Device Access

Device Access

Consider device access needs within the fabric. Access is controlled by the use of zones and zone sets. Some zoning strategies include the following:

Group devices by operating system.

Separate devices that have no need to communicate with other devices in the fabric or have classified data.

Separate devices into department, administrative, or other functional group.

Reserve a path and its bandwidth from one port to another.

A zone is a named group of devices that can communicate with each other. Membership in a zone can be defined by switch module domain ID and port number, port Fibre Channel address, or by device worldwide name (WWN). Devices can communicate only with devices within the same zone. The switch module supports both hard and soft zones. A zone can be a member of more than one zone set. Several zone sets can be defined for a fabric, but only one zone set can be active at one time. The active zone set determines the current fabric zoning.

A zoning database is maintained on each switch module consisting of all inactive zone sets, the active zone set, all zones, aliases, and their membership. Table 2-1describes the zoning database limits, excluding the active zone set. Refer to the EFCM Basic Management Guide for more information about zoning.

Table 2-1. Zoning Database Limits

Limit

Description

 

 

 

 

MaxZoneSets

Maximum number of zone sets (256).

 

 

MaxZones

Maximum number of zones (2000).

 

 

MaxAliases

Maximum number of aliases (2500).

 

 

MaxTotalMembers

Maximum number of zone and alias members (10000) that can be

 

stored in the switch module’s zoning database.

 

 

MaxZonesInZoneSets

Maximum number of zones that are components of zone sets

 

(2000), excluding the orphan zone set, that can be stored in the

 

switch module’s zoning database. Each instance of a zone in a

 

zone set counts toward this maximum.

 

 

MaxMembersPerZone

Maximum number of members in a zone (2000)

 

 

MaxMembersPerAlias

Maximum number of members in an alias (2000)

 

 

Soft Zones

Soft zoning divides the fabric for purposes of controlling device discovery. Devices in the same soft zone automatically discover and communicate freely with all other members of the same zone. The soft zone boundary is not

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McDATA 4314 Fibre Channel Switch Module Installation Guide

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McDATA 4314 manual Device Access, Soft Zones

4314 specifications

The McDATA 4314 is a highly regarded Fibre Channel switch designed for enterprise storage area networks (SANs). This switch is particularly known for its reliability, high performance, and scalability. As part of McDATA's extensive range of networking products, the 4314 stands out for its ability to meet the demands of modern data centers, providing seamless connectivity for numerous storage and server devices.

One of the main features of the McDATA 4314 is its robust architecture, which supports up to 32 ports. This enables a flexible configuration that can easily scale as the needs of the organization grow. The switch is characterized by its ability to handle both FC-AL and FC-SW protocols, thus providing compatibility with a wide range of existing Fibre Channel devices. This versatility makes it ideal for organizations looking to enhance their existing infrastructure without the need for a complete overhaul.

In terms of performance, the McDATA 4314 supports high bandwidth requirements, with each port capable of delivering up to 4 Gbps. This high throughput is critical for data-intensive applications, ensuring low latency access to data stored on SAN devices. Additionally, the switch incorporates advanced technologies such as dynamic load balancing and intelligent pathing, which further optimize traffic flow and enhance overall system performance.

Security is a key consideration in any data center environment, and the McDATA 4314 addresses this with features such as zoning and masking. These capabilities ensure that only authorized devices can access specific data, safeguarding sensitive information from potential breaches. Moreover, the switch supports management protocols like SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), allowing for seamless integration into existing network management systems and enabling administrators to monitor performance and troubleshoot efficiently.

In terms of characteristics, the McDATA 4314 is designed for high availability, with redundant components that minimize downtime in critical environments. Furthermore, its compact form factor allows for efficient rack space utilization, making it a practical choice for organizations with space constraints.

Overall, the McDATA 4314 Fibre Channel switch provides a combination of performance, reliability, and scalability, making it an ideal choice for enterprise environments. Its advanced features and robust design ensure that organizations can maintain high levels of performance while effectively managing their storage networks. Whether supporting virtualized environments or managing extensive data storage, the McDATA 4314 is a valuable asset for any data center infrastructure.