Vsan, Fc zone, Fcoe – H3C Technologies H3C S5830V2 Series Switches User Manual
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VSAN
In actual applications, the data is insecure if the data of all users is transmitted in the same FC SAN. You
can divide one physical FC SAN into multiple Virtual Storage Area Networks (VSANs). In this way,
VSANs are separated from one another and provide independent services, enhancing adaptability and
security of the network and offering more effective services for users. For more information about VSAN,
see "
FC zone
The VSAN technique divides one physical SAN into multiple logical SANs. A VSAN, however, cannot
perform access control over the servers and disk devices (or the N_Ports) connected to a fabric. N_Ports
in the same VSAN can access one another only if these N_Ports register name services. This creates data
security risks.
Zoning can solve the preceding problem by dividing a VSAN into zones and adding N_Ports to different
zones for different purposes. In this way, N_Ports in different zones are separated to implement access
control.
For more information about FC zones, see "
FCoE
A data center using the FC SAN technology usually comprises separate local area networks (LANs) and
SANs. LANs carry traditional Ethernet/IP services, and SANs carry network storage services.
To provide services for LANs and use SANs for storage simultaneously in a traditional network, the
servers must use independent Ethernet adapters and FC adapters. In addition, the IP switches and the FC
switches are also independent and have independent network connections. Such a network needs many
switches, network adapters, and cables, and it brings high investments and maintenance costs and low
scalability.
FCoE was introduced to solve this problem. FCoE carries FC over Ethernet. In an FCoE solution, the server
uses an FCoE-capable Ethernet adapter, and the FCoE switch (FCoE forwarder) integrates the functions
of both the traditional IP switch and FC switch. FCoE reduces the number of network adapters, switches,
and cables, and the network operation and maintenance workload. In all, FCoE reduces the total cost.