MEET ACTIVESAN
The High-Performance Metadata Controller Appliance for Xsan and StorNext® Networks
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
WORKFLOWS
Post Production Workflow
Mixed Platform Media SAN
House of Worship Workflow
Apple Creative Workflow
DOWNLOADS
PRICING & CONFIGURATIONS
| ActiveSANX8 | ActiveSANX20 | ActiveSANUNL | ActiveSANQUNL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suggested Retail* | $23,499 (per pair) |
$25,499 (per pair) |
$28,999 (per pair) |
$33,999 (per pair) |
| Maximum Number of Xsan Clients | 8 | 20 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Maximum Number of Supported Stornext Clients | 0 | 0 | 0 | Unlimited |
| Processor | Intel E5530 2.4GHz 4Core Xeon | Intel E5530 2.4GHz 4Core Xeon | Intel E5530 2.4GHz 4Core Xeon | Intel E5530 2.4GHz 4Core Xeon |
| Memory | 8GB 1066MHz DDR3 ECC Memory | 8GB 1066MHz DDR3 ECC Memory | 8GB 1066MHz DDR3 ECC Memory | 8GB 1066MHz DDR3 ECC Memory |
| Storage | 2x 1TB 7200 RPM Enterprise SATA | 2x 1TB 7200 RPM Enterprise SATA | 2x 1TB 7200 RPM Enterprise SATA | 2x 1TB 7200 RPM Enterprise SATA |
| Graphics | On-board VGA | On-board VGA | On-board VGA | On-board VGA |
| Interfaces | 2x 8Gb Fibre Channel, 2x 1Gb Ethernet, 4x USB2, 1x RS232 (UPS) | 2x 8Gb Fibre Channel, 2x 1Gb Ethernet, 4x USB2, 1x RS232 (UPS) | 2x 8Gb Fibre Channel, 2x 1Gb Ethernet, 4x USB2, 1x RS232 (UPS) | 2x 8Gb Fibre Channel, 2x 1Gb Ethernet, 4x USB2, 1x RS232 (UPS) |
| Technical Support | 3 Year - 24/7/365 Phone and Email Support | 3 Year - 24/7/365 Phone and Email Support | 3 Year - 24/7/365 Phone and Email Support | 3 Year - 24/7/365 Phone and Email Support |
| Warranty | 3 Year HW Replacement, First Year Overnight Exchange | 3 Year HW Replacement, First Year Overnight Exchange | 3 Year HW Replacement, First Year Overnight Exchange | 3 Year HW Replacement, First Year Overnight Exchange |
* Suggested MSRP in U.S. Dollars for North America - pricing in other currencies and locales may differ to reflect local exchange rate and shipping. Please contact your reseller or Active Storage for more information for your region.
FAQ
Why is ActiveSAN referred to as an "appliance" rather than a server?
ActiveSAN is based on 1U server configuration that has been highly optimized from a hardware and software standpoint in order to provide the highest performance and most reliable metadata controller operation. Additionally, Active Storage engineers developed a unified admin utility and optimization tool to make setup and management simple. This combination provides an appliance-like simplicity to the ActiveSAN and ensures that metadata controller integrity cannot be compromised by the addition of unauthorized software.
Can ActiveSAN be used as an AFP Server?
Presently, ActiveSAN is only a metadata controller appliance.
Why are ActiveSAN systems sold in pairs?
ActiveSAN is a high-performance, high-availability metadata controller appliance. To ensure non-stop operation ActiveSAN was designed to be used in failover pairs, using the High-Availability feature of Quantum StorNext®. This feature is included in every ActiveSAN appliance pair.
Are ActiveSAN systems available as a single appliance in case I want a spare?
Yes, these are available by quote - contact your sales associate for more information.
Is ActiveSAN compatible with other storage products?
ActiveSAN is guaranteed to perform optimally when used with ActiveRAID, but other storage may be used. Currently, only the ActiveRAID is certified, but other high-quality storage can be used. However, ActiveSAN will not improve the performance or reliability of inferior storage products.
Will ActiveStats work with storage other than ActiveRAID?
ActiveStats is Active Storage's performance profiling tool and is included with ActiveSAN. It will work with other storage attached, although the benefits will only be fully achieved when using an ActiveRAID.
What Linux features are included in ActiveSAN? Can I run any Linux applications I want to?
ActiveSAN is based on a highly optimized enterprise Linux OS. It is designed to function as a metadata controller and therefore can only run applications that come with the appliance, or are provided by Active Storage.
What is the maximum RAM an ActiveSAN appliance can have? Is it ECC RAM?
ActiveSAN metadata controller appliance comes with 1066Mhz DDR 3 ECC RAM and is capable of supporting up to 96GBs of RAM and is user installable. Full RAM specifications are available at: http://support.activestorage.com
What is the amount of maximum storage I can put in the ActiveSAN?
ActiveSAN appliances are configured from the factory with mirrored 1TB 7200RPM SATA II enterprise class hard drives. Upgrades may be available from time to time, but currently 1TB is a generous capacity for OS and applications use.
When will Innerpool be available for ActiveSAN? Will it be field upgradeable?
Innerpool is scheduled to be available as an ActiveSAN option in Q2 2011, and current ActiveSAN appliances will be field upgradeable.
I am used to the StorNext® Web GUI, can I use it with ActiveSAN?
ActiveSAN uses the ActiveSAN Admin for all remote admin functions and therefore the StorNext® GUI is not used. However, there is a command line toolset for users that prefer it.
Will ActiveSAN have a CLI for advanced users?
Yes, a CLI will be provided.
How do I migrate from an Xserve Xsan volume to an ActiveSAN StorNext® volume?
We will be publishing white papers covering migration and setup of new SAN volumes prior to first customer shipment.
Will ActiveSAN support Spotlight searches?
ActiveSAN will not support Spotlight searches.
Will ActiveSAN work with Apple ACL's (Access Control Lists), Open and Active Directory?
Yes. Full details can be found at http://support.activestorage.com
All trademarks, trade names and copyrights are property of their respective holders. StorNext® is a registered trademark of Quantum Corporation. Apple Macintosh, Xserve, Mac OS X Server and Xsan are property of Apple, Inc.