Zone Configuration of Brocade

Back to: Brocade FC (Fibre Channel) Switches

Objects of a Zone

• Members: WWN (World Wide Name) numbers of HBAs (Host Bus Adapters), disks, and storage subsystems are given alias names called members.
• Zones: A combination of multiple members is called a zone.
• Configs: A combination of zones or a single zone is called a config. There may be any number of configs, but only one config can be enabled at a time.

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Types of Zoning

1. WWPN Zoning
   • Based on the World Wide Port Name (WWPN) of devices.
   • Each HBA and storage port has a unique WWPN.
   • Provides flexibility as zoning remains unchanged if a device is moved to another port.
   • Type: Hard Zoning
   • Example:
   zonecreate "Zone_A", "20:00:00:25:B5:11:22:33; 10:00:00:90:FA:55:66:77"
2. Domain, Index Zoning (Port Zoning)
   • Based on physical switch ports, identified by domain ID and port index.
   • Tied to the switch’s hardware layout.
   • If a device moves to another port, the zone must be updated.
   • Type: Hard Zoning
   • Example:
   zonecreate "Zone_B", "1,2; 1,5"
3. Mixed Zoning
   • Combines WWPN and port-based zoning.
   • Useful for hybrid environments where flexibility and physical port control are both needed.
   • Type: Session-Based Zoning
   • Example:
   zonecreate "Zone_C", "20:00:00:25:B5:11:22:33; 1,5"

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Zoning Enforcement

• Soft Zoning (Logical Zoning):
  • Restricts visibility by limiting the devices a host can see.
  • Does not enforce access at the hardware level.
  • Devices can bypass soft zoning using manual configuration, which makes it less secure.
• Hard Zoning (Physical Zoning):
  • Enforced at the ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) level.
  • Ensures devices can only communicate if they are part of the same zone.
  • Provides strict access control, enhancing security.
  • Examples: WWPN Zoning, Domain, Index Zoning (Port Zoning)
• Session-Based Zoning:
  • Used in mixed zoning environments.
  • Combines elements of both WWPN and port zoning, allowing flexibility for dynamic environments.

Brocade switches typically use hard zoning for secure and reliable fabric partitioning.

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Configuration in Fabric

• Defined Config: Contains all created zones but is not active.
• Enabled Config: The active configuration currently running in the fabric.
• You can create multiple configurations, but only one can be enabled at a time.
• Example commands:

cfgcreate "Config_A", "Zone_A; Zone_B" cfgenable "Config_A"

To view available configurations:

cfgshow

To check enabled configurations:

cfgactvshow