Training and Certification

Xsan Administration v1.4 (Xsan 300)

Set up, configure and optimize your SAN solution.

Learn how to implement and administer Xsan, Apple’s enterprise storage networking solution. Take advantage of Xsan’s built-in flexibility and create a storage area network (SAN) compatible with third-party products, maximizing the return on your storage investment. Use the skills, tools, and knowledge from this course to set up, manage and monitor the SAN that’s right for your organization.

Course Description

The three-day Xsan Administration course focuses on deploying storage area networks. Students configure, performance tune, and troubleshoot a storage area network using Apple’s Xsan tools. The course also covers storage resource management and data protection. A combination of lecture and hands-on exercises provides practical real-world experience. A portion of the final class day is available for assisted exploration and scenario testing. Extensive project planning and documentation forms are provided for students to take the skills learned in class and implement them in their particular environment.

Who should attend?

This class is for video storage professionals, system administrators, network engineers, analysts, and IT professionals who are responsible for analyzing business and technical requirements and architecting, implementing, or maintaining storage networking solutions using the Xsan solution.

Prerequisites

Students should have the following prerequisite knowledge prior to attending the course:

• Basic storage knowledge
• Basic networking fundamentals
• Networks and layers
• Network communication
• Network devices
• Server basics
• Understand server services
• Basic file-serving knowledge

These prerequisites can be met by studying the same training courses or technical books that will prepare you to take the CompTIA Network+ and i-Net+ exams. By studying these materials, you will be well-positioned to earn Network+ and i-Net+ certification in addition to qualifying for entrance to the Apple Certified System Administrator (ACSA) certification courses.

Certification

Demonstrate your knowledge by taking the Xsan Administration v1.4 exam (9L0-616) — US$150.

This exam covers the knowledge necessary to configure and maintain all Apple software and hardware components necessary for an Xsan cluster file system. For specific exam objectives, see the Skills Assessment Guide and Sample Test for the Xsan Administration v1.4 Exam.

Successful completion of the exam earns Apple Xsan Administration certification and also contributes 3 credits toward Apple Certified System Administrator (ACSA) certification.

To register for the exam, call Prometric toll-free at 888-APL-EXAM (888-275-3926) or register online at www.prometric.com/apple. You are required to have an Apple Tech ID number before registering for any Apple exam. You can apply for a Tech ID by following the instructions at certifications.apple.com.

Course Outline

Topic	Description
Chapter 1 Introduction	Overview of topics presented in the course.
Chapter 2 Xsan Concepts	Provides key foundational knowledge of the fundamental technologies used in building an Xsan system.
Chapter 3 Xsan Components and Connections	Covers the hardware components and connections necessary for Xsan, including Fibre Channel HBAs, cabling and connector types, switches, and RAID sets.
Chapter 4 Xsan Configuration	Provides experience with the creation of an initial Xsan volume and optimizing of RAID controller settings for use with the Xsan file system. The first of three volumes is constructed in this chapter.
Chapter 5 Xsan Metadata	Details the implementation of metadata on an Xsan volume. Illustrates the methods and functions of communication that occur between clients and controllers in an Xsan deployment as well as the configuring of roles and labeling of LUNs.
Chapter 6 Xsan Volumes	Details the process for the creation, configuration, and activation of Xsan volumes and storage pools. Students also gain experience implementing Metadata Controller failover. The second of three volumes is constructed in this chapter.
Chapter 7 Data Management	Provides an introduction to various techniques and technologies that can be used to manage access to data stored on an Xsan volume. Topics include user account management, permissions, access control lists, quotas, affinities, and backup using information life-cycle strategies.
Chapter 8 Maintenance and Troubleshooting	Covers tools, techniques, and strategies for maintaining and troubleshooting an Xsan deployment. Topics include measuring volume performance, adding capacity, notifications, documentation, command line tools, and proper startup and shutdown of the Xsan system.
Chapter 9 Planning	Details important requirements necessary for planning a successful Xsan deployment. Students will be provided with a scenario that defines a set of requirements and gain experience with tools to help them plan an effective and successful Xsan deployment.
Chapter 10 Deployment Challenge	Challenges the students to use the knowledge gained in this course to create an Xsan deployment that combines all of the knowledge, tools, and techniques that they learned throughout the course. The third of three volumes will be constructed in this chapter.