Specifications

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Technology Overview
Xserve
Xsan
Xsan is a 64-bit cluster file system designed for small and large computing environ-
ments that demand the highest level of data availability. This specialized technology
enables multiple Xserve systems, as well as Mac Pro workstations, to share RAID
storage volumes over a high-speed Fibre Channel network. Each client can read
and write directly to the centralized file system, scaling storage bandwidth while
improving workgroup collaboration.
Enterprise-class features—such as metadata controller failover, Fibre Channel
multipathing, and built-in volume management—make Xsan an ideal choice for
storage consolidation and NAS replacement in data centers. Xsan is designed to
provide file-level locking with concurrent read and write access, volume sizes up
to 2 petabytes, and fine-grained permissions using access control lists (ACLs).
Such robust features allow Xsan to scale out file services for a large number of
users and to accelerate high-bandwidth workflows in film and video. In addition,
thanks to groundbreaking prices, Xsan meets the low-cost requirements of
computational clusters.
Whether in data centers, video post-production facilities, or high-performance
computing environments, Xsan delivers these important benefits:
•
Storage consolidation. Pool data across multiple RAID arrays for better performance
and more efficient storage utilization.
•
High throughput. Eliminate the bottlenecks of Ethernet-based networks.
•
Simultaneous read/write access. Enable workgroups to collaborate easily and
accomplish results faster than ever with concurrent file access.
•
Easy volume scalability. Plug in more RAID devices as storage requirements grow—
expanding the shared volume easily.
•
Increased data availability. Eliminate single points of failure through metadata
controller failover and Fibre Channel multipathing.
Xsan delivers all of this performance, flexibility, and scalability without the
complexity—or the cost—of competitive SAN solutions.