New Features in Version 4.5

Shared File System support for fibre channel-connected Mac OS X clients
Users of 4.5 can now benefit from a Multi-user Write file system exclusive to TerraBlock. Any virtual volume formatted NTFS and set to Multi User Write can now be mounted with write access by Mac OS 10.5 and 10.6 clients. While you can also use HFS+ formatted volumes as Multi User Write, NTFS is recommended. Setting an HFS+ volume to Multi User Write requires that you install version 8.0.5.31, or later, of the MacDrive software on the Terrablock server(s).

Support for volume mounting in Mac OS X while applications are in use
In previous versions a system rescan was required to mount Single-user Write volumes on Mac OS X, causing previously mounted volumes to eject. This limitation no longer exists and volumes can be mounted while an application, for example Final Cut Pro or Avid Media Composer, is open.

New Features in Version 4.3

Shared File System driver
In previous 4.x releases, the Facilis Shared File System required an external fibre channel loop-back connection. In 4.3 that requirement is replaced by a Shared File System driver that is installed as part of the upgrade procedure. Prior to installing the Shared File System driver you must remove any external loopback connections. If you configured the loopback through a Fibre Channel switch you must apply a configuration file that does not include the loopback zone(s). Vacant ports that result from this removal can be used for additional client or server connections in the future.

Auto Mounting Multi-user Write volumes after client reboot
Multi-user Write volumes that were mounted on OSX or Windows clients prior to a client reboot will now automatically re-mount once the Terrablock Manager is launched.

Maximum number of active Multi-user Write volumes increased
The maximum number of active Multi-user Write volumes per Terrablock server has been increased from 64 to 128.

New Features in Version 4.2

Ethernet Support for Mac OS X through Facilis Shared File System
Any Mac OS X client (10.5 or later) connected to a TerraBlock licensed for the Facilis Shared File System via one of the supported configurations will have access to any volume designated as Multi-user Write. Ethernet clients now have the ability to launch the TerraBlock Manager and mount Multi-user write volumes. Ethernet playback is limited to the 1 Gb connectivity speed, so resolutions up to 145 Mb HD or uncompressed SD 8 bit are supported for Ethernet based Mac OS X clients.  The maximum supported aggregate bandwidth for Ethernet clients on a single Terrablock is 200 MB/sec, which requires a 4 X 1 Gb teamed Ethernet configuration on the Terrablock.

Windows 7 Pro Support
Version 4.2 introduces support for the Windows 7 Pro 64 bit OS, via Fibre Channel or Ethernet. 

New Windows File Migration Tool
A new more flexible user interface has been designed. 

New Features in Version 4.1/4.0

Ethernet Support for Windows through Facilis Shared File System
Any Windows client connected to a TerraBlock licensed for the Facilis Shared File System via one of the supported configurations will have access to any volume designated as Multi-user Write. Ethernet clients now have the ability to launch the TerraBlock Manager and mount volumes. Ethernet playback is limited to the 1 Gb connectivity speed, so resolutions up to 220 Mb HD or uncompressed SD are supported for an all Windows based environment.  The maximum supported aggregate bandwidth for Ethernet clients on a single Terrablock is 200 MB/sec, which requires a 4 X 1 Gb teamed Ethernet configuration on the Terrablock.

Snow Leopard Support
Version 4.1 supports Snow Leopard, version 10.6.2 of the Apple OS. TerraBlock Manager requires Rosetta to be installed. Mac OS X 10.6.2 does not install Rosetta by default. Choose the “Customize” option during installation, and enable Rosetta. 

Mount Point Improvements
On Windows systems, multiple volume mount points may now be set to the same drive letter if the volumes will not be mounted at the same time. Also, the Windows mount point will now default to Highest Available Letter (Z to A) instead of C:\Volumes. Any volume currently set to C:\Volumes will have to be reset if that is the intended mount point.

Facilis Shared File System for Windows
Users of 4.0 can now benefit from a Multi-user Write file system exclusive to TerraBlock shared storage systems. Any virtual volume formatted NTFS for Windows compatibility can be converted to a Multi-user Write volume without additional networking or client-side software installation.

Auto Format of NTFS (Windows) and HFS+ (Apple OSX) volumes
Windows and Apple OSX TerraBlock Manager now include an Auto Format feature that controls the process of volume formatting. This allows the administrator to create volumes and have them ready for use without entering Disk Management or Disk Utility, avoiding the chance of user error in partitioning and formatting.

Auto Mount
The Mount Properties feature includes a Mount Access setting for Windows and Apple OSX. Through Auto Mount, Windows and Apple users can set each volume to consistently mount either as Read or Write for their user account. This avoids additional dialogues and offers the ability to mount multiple volumes with various permissions at once. The Auto Mount setting is displayed in the user interface for each volume.

Use Drive Letter
The Mount Properties feature includes a Drive Letter setting for Windows. Through this setting, the user may determine a specific drive letter the volume will consistently occupy on the local workstation, or allow the Manager to choose the best drive letter starting at Z: and descending. The user may also mount volumes to the C:\Volumes directory on the system drive, and avoid use of a drive letter. This is default for all Tools volumes. The current setting is displayed in the Mount Point column.

Auto Update of Read Only Volumes
The former Facilis Mac Updater and ROUpdater for Windows applications have been replaced by menu options in the TerraBlock Manager. As long as the TerraBlock Manager is running, all Read Only volumes will be updated at a timed interval. This interval setting will persist through subsequent reboots. This only applies to Single-user Write volumes when mounted Read Only. Multi-user Write volumes on Windows are updated in real-time through the Facilis Shared File System.

Unmount all Volumes on Exit
Upon exit of the TerraBlock Manager, all volumes mounted under the current user account will be unmounted if the Unmount all volumes on exit setting is selected. This feature is useful for educational facilities, or any workstations that host multiple users with unique volume allocations.

Customizable Column Headings
The columns within the volume tab of TerraBlock Manager may be hidden or shown based upon the preference of the user. In order to allow more space for important columns, the user may decide to hide information like Server, Group, and Creation Date if this information isn’t necessary for daily use.

Expose Tandem Members By holding down the Shift key while selecting Refresh in TerraBlock Manager, all Tandem volumes will be broken out into member volumes.