Solution Component Descriptions, Apple Clients

Note: A customer seeking connection that has already deployed Apple Xsan MDC will need to transition to a Quantum StorNext MDC running either on Linux or Windows Server. However the Apple Xsan clients can remain.

SOLUTION COMPONENT DESCRIPTIONS

SAN Architecture criteria

•Limit number of paths for Xsan/StorNext clients to four

•This is to limit both complexity and the amount of time required to initialize clients on the SAN

•Redundant Meshed FibreChannel SAN (cross-connected)

•Some IBM documentation may seem to preclude this, but those documents are based on an old multipathing methodology

•Limits cause for failover to Controller failure

•Specific Firmware, software, and Operating System Levels

Apple Clients

•Apple connection without StorNext/Xsan support, or

•May use StorNext for shared SAN access

oApple Xsan Client software licensed from Apple on the Mac clients

Note: For this solution, you cannot use Apple servers as the Meta Data Controllers (MDCs). The reason is - if you use the Xsan clients and Xsan Meta Data Controller (MDC), then your primary support for the shared file system comes from Apple and the hardware solution described in this guide are NOT supported. However, if you use the StorNext MDC from

Quantum, then Quantum will support the solution including the ability to connect Xsan clients on the shared SAN to non-Apple SAN hardware. As you can see, this is a much more flexible solution.

oMust use Linux or Windows StorNext Meta Data Controllers licensed from Quantum

oMust use supported ATTO HBA and MultiPath Director driver purchased from ATTO or ATTO Resellers

Windows Clients

•Windows client (XP, Vista, Windows 7) connection without StorNext Client software or

•May use StorNext software for shared SAN access

oMust use Linux or Windows StorNext Meta Data Controllers with StorNext licensed from Quantum

oMust use supported ATTO HBA and MultiPath Director driver purchased from ATTO or ATTO Resellers

Windows Server MDCs (Future Support)

•Must buy Quantum StorNext software

•Must buy StorNext Installation services from Quantum

•Must buy StorNext Gold or Silver support contract from Quantum

Digital Media Storage Solution Installation Guide	8
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