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Xsan 2 Adds Multi-SAN Support

Apple this week released an update to Xsan, the company's 64-bit storage-area network solution designed to allow workstations and Xserve systems to share RAID storage over Fibre Channel networks. The new version adds workflow enhancements across the board and also introduces a new feature called MultiSAN.

MultiSAN allows a single client on a desktop or workstation to access multiple storage area networks simultaneously, particularly Xsan volumes hosted by separate Xsan metadata controllers. Such a scheme is designed to improve the performance and reliability of the volumes.

Xsan 2 also includes expanded administration features via Xsan Admin 2, which includes access control, notifications, a new Inspector feature, and new options for connecting to remote computers.

Other new features include:

  • Simplified setup;
  • Content scanning via Spotlight;
  • Support for files as large as 2 petabytes (PB);
  • File-level locking;
  • Full integration with Mac OS X 10.5 Leopard and Leopard Server; and
  • Qualifications for third-party RAID storage.

In other Apple news, the company has also released Keyboard Firmware Update 1.0 for MacBook and MacBook Pro systems. The update addresses an issue having to do with keyboard input after the machine has been sitting idle. It also tackles "some other issues," according to Apple.

Xsan 2.0 is available now. The full system runs $999. The MacBook/MacBook Pro Keyboard Firmware Update 1.0 is available through Software Update or Apple's support site at no charge.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


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