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 ?

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