https://www.channelfutures.com/wp-content/themes/channelfutures_child/assets/images/logo/footer-logo.png
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • EMEA
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 501 Reports
    • MSPmentor Education
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • Awards
    • Back
    • European Partners 51 (EP 51) Awards
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • MSP 501 Rankings
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
  • More
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Advertise on Channel Futures
    • Contact Us
Channel Futures
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • Analytics
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Cloud
    • Data Centers
    • Desktop
    • IoT
    • Mobility
    • Networking
    • Open Source
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Virtualization
    • Voice/Connectivity
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Best Practices
    • Business Models
    • Channel 101
    • Channel Programs
    • Channel Research
    • Digital Transformation
    • EMEA
    • Leadership
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Specialty Practices
  • MSSP Insider
    • Back
    • Business of Security
    • Cloud and Edge
    • Endpoint
    • Network
    • People and Careers
    • Training and Policies
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • 501 Reports
    • MSPmentor Education
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Our Sponsors
    • From the Industry
    • Content Resources
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • Reports
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • Awards
    • Back
    • European Partners 51 (EP 51) Awards
    • Excellence in Digital Services
    • MSP 501 Rankings
    • Top Gun 51
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • Channel Partners Evolution
    • Channel Evolution Europe
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
  • More
    • Back
    • About Us
    • Advertise on Channel Futures
    • Contact Us
    • Newsletter
  • REGISTER
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Digital Service Providers
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • CHANNEL PARTNERS ONLINE
 Channel Futures

Channel Programs


Goodbye Apple Xserve, Hello ActiveStorage ActiveSAN?

  • Written by The VAR Guy 1
  • February 1, 2011
On Jan. 31, 2011, Apple ceased shipping Xserves. Luckily for those users of Xserve technology, ActiveStorage has picked up where Xserve left off (as a metadata controller appliance) with its new ActiveStorage ActiveSAN.

On Jan. 31, 2011, Apple ceased shipping Xserves. Luckily for those users of Xserve technology, ActiveStorage has picked up where Xserve left off (as a metadata controller appliance) with its new ActiveStorage ActiveSAN. The VAR Guy knows not whether Apple provided any direction on the shiny new appliance, but it looks eerily like — and has many of the same features as — its fallen Apple counterpart. Read on for the details.

Apparently, ActiveStorage’s ActiveSAN is a replacement solution for Xserve Xsan installations in both feature list and form-factor. ActiveSAN runs Linux with a GUI that makes it easy to implement and ready to use out of the box, complete with similar features IT admins and VARs who have worked with Apple would be familiar with. When used with the Quantum StorNext SAN file system, (which Apple Xsan is based on), integration is seamless. Active Storage also announced an ActiveSAN training and certification program for certified engineers and system administrators, but declined to give pricing on ActiveSAN.

Over the years more than a few companies have tried to integrate smoothly with Apple products, with varying degrees of success. So what makes ActiveStorage’s so special? For starters, the company is run by former Apple employees, including CEO Alex Grossman.

“A lot of us came from Apple to pursue some other things,” Grossman said, noting that former storage, server and channel team members at Apple are now all part of ActiveStorage. To that end, they have an affinity for Apple and the company is even an Apple Developer Partner.

With Apple discontinuing Xserve, ActiveStorage saw a real need for ActiveSAN, which fills what would otherwise be a big, gaping hole in certain verticals such as media, where massive amounts of video editing occurs. “You have a number of users directly connected to the storage with Xsan to edit video [and] work with content at high speeds — huge customers with hundreds of people,” Grossman said. And  because ActiveSAN is nearly turnkey, VARs can just drop it into the data closet. “It’s easier than setting it (Xsan) up on what Apple had before. It’s actually all in one step,” Grossman said.

Educational markets as well as the large marketing departments in major corporations and health care all are good candidates for ActiveSAN, he noted. And, of course, The VAR Guy wants to know how the channel fits into ActiveStorage’s sales model.

“We’re 100 percent channel, no direct sales whatsoever, and we’re 100 percent supportive of the VARs,” he said.

The VAR Guy sees a potential here for a company to feast off the crumbs of a market Apple has abandoned. Normally our resident blogger would be giving Apple a wag of the finger for dropping a technology without an exit strategy beyond “you can buy a MacMini Server or the server-configuration of the MacPro,” but ActiveStorage seems poised to benefit from the Xsan metadata controller need of Xserve, which clearly took a hit from Apple’s actions. If that doesn’t hint at covert support of ActiveStorage’s ActiveSAN, The VAR Guy is stumped to know what does.

Sign up for The VAR Guy’s Weekly Newsletter, Webcasts and Resource Center. Follow The VAR Guy via RSS, Facebook and Twitter. Follow experts at VARtweet. Read The VAR Guy’s editorial disclosures here.

Tags: Cloud Service Providers Digital Service Providers MSPs VARs/SIs Channel Programs Cloud

Related


  • Colleague fist bump
    Slack Reports Strong Enterprise Growth Alongside Office 365 and Teams
    CEO claims many Office 365 customers ditch bundled Teams for Slack.
  • Network integration
    MSP 501 Profile: QOS Networks Has Its Eye on Network Integration
    501-er QOS Networks talks about the IoT and AI, overall network security and the increased adoption of SD-WAN.
  • Push back against controversy
    AWS re:Invent 2019: Jassy Pushes Back on JEDI Award to Microsoft
    The AWS CEO spoke publicly this week about the controversial project.
  • #1 Foam Finger
    Storage Software Vendor WekaIO Launches First-Ever Partner Program
    After three years in business, WekaIO says it was time to create formal opportunities for its channel partners.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your Channel Futures account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Juniper Networks Expands SD-WAN Solution to Include SD-LAN
  • AWS re:Invent Day 2 News Includes Highly Anticipated Outposts Release for Partners
  • HPE: GreenLake Central Is 'the Last Puzzle Piece' in Cloud Experience Strategy
  • Expanded Lenovo-Pivot3 Partnership: Smart City Initiatives Get Boost

Galleries

Images: Channel Evolution Europe Featuring Avant, 8×8, Sophos, CenturyLink, More

December 5, 2019
view all

From the Industry

The Importance of Strengthening Your Cyber Security Culture

December 4, 2019

Don’t Let Lack of HIPAA Compliance Make Your Business Sick

December 4, 2019

Using ADR to Help Secure Your Business First

December 4, 2019
view all

Webinars

Why Business Value Should Be Your First Concern and How to Create More of It

December 12, 2019

From MSP to MSSP: Seizing the Managed Security Opportunity

December 17, 2019
view all

White Papers

Secrets to Sustainable Growth – for MSPs, by MSPs

December 4, 2019

Why Managed Security Presents A Golden Opportunity for MSPs

November 26, 2019

The Ultimate Guide to On-Site Managed Services

November 26, 2019
view all

Events

Channel Partners Conference & Expo

March 9, 2020 - March 12, 2020
view all

Videos

FASTCHAT: Why an MSP Needs to Extend Detection and Response Beyond Endpoint Security

October 22, 2019

Ingram Micro: It’s Up to Our MSP Partners to Keep Clients ‘Out of the Headlines’

October 14, 2019

Liongard: Here’s How We ‘Roar’ for the MSP Community

October 14, 2019
view all

Twitter

ChannelFutures

.@IngramMicroInc promoted Paul Bay and three others. dlvr.it/RL6Flb https://t.co/Zb5Q07xqsQ

December 11, 2019
ChannelFutures

.@watchguard report shows old Equifax vulnerability was top network attack target in Q3. #cybersecurity… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

December 11, 2019
ChannelFutures

.@Cisco's five-year plus R&D efforts for the next internet include #Cisco Silicon One technology and the 8000 Serie… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

December 11, 2019
ChannelFutures

.@Netsurion announces integration with @itglue for improved #MSP capabilities. #cybersecurity… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

December 11, 2019
ChannelFutures

Are you ready for 2020? The new year is just weeks away and @Gartner_inc has come out with the top #techtrends for… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

December 11, 2019
ChannelFutures

In an Art of Mission Keynote, Guy Kawasaki explains 10 tips that #MSPs can use to improve their business. Those tip… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

December 11, 2019
ChannelFutures

.@kaspersky research shows spike in #ransomware attacks on municipalities. dlvr.it/RL5YSM https://t.co/5lnFsTNzdp

December 11, 2019
ChannelFutures

bit.ly/36nuaDY twitter.com/Channel_Online…

December 11, 2019

MSSP Insider

Newsletters and Updates

Sign up for The Channel Report, Channel Futures Update, MSP 501 Newsletter and more.

Live Channel Events

Get the latest information on the next industry-leading Channel Partners event.

Channel Partners Online

Want more? Find more channel news and analysis on our sister site, Channel Partners.

Media Kit And Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • Channel Partners Online
  • Channel Partners Events
  • MSP 501
  • MSSP Insider
  • IoT World Today
  • Webhostingtalk

WORKING WITH US

  • Contact
  • About us
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter

FOLLOW Channel Futures ON SOCIAL

  • Cookie Policy
  • Privacy
  • Terms
Copyright ©2019 Informa PLC. Informa Telecoms & Media Limited is a company registered in England and Wales with company number 00991704 whose registered office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG. VAT GB365462636. Informa Telecoms & Media Limited is part of Informa PLC.
✕

channel futures Logo

Want to stay updated? Sign up for our Channel Futures newsletters today.

Websites are now required by law to gain your consent before applying cookies. We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Parts of the website may not work as expected without them. By closing or ignoring this message, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
X