Apple today introduced Xsan 2, the first major upgrade to its easy to use, high performance, enterprise class Storage Area Network (SAN) file system for Mac OS X. Combining enhanced performance with Apple’s legendary ease of use, Xsan 2 makes it easier for first time users to set up and quickly deploy a SAN; introduces MultiSAN, allowing users on a single workstation to access multiple SANs at the same time; is fully integrated with Mac OS X Leopard and Mac OS X Server Leopard and is now qualified to work with third-party RAID storage.
MacDailyNews Note: Please see related article: Apple discontinues Xserve RAID – February 19, 2008
Administration tools have been completely redesigned in Xsan 2, making it easier than ever to set up and manage a SAN file system. Xsan 2 intelligently handles different data types, file sizes and usage scenarios for ideal performance. For example, administrators have the ability to pre-set volume workload settings for optimal streaming of all file types, from very large files, such as uncompressed HD video to small data center files. Xsan 2 includes a new feature, MultiSAN, 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.
Xsan 2 is fully integrated with Mac OS X Leopard and takes complete advantage of core Mac OS X features, such as Spotlight to search across multiple SAN volumes. Xsan 2 also works seamlessly with Server Assistant in Leopard Server for easy setup and configuration of SAN volumes. Leopard Server features, such as iCal Server, Mail Server and Podcast Producer, can now integrate with Xsan 2 to support clustered file systems, improving performance and scalability and reducing the impact of a service outage from the loss of any one server.
For the first time, Xsan 2 has been qualified with third-party RAID storage hardware. Along with Apple’s Xserve RAID, Xsan 2 supports third-party RAID solutions from Promise Technology in configurations tuned and optimized for Xsan, Mac OS X Server and Apple’s professional applications.
Xsan 2 is available immediately through the Apple Store and through Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of US$999 per node.
Apple has qualified Xsan 2 with Xserve, Mac Pro and Apple Fibre Channel PCI-X cards. Xsan 2 requires Mac OS X version 10.5 or Mac OS X Server version 10.5 software installed and will support qualified Fibre Channel switches from vendors such as Brocade, QLogic and Cisco, and RAID storage hardware including Xserve RAID and Promise VTrak E-Class RAID subsystems.
More info about Xsan 2 can be found via Apple Store here.
I shaved my legs for this?
Wow, that’s exciting, but have you ever noticed that every one of Apple’s products, somewhere in their price, has a #9?
#9?
#9?
#9?
It’s like “Salisbury Hall” times a thousand all over again…..
TT, $999 sounds SO much better than $1,000 … and uses one less digit, and no comma at all, to accomplish it. So the profit drops from $300 down to a mere $299 … what’s the big deal? The stock price will sink? Don’t think so. Besides … look at all the extra “9”s they can gather in the process!
Dave
that is so so so WOZ!
he loved repeated numbers…no doubt he was part of the pricing of this one
Dave-
Make that $999.99, and YOU’VE got a DEAL!
Err …. They killed the XServe Raid’s 🙁
News didn’t even make the homepage but can’t wait to test drive this baby.
will non-OSX be able to talk on this SAN? Or do I still need a 3rd party piece of software for Windows/Linux to talk on this SAN?
EMC here we come!
Is MultiSAN a Japanese term for Mister More Than a Few?