Lesson5.Setting Up Your Metadata Controller

Lesson 5. Setting Up Your Metadata Controller

In this chapter, we assume that you are setting up a metadata controller using a supported Apple Macintosh computer. This controller can be running either of the following:

• Mac OS X version 10.3.6 or later

• Mac OS X Server version 10.3.6 or later

You will have to decide on the amount of flexibility and expandability you would like in your setup before installing either one of these systems. If you choose to run Mac OS X on your metadata controller, you will be limited in the options for mail, AFP, SMB, FTP, Web, and other server services. Mac OS X Server is built specifically to run server services and will give you much more flexibility in managing your network. Also, ECC (error correcting code) RAM is available only on Xserve G5s and certain G5 desktops at this time, greatly increasing the reliability of your metadata controller.

Regardless of which supported Macintosh you use for your metadata controller, an Apple Fibre Channel PCI Express or PCI-X card will need to be installed in the system.