IBM 2109 - SAN Fibre Channel Switch Model S16, Service Manual

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Chapter 8. Zoning overview
This section contains an overview of zoning. For additional information, refer to the
IBM SAN Fibre Channel Switch 2109 Model S16 User’s Guide.
Zoning allows you to partition your Storage Area Network (SAN) into logical
groupings of devices that can access each other. Using IBM zoning, you can
arrange fabric-connected devices into logical groups, or zones, over the physical
configuration of the fabric.
Zones can be configured dynamically. They can vary in size depending on the
number of fabric connected devices, and devices can belong to more than one
zone. Because zone members can access only other members of the same zone, a
device not included in a zone is not available to members of that zone. Therefore,
you can use zones to:
v
Administer security
Use zones to provide controlled access to fabric segments and to establish
barriers between operating environments. For example, isolate systems with
different uses or protect systems in a heterogeneous environment.
v
Customize environments
Use zones to create logical subsets of the fabric to accommodate closed user
groups or to create functional areas within the fabric. For example, include
selected devices within a zone for the exclusive use of zone members, or create
separate test or maintenance areas within the fabric.
v
Optimize IT resources
Use zones to consolidate equipment, logically, for IT efficiency, or to facilitate
time-sensitive functions. For example, create a temporary zone to back up
non-member devices.
Figure 33 on page 86 illustrates three zones with some overlap. It also contains
devices that are not assigned to a zone, and are thus not active in the fabric if IBM
zoning is enabled.
© Copyright IBM Corp. 1999, 2000
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