Category list

Supported Computers

Memory

Metadata Controllers

Controllers should have a minimum of 512 MB of RAM. In cases where you will have more than one volume, allocate 512 MB RAM per volume for optimal performance. ECC (Error Correction Code) memory is preferred for RAM in metadata controllers.

Client Machines

Client machines should have a minimum of 256 MB of RAM, with 512 MB of RAM recommended. If you are running any of the professional applications (Final Cut Pro, Shake, Motion, DVD Studio Pro, Logic, Soundtrack Pro, or Aperture), the recommended system requirements will vary between 384 MB and up to 4 GB of RAM.

Supported Operating Systems

Max OS X v.10.3.9 (Xsan 1.2 for Mac OS X v10.3)
Mac OS X v10.4 or later (Xsan 1.2 for Mac OS X v10.4)
Mac OS Server v10.3.9 (Xsan 1.2 for Mac OS X v10.3)
Mac OS Server v10.4 or later (Xsan 1.2 for Mac OS X v10.4)

Version Compatibility

Controller	Client	Compatible?
Xsan 1.0.x or 1.2 (Mac OS X v10.3)	Xsan 1.0.x or 1.2 (Mac OS X v10.3)	Yes
	Xsan 1.2 (Mac OS X v10.4)	No
	StorNext 2.4	Yes
	StorNext 2.5	No
Xsan 1.2 (Mac OS X v10.4)	Xsan 1.0.x or 1.2 (Mac OS X v10.3)	Yes
	Xsan 1.2 (Mac OS X v10.4)	Yes
	StorNext 2.4	No
	StorNext 2.5	Yes
StorNext 2.4	Xsan 1.0.x or 1.2 (Mac OS X v10.3)	Yes
	Xsan 1.2 (Mac OS X v10.4)	No
	StorNext 2.4	Yes
	StorNext 2.5	No
StorNext 2.5	Xsan 1.0.x or 1.2 (Mac OS X v10.3)	Yes
	Xsan 1.2 (Mac OS X v10.4)	Yes
	StorNext 2.4	Yes
	StorNext 2.5	Yes

Important: Whether you are running Panther or Tiger systems, your metadata controllers (MDCs) must always have software versions (both Xsan and Mac OS) that are equal to or more recent than the most recent client versions. Specifically, if any client in your Xsan network is running Xsan 1.2 on Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later, then your MDCs must also be updated to Xsan 1.2 on Mac OS X 10.4.3 or later.

Using ADIC's StorNext software version 2.4 or later, you will also be able to integrate Xsan with the following operating systems:

Windows (Microsoft)
AIX (IBM)
IRIX (SGI)
Solaris (Sun)
Linux

For more information on StorNext software, go to www.adic.com.

Storage Devices

Use Xserve RAID systems for optimum compatibility with Xsan. This book assumes you are using Xserve RAID systems for your storage devices.

Apple Xserve RAID consists of two controllers, each holding up to seven Apple Drive Modules. Each controller should have the maximum 512 MB of RAM installed for optimal performance with Xsan.

Fibre Channel Fabric

In order to attain high data transfer rates (uncompressed high-definition video, for example), a Fibre Channel network is implemented to connect clients , controllers, and storage to your SAN. This will be the main data connection for large files you will transfer throughout your SAN.

A number of components make up the Fibre Channel fabric, including copper or optical cabling, small form factor pluggables (SFPs), host bus adapters (HBAs), and supported Fibre Channel switches.