Academia

Until now, the Apple Xserve was the Metadata Controller of choice for Xsan installations, providing enterprise form factor and capabilities.

Xsan users in high-pressure Media and Entertainment markets require datacenter-level quality products to manage their SAN volumes, but also demand the ease of use and setup of Xsan.

Previously, that meant one thing: Xsan on an Xserve. But all that changes—with ActiveSAN.

Designed to be the best Metadata Controller for Xsan and StorNext installations, ActiveSAN is much more than a generic server with StorNext software loaded on it. ActiveSAN is a fully integrated Metadata Controller solution consisting of a highly innovative Intel Xeon server-based appliance that features a straightforward design for easy installation and serviceability. It combines stunning Active Storage product design and the rock-solid performance and reliability of the Intel Nehalem platform in a 1U rack form factor. ActiveSAN utilizes an enterprise hardened Linux operating system and the Quantum StorNext SAN file system.

ActiveSAN is unlike anything else available.
The installation and management of the appliance is designed for rapid deployment utilizing a single administration utility that provides setup for server and file system parameters. With Linux OS and Active Xsan-optimized StorNext shared file system, the ActiveSAN is a solid performer. The Active Storage designed native Mac OS X User Interface and Management Suite were designed for phenomenal ease of use in deployment and management of the Operating System and StorNext. If you are familiar with Xsan or Mac OS X, you will be ready to go in minutes!

Simply put, Active Storage provides a better alternative to Xserve for Xsan MDC use. It’s ready to go “out of the box” with a 1U form factor, redundant power, Lights Out Management, enterprise robustness, and the many expansion capabilities provided by StorNext such as StorageManager.

ActiveSAN is a groundbreaking product—bringing the power of StorNext to Xsan users with a friendly, easy to use, highly optimized interface.

ActiveSAN is the only solution for users that need a high-performance Metadata Controller designed specifically for their evolving Xsan requirements.

ActiveSAN is the only product to incorporate ActiveStats technology for information and performance profiling metrics across the entire SAN.

ActiveSAN is the only product to incorporate (optional) Innerpool technology for the fastest and most efficient and reliable Metadata storage (available Q2 2011)

SPECIFICATIONS

• 1U rack-optimized enclosure
• Intel Quad-core Xeon processor
• 8GB 1066MHz DDR3 ECC memory
• 1 available 16 lane PCI-e slot
• Dual port 8Gb Fibre Channel Card with SFPs
• Mirrored hot swap 1TB Hitachi Enterprise Class SATA hard drives
• Redundant hot swap 600W auto-sensing power supplies
• Locking power cords
• 4x USB 2.0 ports (2 front, 2 rear)
• 2x GbE ports
• 1x Serial port (for UPS support)
• VGA graphics port
• Rack rail kit with hardware
• Lights Out Management via Active Viewer
• Active Viewer and ActiveSAN Admin Software suite