Apple Xsan 2 (Third Edition) - Manual (Page 43)

Chapter 3 Setting Up a Storage Area Network 43
Step 6: Create a Metadata Array
Ten GB of disk space is enough to store the metadata for a volume containing 10
million files, so a two-drive RAID 1 (mirrored) array is generally large enough to store
the metadata for your SAN volume. If you dedicate a spare drive to this array to
guarantee availability, three drives are adequate for your SAN metadata. If your RAID
arrays consist of four or more drives, you can convert an existing array into a small
metadata array so you can reuse the extra drives.
To create the metadata array:
1 If you don’t have three spare drives or if all drives in your RAID systems belong to
RAID arrays, use the management application for your RAID system to delete an
existing array.
2 Use two of the drives to create a two-drive RAID 1 (mirrored) array.
3 Assign a third drive as a dedicated spare for the array.
You can use leftover drives from the original array to create a separate array, or save
them for use as spares. If you’re using an Xserve RAID system for storage, don’t put
the RAID array used for metadata on the same RAID controller as an array used for
user data.
Step 7: Install Xsan Software on Clients and Controllers
To install the Xsan software:
1 Take the Xsan Install Disc to each client computer connected to the SAN and install the
Xsan software.
2 Install the Xsan software on the servers that will be standby metadata controllers.
3 Install the Xsan software on the server that will be the primary metadata controller.
If you use Server Assistant to set up a server as metadata controller, it prompts you to
insert the Xsan Install Disc when it’s time to install the Xsan software. The last computer
you install the Xsan software on should be the primary metadata controller.
To install the Xsan file system and Xsan Admin application:
Insert the
m Xsan Install Disc, double-click the Install Xsan icon, and then follow the
onscreen instructions to install the Xsan software.
If you’re setting up new metadata controller, or a controller that you just performed a
clean installation of Mac OS X Server on, the setup assistant prompts you to insert the
Xsan Install Disc when it’s time to install the Xsan software.
To install just the Xsan file system without Xsan Admin:
1 Insert the Xsan Install Disc, double-click the Install Xsan icon, and then follow the
onscreen instructions until you reach the Custom Install pane.
2 In the Custom Install pane, deselect Xsan Admin, click Continue, and follow the
remaining onscreen instructions to install only the Xsan file system.