Zoning In a storage area network (SAN), zoning is the allocation of resources for device load balancing and for

selectively allowing access to data only to certain users. Essentially, zoning allows an administrator to control who can see what in a SAN. Zoning is done using a structure similar to that of a computer file system. A zone is the equivalent of a folder or directory. Zoning can be either hard or soft. In hard zoning, each device is assigned to a particular zone, and this assignment does not change. In soft zoning, device assignments can be changed by the network administrator to accommodate variations in the demands on different servers in the network. The user of zoning is said to minimize the risk of data corruption, help secure data against hackers, slow the spread of viruses and worms, and minimize the time necessary for servers to reboot. However, zoning can complicate the scaling process if the number of users and servers in a SAN increases significantly in a short period of time.

Steps to Zone Brocade Switch

1. Plug in the FC Connector into an open port on the switch. 2. Login to the server and verify the HBA connection. It should see the

switch but not the storage device. 3. Login to the Brocade Switch GUI interface. Youll need Java enabled on your browser. 4. Check the Brocade Switch Port. 1. On the visual depiction of the switch, click on the port where you plugged in the FC connector. 2. The Port Administration Services screen should pop up. Youll need to enable the pop-up. 3. Verify that the Port Status is Online. Note the port number. 4. Close the Port Administration Services screen. 5. Find the WWN of your new device 1. Navigate back to the original GUI page. 2. Select Zone Admin, an icon on the bottom left of the screen. It looks like two squares and a rectangle. 3. Expand the Ports & Attaching Devices under the Member Selection List. 4. Expand the appropriate port number. Note the attached WWN. 6. Create a new alias for this device 1. Click New Alias button 2. Follow menu instructions 7. Add the appropriate WWN to the alias 1. Select your new device name from the Name drop down menu 2. Expand the WWNs under Member Selection List 3. Highlight the appropriate WWN 4. Select Add Member 8. Add the alias to the appropriate zone 1. Select the Zone tab 2. Select the appropriate zone from the Name drop down menu 3. Select the appropriate alias from the Member Selection List 4. Click Add Member 9. Ensure that the zone is in Zone Config in the Zone Config tab 10. Save your changes by selecting ZoningActions -> Enable Config 11. Login back in to the server to verify. It should now see the storage devices.