Xsan
SAN Recovery - Xsan
Xsan is a 64-bit clustered file system developed by Apple Inc., for Mac OS X. Xsan allows multiple Mac desktop and Xserve systems to directly access the same storage without the need for a fileserver in the middle. Each Xsan client treats this centralized data as if each of them were directly connected.
Features
- Xsan functions as a storage area network (SAN). It includes metadata controller software, the file system client software, and integrated setup, management and monitoring tools.
- Xsan supports billions of files per volume, and each metadata controller can host multiple file volumes at the same time. Each file can store up to 2 petabytes.
- File sharing over Fibre Channel enables faster data transfer and greater aggregate throughput, enabling transfer of dense formats such as HD video.
- The file-level locking feature of Xsan enables simultaneous access to shared files. It allows all clients to access all the files on the volume, but restricts unauthorized clients from editing the files.
- With its high-availability design, Xsan allows users to access mission critical data even in the event of a network failure.
- Xsan is highly flexible. It supports file permissions compatible not only with Mac clients, but also with Windows Server, Windows Vista, and Windows XP.
- Xsan also facilitates integration with Open Directory, Active Directory, or any other enterprise LDAP directory service.
The latest version, Xsan 2.0 also includes simplified volume setup (Xsan Admin 2), host volumes on separate Xsan controllers (MultiSAN) and scanning through the content on SAN volumes (Spotlight).
