Apple has announced the general availability of the Xsan 1.0.1 update. The 1.0.1 Update delivers overall improved reliability for Xsan and requires the use of Mac OS X or Mac OS X Server version 10.3.9. It includes improvements for:

• using the mv command to move files from Xsan (ACFS) to Mac OS Extended (HFS+) volumes
• saving files over 4GB via SMB/CIFS to an Xsan volume hosted on Mac OS X Server
• greater server stability when resharing Xsan volumes via NFS
• eliminating spontaneous metadata controller failovers that can result in slow file performance

To download this Update, please visit the website: http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/xsanupdate101.html.

For detailed information on this Update, please visit this website: http://www.info.apple.com/kbnum/n301211.

Not too long ago, I worked the night shift at my shop, for no reason other than my own choice. I loved sneaking in when no one else was around, dimming the lights, boosting the volume, and figuring out repairs and solutions on my own. And while the spooky late-night life had a certain lone gunman appeal, during the occasional wrestling match with a particularly stubborn problem, I wondered if a bit of formal training would be precisely the shortcut I needed to put a targeted symptom behind me. I suppose at heart I'm a closeted Good Student.

That in mind, it looks like Apple Customer Training has a few relevant shortcuts scheduled -- Xsan Administration courses in the months formerly known as Daisy Duck's nieces: April, May and June. A click of the "Show Schedule" button will tell you that the two April sessions are booked, while May and June are fair game.

For what it's worth, I attended a related-yet-different "Xsan for Pro Video Technician" course with Nick and Ron back in December in Boston, and found it invaluable. My favorite segment was an exercise where the instructors sent us out of the room, then broke various aspects of the working SANs we had built, then brought us back in to find and troubleshoot the problems. The effectiveness of a team approach really hit home -- each of our specialties carved away little pieces of the puzzle, and afterward, I felt much less intimidated about looking into our customers' problems.

So, click that "Add to Cart" button while you can. Initially, $2250 for a certification may seem high, but you'll likely need this kind of exposure to handle day to day maintenance. It may be a modest investment compared to a consultant's fee.