Apple updates Xsan, gets out of RAID business

The new Xsan 2 tools let storage managers easily tune the Xsan 2 for a variety of data types and files sizes, the company said.

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.

According to the press release, the Xsan 2 software is qualified with Promise Technology's Promise VTrak E-Class RAID hardware and expansion chassis. The units support SAS and SATA drives with a hardware RAID controller, redundant, hot-swappable controllers and load-balanced power and cooling subsystems. Previously, the software was qualified with Apple's Xserve RAID system.

However, it appears from a look through Apple's site and store that Apple discontinued its RAID storage line. And this was confirmed by Apple this afternoon minutes after I posted this article.

Of course, the new SAN software is supported by Leopard Server.

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.