User`s guide

1
7
1 Introduction to Xsan
This chapter gives you an overview of Xsan and how you
can use it to provide fast, shared storage on a storage
area network (SAN).
If you want to set up an Xsan volume on a storage area network right now, skip to
Chapter 2, “Before You Begin,” on page 15.
What Is Xsan?
Xsan is a storage area network file system and a management application (Xsan Admin)
you can use to provide users or applications on client computers with shared high-
speed access to expandable storage.
Xsan lets you
combine RAID arrays
into volumes clients
use like local disks.
Volumes
Fibre
Channel
SAN vol
RAID
arrays (LUNs)
Storage
pools
LL2652.book Page 7 Wednesday, July 28, 2004 3:45 PM