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Active Storage Prepping Replacement for Apple's Xserve?

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Apr 12, 2001
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With Apple set to discontinue the Xserve in just a few days, a number of observers noted earlier this week that Apple's shipping estimates for last-gasp orders are listed as "April". While the reason for the over two-month delay in shipping is unknown, Apple representatives have simply reported that the company is winding down manufacturing and that the "April" estimate is a worst-case scenario.

According to 9 to 5 Mac, Apple is planning to redirect customers interested in Xserve/Xsan solutions to Active Storage, a company founded by former Apple employees who left the company after it discontinued its Xserve RAID offerings in early 2008.


140519-active_storage_teaser.jpg


Since the time of that report, Active Storage has updated its website with a teaser for an apparently new product set to debut on January 31st just as Apple discontinues the Xserve. The teaser image appears to show a rackmountable hardware unit, seemingly in a 2U form factor, covered with a black cloth. While the company has released no other information about the forthcoming product, it does appear as though Active Storage is preparing to fill the void left by the Xserve's discontinuation, quite possibly with Apple's blessing and assistance.

Article Link: Active Storage Prepping Replacement for Apple's Xserve?
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2011/01/28/active-storage-prepping-replacement-for-apples-xserve/
Is there any way in the world this could be a non-Apple product, licensed / authorised to use OS X server?
 
iZac said:
Is there any way in the world this could be a non-Apple product, licensed / authorised to use OS X server?
Click to expand...

That's the only thing that could make this as interesting an announcement as the teaser page indicates.

If so, WOW, and YAY, and awesome.
 
iZac said:
Is there any way in the world this could be a non-Apple product, licensed / authorised to use OS X server?
Click to expand...
I'm sure that's the first thing that pops into most people's minds. I think Apple might do it under very tight restrictions on the hardware, rack mountable form factor, no video card to speak of, etc. Maybe even with Apple pre-approving the hardware.
 
Maybe its a map of the N.C. data center stating that Active Storage is going to be aquired by Apple.
 
pesos said:
?
Click to expand...

vmware

unless we absolutely have to buy a 1u server for something it always goes on vmware

only thing we buy physical is database servers but we will probably start putting the smaller databases on vmware as well soon

an HP 2U server will handle 24 OS instances
 
I wonder if what's under the cover is an Xserve with just a logo and name change.
 
guzhogi said:
The school district I work for has a dozen or so Xserves which were 1U servers. We use them for Open Directory user accounts, web servers, helpdesk, and school administration server stuff (ie grades, locker assignments, class schedules, etc.). They work pretty well.
Click to expand...

you can buy 1 HP 2U server with vmware and it will easily handle all this

the power savings alone are probably a killer ROI
 
alent1234 said:
vmware

unless we absolutely have to buy a 1u server for something it always goes on vmware

only thing we buy physical is database servers but we will probably start putting the smaller databases on vmware as well soon

an HP 2U server will handle 24 OS instances
Click to expand...

Not everyone worships at the virutalization altar. VMWare is good for some things, but poorly for others... plus there's a big investment needed in terms of expertise, software and maintenance.

If your workplace made the switch, great, lots of places haven't, and some never will.
 
pmz said:
If so, WOW, and YAY, and awesome.
Click to expand...

Why for such a small vendor? Wouldn't it be better for Apple and IBM to work out a deal to license OSX Server for installation or virtualization on an IBM blade system? Or is Apple only after the market for customers who only want a couple OSX servers, but bigger than minis?
 
iZac said:
Is there any way in the world this could be a non-Apple product, licensed / authorised to use OS X server?
Click to expand...

cube said:
OSX OEM is the only thing that qualifies as solution!
Click to expand...

Erwin-Br said:
Why would Apple approve this and reject Psystar? (Wow, I actually had to look up their name from Google. Seems like ages ago!)
Click to expand...

I do not think Apple will ship OEM software.

And the difference I see between this and Psystar would be that Active Storage would be an Authorized Apple Reseller, and would be authorized to sell Retail copies of the Mac OS X Server Software along side their hardware.

They most likely will also add a clause in the User Agreement for the Server License to be distributed this way to hold back from others like Psystar from trying to follow the same path.

But this is technically what Psystar is doing right now. Selling the software and the computers separate.
 
I am very very interested to see what this is going to be. i hope its going to be that what we all hope it to be ......... a giant ipad that fits into a server rack :D
 
firewood said:
Why for such a small vendor? Wouldn't it be better for Apple and IBM to work out a deal to license OSX Server for installation or virtualization on an IBM blade system? Or is Apple only after the market for customers who only want a couple OSX servers, but bigger than minis?
Click to expand...

Apple started small, and it sounds like these are former Apple employees.

Probably a soft spot for them.
 
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