sophisticated volume management tools for storage optimization and lets you define file access
permissions, assign quotas, and easily integrate with existing enterprise LDAP directory services.
Seamless integration.
Built to work with existing infrastructures, Xsan 2 is compatible with leading Fibre Channel switches and
qualified RAID storage arrays. Xsan is designed to work with Mac OS X Server for file sharing, iCal Server
clustering, Mail Server clustering, and Podcast Producer. It also supports most native Mac OS X
applications including Final Cut Studio and Final Cut Server.
1) SAN volume: Xsan allows you to consolidate data into a single storage volume that’s accessible to all systems on the storage area network (SAN). Adding capacity is as easy as attaching more RAID storage systems to your Fibre Channel network.
2) Fibre Channel network: The SAN volume connects to the Xsan metadata controller and all Xsan clients through a high-speed Fibre Channel switch. Apple has qualified many popular third-party switches for use with Xsan.
3) Xsan metadata controller: Xsan includes software called the “metadata controller,” which acts as the traffic cop for the SAN. When an Xsan client attempts to read or write to a file, it gets permission from the metadata controller, then accesses the data directly on the SAN over high-speed Fibre Channel. Any Xserve or Mac Pro running Mac OS X Server can be an Xsan metadata controller.
4)Xsan clients: Mac desktop or Xserve systems running Xsan have direct block-level access to files stored on the SAN volume and full read/write capability. As performance needs grow, Xsan allows you to add servers and computers to the SAN. With Xsan, one SAN can handle hundreds of clients.
5)Ethernet network: File system metadata is handled “out of band” over a private Ethernet network shared by all systems connected directly to the SAN. This frees up Fibre Channel bandwidth for high-performance storage throughput.
6)Network clients: An Xserve with Mac OS X Server and Xsan can share data from the SAN volume with an unlimited number of networked computers over the Ethernet network using file-sharing protocols, such as AFP, SMB/CIFS, and NFS. |
Top New Features in Xsan 2
Simplified SAN setup
Xsan 2 makes it easier for first-time users to quickly set up and deploy a SAN. Simply select the Xsan
option in the Mac OS X Server assistant, and you’ll be guided through the installation, setup, and
configuration of your Xsan volumes.
 Xsan Admin 2
To make day-to-day SAN administration easier, Xsan 2 features a completely redesigned Xsan
administration application.
Improved performance
A next-generation data and storage pool distribution strategy combines with enhanced affinity
management to dramatically improve high-bandwidth streaming workload.
 MultiSAN
Now a single workstation or server can access Xsan volumes simultaneously. MultiSAN is ideal for users
who need to access multiple Xsan volumes from the same workstation or server, such as in newsrooms
with separate SAN volumes for production and broadcast.
 Spotlight
Spotlight support makes it easy for users to search and access content on your SAN volumes. Xsan 2 takes
advantage of Mac OS X features including Cover Flow and Quick Look, so users can preview files without
even opening them.
 Leopard Server integration
Mac OS X Server features such as iCal Server, Mail Server, and Podcast Producer integrate with Xsan 2 to
support clustered file systems and improve performance and scalability.
RAID storage
 Xsan 2 is qualified to support RAID storage hardware including Xserve RAID and the Promise VTrak E-Class
RAID Subsystem.
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