Apple Introduces Xsan 2
CUPERTINO, California–February 19, 2008–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.
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.
Pricing & Availability
Xsan 2 is available immediately through the Apple Store (www.apple.com) and
through Apple Authorized Resellers for a suggested retail price of $999
(US) 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.