RSSApple releases Xsan 2
Apple gets short shrift in the server and storage market, but their Xserve and Xsan products are pretty slick and it would be a pity if no one noticed that they released version 2 of their Xsan software today.
I think that there are some good, solid reasons why Apple isn't making as much progress in the enterprise as they could. Their support and response to bugs is entirely inadequate for enterprise users, and the focus on the aesthetic sometimes seems to blind their designs to some of the features more important to the enterprise than to individuals. Nonetheless, I think they have some significant advantages when it comes to pricing and licensing and these advantages don't seem to be factored in to many decisions made about their products.
Although Xsan is essentially a rebranded version of Quantum's StorNext SAN file system, Apple's refinements to the management systems and integration of Spotlight searching represent real added value. If you have any interest at all in exploring the Xsan option further, I recommend checking out Xsanity, an independent site covering Apple's storage and server technologies.
