HP StorageWorks 2.128 SAN Director Switch - Manual (Page 198)

198 Administering advanced zoning
Table 41 lists considerations for zoning architecture.
Table 41 Considerations for zoning architecture
Item Description
Type of zoning: hard or
soft (session-based)
If security is a priority, HP recommends hard zoning.
Use of aliases The use of aliases is optional with zoning. Using aliases requires
structure when defining zones. Aliases aid administrators of zoned
fabric in understanding the structure and context.
Security requirements Evaluate the security requirements of the fabric. If additional security
is required, add HP Secure Fabric OS into the fabric.
Interoperability Fabric If the fabric includes a third-party switch product, only WWN zoning
is supported. Other types of zoning, including QuickLoop, are not
supported.
QLFA zones Evaluate if the fabric will have QLFA or QuickLoop in it, and consider
the following items before creating and setting up QLFA zones:
QuickLoop Zoning—QuickLoop and QuickLoop zones cannot run on
Fabric OS 4.1.0 or later. However, Fabric OS can manage (create,
remove, update) QuickLoop zones.
QLFA—A switch running Fabric OS 4.1.0 or later cannot have a
Fabric Assist host directly connected to it. However, such a switch can
be part of a Fabric Assist zone if a Fabric Assist host is connected to a
compatible switch in the fabric.
Testing Testing a (new) zone configuration. Before implementing a zone, the
user should run the Zone Analyzer from Advanced Web Tools to
isolate any possible problems. This is especially useful as fabrics
increase in size.
Effect of changes in a production
fabric
Zone changes in a production fabric can result in a disruption of
I/O under conditions where an RSCN is issued as a result of a zone
change, and the HBA is unable to process the RSCN fast enough.
Though RSCNs are a normal part of a functioning SAN, the pause in
I/O might not be acceptable. For these reasons, HP recommends
performing zone changes only when the resulting behavior is
predictable and acceptable. Changing HBA drivers can rectify the
situation.
Confirming operation After changing or enabling a zone configuration, confirm that the
nodes and storage are able to identify and access one another.
Depending on the platform, you might need to reboot one or more
nodes in the fabric with the new changes.