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VSANs Versus Zones
S e n d d o c u m e n t a t i o n c o m m e n t s t o m d s f e e d b a c k - d o c @ c i s c o . c o m .
VSANs Versus Zones
You can define multiple zones in a VSAN. Because two VSANs are equivalent to two unconnected
SANs, zone A on VSAN 1 is different and separate from zone A in VSAN 2.
differences between VSANs and zones.
Table 16-1
VSAN and Zone Comparison
VSAN Characteristic
VSANs equal SANs with routing, naming, and zoning protocols. Routing, naming, and zoning protocols are not available
—
VSANs limit unicast, multicast, and broadcast traffic.
Membership is typically defined using the VSAN ID to Fx ports. Membership is typically defined by the pWWN.
An HBA or a storage device can belong only to a single
VSAN—the VSAN associated with the Fx port.
VSANs enforce membership at each E port, source port, and
destination port.
VSANs are defined for larger environments (storage service
providers).
VSANs encompass the entire fabric.
Figure 16-3
defined: zone A, zone B, and zone C. Zone C overlaps both zone A and zone B as permitted by Fibre
Channel standards. In VSAN 7, two zones are defined: zone A and zone D. No zone crosses the VSAN
boundary—they are completely contained within the VSAN. Zone A defined in VSAN 2 is different and
separate from zone A defined in VSAN 7.
Figure 16-3
Cisco MDS 9000 Family Configuration Guide
16-4
shows the possible relationships between VSANs and zones. In VSAN 2, three zones are
VSANS with Zoning
Physical Topology
AS2
AS3
Zone A
SA1
H2
VSAN 2
Zone C
SA4
H1
Zone B
H3
Zone D
VSAN 7
Zone A
AS1
SA2
SA3
Chapter 16
Zone Characteristic
on a per-zone basis.
Zones are always contained within a VSAN. Zones never
span two VSANs.
Zones limit unicast traffic.
An HBA or storage device can belong to multiple zones.
Zones enforce membership only at the source and
destination ports.
Zones are defined for a set of initiators and targets not
visible outside the zone.
Zones are configured at the fabric edge.
OL-6973-03, Cisco MDS SAN-OS Release 2.x
Configuring and Managing VSANs
Table 16-1
lists the
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