Merging fabrics and zoning

If you join two fabrics with an inter-switch link, the active zone sets from the two fabrics attempt to merge automatically. The fabrics may consist of a single switch or many switches already connected together. The switches in the two fabrics attempt to create a new active zone set containing the union of each fabric's active zone set. The propagation of zoning information only affects the active zone set, not the configured zone sets, unless Interop Auto Save is turned on.

Zone merge failure

If a zone merge is unsuccessful, the inter-switch links between the fabrics will isolate due to a zone merge failure, which will generate an alarm. The reason for the E_Port isolation can also be determined by viewing the port information. For more information, refer to ”Port Information data window” on page 98, and ”Show command” on page 178.

Zone merge failure recovery

When a zone merge failure occurs, the conflict that caused the failure must be resolved. You can correct a failure due to a zone conflict by deactivating one of the active zone sets or by editing the conflicting zones so that their membership is the same. You can deactivate the active zone set on one fabric if the active zone set on the other fabric accurately defines your zoning needs. If not, you must edit the zone memberships, and reactivate the zone sets. After correcting the zone membership, reset the isolated ports to allow the fabrics to join.

NOTE: If you deactivate the active zone set in one fabric and the Interop Auto Save parameter is enabled, the active zone set from the second fabric will propagate to the first fabric and replace all zones with matching names in the configured zone sets.

Refer to ”Managing zones” on page 58 for information about adding and removing zone members. Refer to ”Resetting a port” on page 102 for information about resetting a port.