Zoning - HP StoreOnce G3 Installation And Configuration Manual

5. Configure zones on the FC Fabric/Switch, if required. (See next section.)
6. The library device(s) should now be visible to the host. It may be necessary to perform a system
re-scan.

Zoning

Zoning is only required if a switched fabric topology is used.
Due to complexities in multi-hosting tape devices on SANs, it is best to make use of zoning tools
to help keep the backup/restore environment simple and less susceptible to the effects of changing
or problematic SANs.
Zoning provides a way for servers, disk arrays, and tape libraries to only see what hosts and
targets they need to see and use. The benefits of zoning include but are not limited to:
Limiting unnecessary discoveries on the HP StoreOnce Backup system
Reducing stress on the HP StoreOnce Backup system and its library devices by polling agents
Reducing the time it takes to debug and resolve anomalies in the backup/restore environment
Reducing the potential for conflict with untested third-party products
Zoning may not always be required for configurations that are already small or simple. Typically
the bigger the SAN is, the more zoning is needed. HP recommends the following for determining
how and when to use zoning.
Small fabric (16 ports or less)—may not need zoning.
Small to medium fabric (16 - 128 ports)—use host-centric zoning. Host-centric zoning is
implemented by creating a specific zone for each server or host, and adding only those storage
elements to be utilized by that host. Host-centric zoning prevents a server from detecting any
other devices on the SAN or including other servers, and it simplifies the device discovery
process.
Disk and tape on the same pair of HBAs is supported along with the coexistence of array
multipath software (no multipath to tape or library devices on the HP StoreOnce Backup system,
but coexistence of the multipath software and tape devices).
Large fabric (128 ports or more)—use host-centric zoning and split disk and tape targets.
Splitting disk and tape targets into separate zones will help to keep the HP StoreOnce Backup
40 Drivers, iSCSI and FC installation and configuration