Zoning design

[lim meng kiat]

Hi all,

In what case the zoning needed to implement? Is it when there is multi connection out from MSA ?Let say if i only got 1 fiber out from MSA 1000;2 server with each 2 Fiber Channel connect to SAN switch, do i still need to do the zoning configuration on SAN switch ?

Thank you for those helpers here :)

[Shrivastava Nitin]

Hi Lim,

Implementation of zone is highly recommended on any SAN switch. ( Though few SAN switch is it mandatory for it to work).
hence to answer you queries,
Almost in every case zoning should be implemented.
Yes, zoning configuration is highly recommended on the scenario that you have explained.
The best way to zone is to have one initiator and multiple targets to be part of one zone. hence in you scenario you need 2 zones, one for each host on each of your switches.

[IBaltay]

Hi,
zoning is giving us the IO isolation (e.g. host/storage from host/tape) and security even to the small environment,
you could see the Brocade guide to
understanding zoning:
http://www.brocadekorea.com/download/resource/53_0000213_01.pdf

[Dileep..]

Refer below link for zoning . Zoning is very improtant while you have tape libraries / different OS in the the fabric. It basically to stop interference between different devices / hosts.

Its always recommended to create seperate zones for tape libraries / different OS's.

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bc/docs/support/SupportManual/c00403562/c00403562.pdf?jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

[lim meng kiat]

Thank for all the reply here...
My problem is :
- 1 Brocade SAN switch
- 1 MSA 1000 FC
- 2 old server 2003 performing clustering
- 2 new server 2008 performing clustering
- create old zone for 2 old server & MSA 1000FC
- create new zone for 2 new server & MSA 1000FC

Is it my design is validate? I refer to Brocade engineer & according to them this is even configuration on SAN design since only 1 FC from MSA 1000.

[Dileep..]

Whatever you mentioned is not the the best practice.

I would recommend to create zone for each Server/ HBA.

Example :
1)If you have 2 HBA on first server , then create two seperate zones for each HBA and add MSA1000 to that. Like wise do it for second server. So each server will have 2 zones.

2) If you have single HBA on servers then create seperate zone for each server then add MSA1000 to that. Each server will single zone.

Basically create seperate zone for each Initiator (HBA).

Hops this will clarify your confusion.

[lim meng kiat]

the server with 2 HBA is for fail over purpose. if 1 create 2 zone for both HBA , will it get problem for it ?

[Dileep..]

Adding multiple HBA to single zone is not recommended. its the very basic zoning style by Operating System.

You may create as below

Serve1_HBA1,MSA1000 >> Zone1
Serve1_HBA2,MSA1000 >> Zone2

Serve2_HBA1,MSA1000 >> Zone3
Serve2_HBA2,MSA1000 >> Zone4

Rgds