Topology Example 1

In this example, we are using the most basic of topologies. We have a total of 3.9 TB of storage utilizing a fully populated RAID (5.6 TB model). The SAN's bandwidth availability with one fully populated Xserve RAID is 160 to 200 megabytes per second (MB/s). This SAN is isolated; that is, the system is not connected to an outer network. This is perfect for implementations in which highly confidential content is being edited. Also, we are not utilizing a centralized directory, so clients will be locally authenticated (the server will not be in control of the login process), and the "chatter" on the metadata network will be kept to a minimum. In order to access and set up either the Fibre Channel switch or the Xserve RAID, an additional connection must be made from a separate computer outside the network.

Storage

• 1 x Xserve RAID 5.6 TB (fully populated with 400 GB drive modules)

• 512 MB cache per controller (1 GB total)

Fibre Channel Switch

• 1 x Apple qualified Fibre Channel switch

Metadata Controllers

• Xserve, Xserve G5, or Xserve G5 cluster node

• 1 GB RAM per controller

• Apple Fibre Channel PCI-X card

• Mac OS X Server v10.3.6 or later

• Apple Xsan software

• PCI video card (optional)

Metadata Network

• 1 x unmanaged gigabit Ethernet switch

Client Workstations

• Power Macintosh G5 or Power Macintosh G4 Dual 800 or faster

• Apple Fibre Channel PCI Express or PCI-X card

• Mac OS X v10.3.6 or later

• Apple Xsan software