Brocade Network OS Administrator’s Guide v4.1.1 - Manual (Page 172)

Approaches to fabric-based zoning (Continued) TABLE 31
Zoning approach Description
No zoning Using no zoning is the least desirable zoning option because it allows devices to have
unrestricted access on the fabric and causes RSCN storms. Additionally, any device
attached to the fabric, intentionally or maliciously, likewise has unrestricted access to
the fabric. This form of zoning should be used only in a small and tightly controlled
environment, such as when host-based zoning or LUN masking is deployed.
Zone objects
A zone object can be one of the following types: a zone, a zone member, an alias for one or more
zone members, or a zoning configuration.
Zones
A zone is made up of one or more zone members. Each zone member can be a device, a port, or an
alias. If the zone member is a device, it must be identified by its Node World Wide Name (node
WWN). If it is a port, it must be identified by its Port World Wide Name (port WWN). Port WWNs and
node WWNs can be mixed in the same zone. For LSAN zones, only port WWNs can be used.
World Wide Names are specified as 8-byte (16-digit) hexadecimal numbers, separated by colons (:)
for example, 10:00:00:90:69:00:00:8a. When a zone object is the node WWN, only the specified
device is in the zone. When a zone object is the port WWN name, only the single port is in the zone.
NOTE
You are not restricted from configuring more than 255 zone members. However, that figure is
considered a best-practices limit, and exceeding it can lead to unpredictable results.
Zone aliases
A zone alias is a name assigned to a device or a group of devices. By creating an alias, you can
assign a familiar name to one or more devices and refer to these devices by that name. Aliases
simplify cumbersome data entry by allowing you to create an intuitive naming structure (such as using
"NT_Hosts" to define all NT hosts in the fabric).
As a shortcut for zone members, zone aliases simplify the entry and tracking of zone objects that are
defined by their WWNs. For example, you can use the name "Eng" as an alias for
"10:00:00:80:33:3f:aa:11".
Naming zones for the initiator they contain can also be useful. For example, if you use the alias
SRV_MAILSERVER_SLT5 to designate a mail server in PCI slot 5, then the alias for the associated
zone is ZNE_MAILSERVER_SLT5. This kind of naming strategy clearly identifies the server host bus
adapter (HBA associated with the zone).
Zone configurations
A zone configuration is a group of one or more zones. A zone can be included in more than one zone
configuration. When a zone configuration is enabled, all zones that are members of that configuration
are enabled.
Zone objects
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