New software product transforms any Intel Mac into a powerful SAN server
Las Vegas, Nevada, April 16, 2012 – Studio Network Solutions (SNS), a premier provider of post-production storage products for video and audio workgroups, today unveiled the unique capabilities of its new software product, globalSAN Xtarget Storage Server.
Xtarget is the only software built for OS X that enables customers to inexpensively transform an Intel Mac into an iSCSI SAN storage server. Users can connect Thunderbolt, USB, and FireWire DAS (Direct Attach Storage) devices to a Mac with Xtarget installed, then present the storage over Ethernet as iSCSI devices, which can then be shared using Xsan.
The driving benefit of Xtarget is that it enables customers to quickly create a SAN using components they’re likely to already own, thus saving time and money yet still getting the performance and workflow benefits of a typical SAN.
Customers quickly understand the value in building a SAN with hardware they already have. “With Xtarget and iSANmp, we turned our Mac Mini and Promise Thunderbolt array into a production SAN for our FCP X suites,” states Christopher Mattock, President of Flow Motion, Inc. “The improvement to our workflow has been massively enhanced. We’re very pleased.”
“Xtarget can present just about any local storage over iSCSI, but in fact, Xtarget is proving to have use cases above and beyond what would be considered for a traditional SAN,” states Ryan Stoutenborough, President of Studio Network Solutions. “For example: with Xtarget, a Mac Mini, and a few pounds of hardware, you can have a multi-user SAN that travels with you to the field, hotel, and other on-location work. You can even present your Xtarget disks to the cloud for remote users.”
Xtarget is compatible with any Intel Mac running OS X 10.6.8 or Lion. It can be used with FireWire, Thunderbolt, USB, eSATA, Fibre Channel, and SAS disks. The common use will be for multiple users to share common pools of storage, so Xtarget is compatible with Xsan, iSANmp, and other similar sharing software.
globalSAN Xtarget is a new component of the globalSAN iSCSI Initiator for OS X. A 14-day trial can be installed by downloading the globalSAN package. Xtarget Storage Server is available immediately for $899 USD.
At NAB
For more information, visit SNS at NAB 2012 in booth SL13207 and in its “workflow ecosystem” partners’ locations: SL11509 (Square Box Systems), SL10508 (Cache-A), and SL9109 (Marquise Technologies).
About SNS
Studio Network Solutions (SNS) specializes in the development of shared storage hardware and software solutions for the Media and Entertainment industry. Since day one we’ve applied unmatched ingenuity and experience to create outstanding products that exceed industry expectations while providing outstanding support to our customers.
Our customers range in size from individual freelance engineers to multinational media powerhouses. Our solutions are used to produce everything from books on tape to full track scoring for major Hollywood films. Our products have been at the technical core of the music you listen to, the games you play, the shows you watch and the movies you see.
We have a valued network of resellers located throughout the United States… and the world. Whether you have a product question or you’re ready to place an order, we encourage you to contact us today.