Deployment Guide

Figure 1. Example of switch zoning on SAN on MD38xxf-series Fibre-Channel storage array
World Wide Name zoning
There are several different switch zoning techniques used across various SANs. When configuring zoning with your storage
array, using a 64 bit World Wide Name (WWN) to uniquely identify each component in your Fibre Channel switch fabric is
recommended. An advantage of using WWN port zoning (also called soft zoning) is that it allows you to remove and/or replace
cabling to and from the fabric without reconfiguring the existing zone logic.
When implemented on the Fibre Channel switch, port WWN zoning causes the host server to query the World Wide Identifier
(WWID) name of all attached physical disks and/or expansion enclosures each time it accesses the switch fabric. By zoning
specific ports on the host server(s), switch and storage array together, the switch allows the host server to see only devices
included in that zone, decreasing the amount of time it would otherwise take for the host server to query attached, but
out-of-zone, devices.
Switch zoning guidelines
The storage array imposes specific requirements that must be followed when setting up Fibre Channel switch zoning:
● If a Fibre Channel switch is used to connect your host server and storage array, it must be zoned. Unzoned or open switches
cannot be used.
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Hardware installation