Zoning In Brocade SAN Switch

Zoning In Brocade SAN Switch

Zoning In Brocade SAN Switch. We will discuss about zoning in brocade switch in details.Zoning is necessary to provide a secure path for SAN Host to access Storage Array. We will discuss how we can do zoning in brocade switch via command line.

Zoning in Brocade SAN Switch

Important Terms Brocade SAN Switch Zoning

Lets first some important terms on Brocade SAN switch zoning which is useful to understand the process
of zoning in brocade SAN switch.

What is WWPN in Brocade SAN Switch Zoning

WWPN stands for World Wide Port Name. Each port in SAN network has a unique WWPN. In SAN network port are identified by its WWPN. A WWPN is 64 bit address. Below is an example of WWPN
Ex : 10:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx

What is Alias Name In Brocade SAN Switch

Alias Name In Brocade SAN Switch are Human readable name of WWPN. As WWPN are 64 bit address and difficult to remember. SAN Switch admin provide a name for WWPN for easy reference.

What is Zone Brocade SAN Switch

Zone in Brocade SAN Switch are nothing but Group of alias member. These member are alias of Host WWPN and Storage Array WWPN.

Active Zone Configuration SAN Switch

Active Zone Configuration SAN Switch consists of Group of Zones in Active State. In a fabric only one Zone config can be in active state and the zones present inside it are effective zones.

What we need before Zoning Brocade SAN switch

Below are some of the information we need before we start ding zoning in Brocade switch

SSH Or GUI connectivity to Brocade SAN switch
Server Name For Zoning
Two WWPN  of Server HBA Port- Connected to each Fabric
Ex : Host1: 10:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx
WWPN of Front End Storage Array Port Connected to Fabric
Ex: Array_Port1 : 50:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx

Steps Of Zoning in Brocade SAN Switch

Once we have the above information. Below are the steps we need to perform. These are overall steps of zoning in brocade switch In next section we will see the CLI commands for zoning.

1.Check Connectivity of HBA Port To Fabric.
2.Create Alias Name For HBA Port WWPN and Storage Array Port WWPN.
3.Create a ZONE and add alias member in it.
4.Add the zone to active configuration zone
5.Save the active configuration zone
6.Enable active configuration zone

In some SAN network some additional feature are enabled for more security. Based on that the zoning may include more steps

CLI Command for Zoning in Brocade SAN Switch

CLI Command for Zoning in Brocade SAN Switch are executed by login to SSH or via Putty session on Switch. Below are the CLI commands of Brocade SAN switch zoning.

1.Check Connectivity of HBA Port To Fabric.
nodefind 10:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx
2.Create Alias Name For HBA Port WWPN and Storage Array Port WWPN.
alicreate “host1_hba1”,”10:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx”
3.Create a ZONE and add alias member in it.
zonecreate “zone1”, “host1_hba1; Array_Port1 ”
4.Add the zone to active configuration zone
First we need to find out which zone config in in active state using command.
cfgactvshow | more
cfgadd "activecfg1",“zone1”
5.Save the active configuration zone
cfgsave
6.Enable active configuration zone
cfgenable "activecfg1“

Today’s Question on Zoning In Brocade SAN Switch

Now a tricky question for you guys. Do research and let me know your answer in comment section.

What is the purpose of cfgsave command ?
What will happen if cfgsave command is not executed ?

Below is video on SAN switch zoning. Watch it Like it, Share It and subscribe the channel for more such videos.

          

What Is Zoning - SAN Switch Tutorial Part 2

What Is Zoning - SAN Switch Tutorial Part 2

This videos explains what is Zoning why we need zoning and what are the types zoning and difference between them In SAN Switch.

What Is Zoning - SAN Switch Tutorial Part 2

What is WWNN and WWPN ?

WWNN stands for World Wide Node Name and it a unique identification for each device or nodes connected in SAN network.

WWPN  stands for World Wide Port Name. If any devices like or SAN storage array in SAN network has FC ports on it. Then it will have a unique identification which is WWPN.

Each device in a fiber channel Network will have a unique WWNN for each vendor and the Ports under it will have WWPN.

What Is fcalias, device-alias and alias?

fcalias and device-alias are CISCO SAN switch terminology. The WWPN are hard to remember hence an alias name is created for WWPN for easy reference. We can use fcalias within a single VSAN but devices alias are span across VSAN.

Similarly alias is Brocade SAN switch terminology. We can use alias for easy reference of WWPN. It is a 64bit address which is unique to each vendor.

Why We Need Zoning ?

There are various reason for zoning. The most important is security. In a SAN network many devices are connected to SAN switch. In order to make sure that the traffic flows between the intended device we create zoning. Zoning provides a secure path between an initiator and a storage array.

What Is Zoning ?

Zoning is binding or grouping of initiator port and target ports which ensures flow of traffic between a particular initiator and target. Zoning involves 3 to 4 steps which is performed in SAN Switch.

What are the types of Zoning ?
In simple terms there are two types of Zoning Hard Zoning and Soft Zoning.In most environment soft zoning is used. Hard zoning is very rare but as its more secure then soft zoning it is used for highly secure SAN network.

Difference between Hard Zoning and Soft Zoning ?

In Hard Zoning Domain ID and Port number of Switch are used to do zoning but in soft zoning WWPN of the Port or fcalies are used for zoning. Hard Zoning is highly secure then soft zoning.

In case of Hard Zoning If any physical changes in SAN network like cable swap between SAN switches happens then rezoning needs to be done. In case of Soft Zoning any physical changes like cable swap between SAN switches does not impact anything.

Check out the below videos for more details and subscribe to You Tube Channel for more such videos.


                    

Basics Of SAN Switch - SAN Switch Tutorial Part 1

Basics Of SAN Switch - SAN Switch Tutorial Part 1

This videos explains a very basic concept of SAN switch. In later video we will discuss more on SAN switch.

What Is SAN Switch ?

SAN Switch is a hardware which have FC Ports. Host and Storage device are connected to it
It establish a communication link between host and storage device.

A Group of SAN switch is called as Fabric. Every SAN network has two fabric for redundancy. Popular Vendor Are Brocade and

Types Of Ports In SAN Network

F_Port: This is called as fabric port. This port is configured in SAN switch. This port connects to N_Port via fiber cable.

N_Port: This is called as node port which represents a target or host port. N_Port are connected to F port in SAN Network.

E_Port: This is called an expansion port. A port is which is designated an E_Port connects to the E_Port of another switch, to enlarge the switch fabric. This link is also called as Inter Switch Link (ISL).

G_Port: This is a generic port that can operate as either an E_Port or an F_Port.

Simple Architecture of SAN Network.

Below diagram show a simple connectivity of SAN switch in a Storage Area Network. This picture also shows the types of port in it.

Complex Architecture of SAN Network.

Below diagram show a complex connectivity and architecture of Storage Area Network.

Checkout out the below YouTube Video for explanation.