3 – Planning

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Device Access

3.4

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:

Separate devices that use different operating systems.

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.

Group TL_Port devices with targets and initiators to allow automatic discovery.

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 port number, port Fibre Channel address, or by device World Wide Name (WWN). Devices can communicate only with devices that are members of the same zone. 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 consisting of all inactive zone sets, the active zone set, all zones, aliases, and their membership. The SANbox2-8c switch supports the following maximum limits:

256 zone sets

256 zones

256 aliases

2000 alias and zone members combined

The following zone types define increasingly restrictive levels of communication:

Soft zone

Access Control List (ACL) - hard zone

Virtual Private Fabric (VPF) - hard zone

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Q-Logic SANBOX2-8C manual Device Access

SANBOX2-8C specifications

The Q-Logic SANBOX2-8C is a high-performance Fibre Channel switch designed for enterprise-level storage area networks (SANs). This product stands out due to its remarkable features and technologies that cater to the evolving demands of data center environments. The SANBOX2-8C is specifically engineered to optimize storage efficiency, enhance performance, and provide a robust infrastructure for various applications.

One of the key features of the SANBOX2-8C is its 8-Gbps Fibre Channel ports, which deliver exceptional bandwidth and reduced latency for critical data transactions. The switch supports a non-blocking architecture, ensuring that data can flow seamlessly across all connected devices without bottlenecks. This architecture is crucial for organizations that require high availability and reliability, such as those in the financial sector or healthcare industries.

Another significant characteristic of the SANBOX2-8C is its scalability. With support for multiple interconnectivity options, the switch can easily be expanded to accommodate growing storage needs. Users can integrate additional ports as demand increases without necessitating a complete infrastructure overhaul. This flexibility makes the SANBOX2-8C an attractive investment for organizations looking to future-proof their SAN.

Moreover, the SANBOX2-8C is equipped with advanced management tools that simplify network configuration and monitoring. Features such as automatic zoning and path management enhance the overall performance and security of the storage network. Integrated diagnostic tools help identify and troubleshoot issues swiftly, reducing downtime and optimizing operational efficiency.

The switch also incorporates cutting-edge technologies, including Quality of Service (QoS) capabilities that prioritize critical data traffic. This ensures that mission-critical applications receive the bandwidth they need, regardless of overall network load. Additionally, with support for virtualized environments, the SANBOX2-8C is well-suited for organizations leveraging cloud technologies or virtualization solutions, enabling efficient resource allocation and management.

Overall, the Q-Logic SANBOX2-8C is a robust Fibre Channel switch that combines high performance, scalability, and advanced management features. Its ability to adapt to dynamic environments while ensuring high availability and data integrity makes it an ideal choice for businesses aiming to enhance their storage networks. With these technologies and characteristics, the SANBOX2-8C remains a leading solution in the SAN infrastructure market.