Q-Logic 59021-05 B Multiple Chassis Fabrics, Domain ID, Principal Priority, and Domain ID Lock

3 – Planning

Multiple Chassis Fabrics

Q

3.2

Multiple Chassis Fabrics

By connecting switches together you can expand the number of available ports for devices. Each switch in the fabric is identified by a unique domain ID, and the fabric will automatically resolve domain ID conflicts. Because the ports are self-configuring, you can connect SANbox2-16 and other FC-SW-2 compliant switches together in a wide variety of topologies.

3.2.1

Domain ID, Principal Priority, and Domain ID Lock

The following switch configuration settings affect multiple chassis fabrics:

„Domain ID

„Principal priority

„Domain ID lock

The domain ID is a unique number from 1–239 that identifies each switch in a fabric. The principal priority is a number (1–255) that determines the principal switch which manages domain ID assignments for the fabric. The switch with the highest principal priority (1 is high, 255 is low) becomes the principal switch. If the principal priority is the same for all switches in a fabric, the switch with the lowest WWN becomes the principal switch.

The domain ID lock allows (FALSE) or prevents (TRUE) the reassignment of the domain ID on that switch. Switches come from the factory with the domain ID set to 1, the domain ID lock set to FALSE, and the principal priority set to 254. Refer to the SANbox2-8c/16 Switch Management User’s Guide for information about changing the domain ID using SANbox Manager. Refer to ”Set Config Command” on page B-26for information about changing the default domain ID, domain ID lock, and principal priority parameters.

An unresolved domain ID conflict means that the switch with the higher WWN will isolate as a separate fabric, and the Logged-In LEDs on both switches will flash to show the affected ports. If you connect a new switch to an existing fabric with its domain ID unlocked, and a domain ID conflict occurs, the new switch will isolate as a separate fabric. However, you can remedy this by resetting the new switch or taking it offline then back online. The principal switch will reassign the domain ID and the switch will join the fabric.

Note: Domain ID reassignment is not reflected in zoning that is defined by domain ID/port number pair or Fibre Channel address. You must reconfigure zones that are affected by domain ID reassignment. To prevent zoning definitions from becoming invalid under these conditions, lock the domain IDs using SANbox Manager or the Set Config Switch command.

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