Apple Releases Xsan 2; MacBook Firmware Also Updated
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.
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About the author: David Nagel is the executive editor for 1105 Media's online education technology publications, including THE Journal and Campus Technology. He can be reached at dnagel@1105media.com.
Proposals for articles and tips for news stories, as well as questions and comments about this publication, should be submitted to David Nagel, executive editor, at dnagel@1105media.com.