Apple Xsan 1.0 - Manual (Page 8)

8 Chapter 1 Introduction to Xsan
Xsan and Storage Area Networks
A storage area network is a way of connecting computers to storage devices that gives
users very fast access to files and gives administrators the ability to expand storage
capacity as needed without interrupting users.
An Xsan SAN consists of:
• Volumes of shared storage, stored on Xserve RAID systems, available to clients as
mounted volumes that they can use like local disks
• At least one computer acting as a metadata controller that coordinates access to the
shared volumes
• Client computers that access storage in accordance with established permissions and
quotas
• Underlying Fibre Channel and Ethernet networks
The following illustration shows the physical components of a typical Xsan SAN.
Metadata
controller
Clients
Standby
controller
Xserve RAID
storage
Fibre
Channel switch
Ethernet - TCP/IP
(Public)
Ethernet - TCP/IP
(Private)
Intranet/
Internet
LL2652.book Page 8 Wednesday, July 28, 2004 3:45 PM