Joining Zoned Fabrics - HP 316095-B21 - StorageWorks Edge Switch 2/24 Planning Manual

Joining Zoned Fabrics

Directors and edge switches are linked through ISLs to form multi-switch fabrics.
In a multi-switch fabric, the active zoning configuration applies to the entire
fabric. Any change to the configuration applies to all directors and switches in the
fabric.
When fabrics attempt to join, participating fabric elements exchange active zone
configurations and determine if their configurations are compatible. If the
configurations are compatible, the fabrics join. The resulting configuration is a
single zone set containing zone definitions from each fabric.
SAN High Availability Planning Guide
— When a specific zone set is activated, that zone set replaces the active
zone set.
— If the active zone set is disabled, all devices attached to the fabric become
members of the default zone.
— All devices not included as members of the active zone set are included in
the default zone.
Default zone — The default zone consists of all devices not configured as
members of a zone in the active zone set. If there is no active zone set, all
devices attached to the fabric are in the default zone. For the default zone:
— The default zone is enabled or disabled separately from the active zone
set.
— If the default zone is enabled, all devices not in a specified zone are
included in the default zone and can communicate with each other.
— If the default zone is disabled and there is no active zone set, the zoning
feature is completely disabled for the fabric and no devices can
communicate with each other.
— All devices are considered to be in the default zone if there is no active
zone set.
RSCN service requests — Registered state change notification (RSCN)
service requests are transmitted to all N_Ports attached to the director or
switch when the zoning configuration is changed.
Broadcast frames — Class 3 broadcast frames are transmitted to all N_Ports
attached to the director or switch, regardless of zone membership.
Physical Planning Considerations
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