The MetaLAN client software mounts a logical volume on your Windows, Mac, or Linux computers. It establish a virtual, yet persistent connection with the data center through one of the available MetaSAN and/or MetaLAN Servers.

All requests coming from LAN clients are distributed evenly among the available data masters, thereby preventing excessive burden on any given server. The throughput available to any given LAN client is the total throughput that can be provided by the sum of the individual data masters. You can easily add additional server nodes or clients without disrupting applications or service. This eliminates hotspots and I/O bottlenecks and results in optimal payload transfer between SAN storage and LAN clients.

MetaLAN leverages low-cost TCP/IP networking technology, but does not rely on any network file protocols such as NFS, SMB, or CIFS. MetaLAN uses block level transfer to move data across the LAN network, (in much the same way iSCSI technology does). This results in data being transferred in a format native to storage devices rather than applications and operating systems. Network efficiency increases, especially with applications that can take advantage of memory mapping techniques, (such as 3D rendering programs and certain databases).

MetaLAN enables heterogeneous Windows, OS X, and Linux clients, distributed across your facility, and connected to the enterprise LAN, to collaborate and gain access to your shared content. One license is required for each computer connecting to the shared storage.