Apple quietly posted a press release that finally explains what will happen to Java on Mac OS X (which Final Cut Server depends on for its client). They're opening it up in collaboration with Oracle and IBM.

Mac OS X 10.6.5 was released today. There were four fixes mentioned in the release notes relevant to Xsan and enterprise:

• Improves performance for users bound to an Active Directory domain.
• Improves reliability of Ethernet connections.
• Systems with a Mac Pro RAID Card (Early 2009) installed can now be put to sleep.
• Improves reliability of fibre channel connections, resolving a potential Xsan volume availability issue.

This update is available via Software Update. More information is available at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4250

Also available are updates to Mac OS X Server and Server Admin. (There are surprisingly copious notes for an OS update. Enjoy!)

There are several organized responses brewing about the Xserve EOL. Here are those I know of. Please add more in the comments...

• Dave Schroeder of University of Wisconsin-Madison and MacEnterprise has created an Open Letter to Apple. Please share.
• Matthias Jakob has created www.xserve-petition.com.
• The Enterprise Desktop Alliance has put out a survey about the transition.

[Update] A commenter informed us of another petition at www.savethexserve.com.

Quantum Corp., maker of StorNext, has sent out a response to the Xserve EOL announcement.

Dear Quantum StorNext Customers and Partners:

Apple customers and partners represent a large and vibrant segment of our Quantum StorNext community. Since the Apple announcement on November 5, customers, press, and partners have expressed concern over Apple's decision to end of life Xserve. There has been much speculation over what this announcement means for the future of Mac OS, of XSAN and of the Apple data stored in StorNext.

The announcement Apple made was to end-of life a hardware platform. There was no indication of any changes in XSAN or Mac OS. And while Quantum cannot speak for Apple, we can state unequivocally that this announcement has no bearing on Quantum’s continued support of Apple XSAN and StorNext in the marketplace.

For more information, please read this FAQ

Regards,
Janae Lee, SVP Disk and Software

The FAQ is attached after the break.

Please submit comments in this forum thread...

With the end of the Xserve some of us are considering a few small repairs to the way we operate. Please use this thread to brainstorm new ideas. Perhaps the best (or easiest!) will turn into permanent features on Xsanity.

Here are some ideas to kick this off.

In its infancy, Xsanity helped define the standard Xsan install that we know so well: two Xserves, QLogic, Xserve RAID, Open Directory, DNS, Clients. What will the Mac SAN of the future look like? Would a wiki help us define this?

Is the standard MDC of the future a Linux box? I remember an O'Reilly book called "Mac for Unix Geeks." Is it time for a "Unix for Mac Geeks?" Where do you get training for this?

Please comment and add your own ideas..

Apple announced today that their venerable Xserve will no longer be available for purchase after January 31, 2011. They will not be producing a new Xserve version either. They have posted a transition guide to promote Mac Pro and Mac mini Server alternatives.

Discussion continues in a forum thread within...

Update: Today Apple announced a Mac Pro Server for $2,999. While not quite an Xserve, the bundle does represent a $500 discount from a similarly configured Mac Pro. (Disclaimer: My employer sells these.)

Update 2: There are already 50 contributions to the discussion. Please continue to weigh in.

Update 3: I've asked Apple PR to make a statement on the effect on Xsan and OS X Server.

Apple has released today an article named "ACEs on Xsan volumes may appear as hexadecimal code"

This article addresses two common issues with Xsan :

• Local users appearing as hexadecimal codes on other clients
• How to delay the mounting of the Xsan volume

The second is very interesting. Sometimes, the Xsan volume mounts before the open directory master is available, resulting in incorrect ACE. A workaround would be to unmount and remount the volume. Here Apple provides a nice ruby script.

You can check this here : Xsan 2: ACEs on Xsan volumes may appear as hexadecimal code

Hope we'll have another script to delay the start of services such as iCal and AB.