.Part 1 Architecture HP SAN Design Reference Guide 785351-001

Benefits
A Meta SAN:
• Allows fabric connections (without the need to merge fabrics), providing a high level of fault
isolation and centralized fabric management
• Connects multiple SAN islands (independent fabrics), enabling selective resource sharing
• Eliminates the need to move and re-cable equipment in different fabrics
• Allows connection of fabrics with the same domain ID and zoning definitions
• Reduces the impact of scaling limits for individual fabrics
• Increases levels of storage consolidation
• Provides centralized backup for multiple fabrics
• Allows higher level of fabric management and management consolidation
B-series Virtual Fabrics with IFR
The B-series Virtual Fabrics feature allows you to partition fabrics. You create partitions in the fabric
by creating logical switches within a physical switch and by creating logical fabrics within a
physical switch or across multiple switches. This provides a high level of isolation between Virtual
Fabrics partitions or logical fabrics, allowing you to view individual Fibre Channel subnetworks
in a B-series fabric.
The IFR feature allows you to configure devices in one logical fabric for access to devices in another
logical fabric. B-series Virtual Fabrics and Virtual Fabrics with IFR are included on selected 8 Gb
switches only.
Switch models and fabric topologies
HP supports Virtual Fabrics in either HP standard or customized topologies. You must follow all
B-series fabric rules. For more information, see “B-series switches and fabric rules” (page 91).
Benefits
Virtual Fabrics:
• Isolate fabric services and minimize fault propagation
• Allow multiple secure fabric partitions over the same physical infrastructure
• Restrict device access for improved control and security
• Provide selective device access and sharing using the IFR feature
C-series VSANs with IVR
VSANs are groups of switch ports from one or more C-series switches. Each VSAN has a unique
set of fabric services. Different fabric settings can be applied to each VSAN. This provides a high
level of isolation between VSANs. This isolation can be viewed as individual Fibre Channel
subnetworks within a C-series fabric.
The IVR feature enables you to configure devices in one VSAN for access to devices in another
VSAN. All C-series switches include the VSAN feature. IVR is an optional licensed software feature.
There is no need for additional hardware.
Switch models and fabric topologies
HP supports VSANs with all C-series switches in either HP standard or customized topologies. You
must follow all C-series and VSAN fabric rules.
For more information about VSANs, see “C-series switches and fabric rules” (page 123).
36 SAN fabric topologies