Table Of Contents

Standards Perspectives

Active and Full Database Distribution

Domain/Port Based Zoning

FC Alias Distribution

Vendor Specific Zoning Mechanisms

Name Server Support for Symbolic Names

Standards Perspectives

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This chapter describes common standards that relate to interoperability and it includes the following sections:

•Active and Full Database Distribution

•Domain/Port Based Zoning

•FC Alias Distribution

•Vendor Specific Zoning Mechanisms

•Name Server Support for Symbolic Names

Active and Full Database Distribution

To understand the definition and differences between active and full databases, refer to the Cisco MDS 9000 Family CLI Configuration Guide. The Fibre Channel Switch Fabric - 2 (FC SW-2) standard also includes some details about this topic.

According to the FC SW-2 standard, full database distribution is optional in both Merge Request (MR) and Change Requests (SFC). The standard also recommends not sending the full database information to prevent possible interoperability problems. (Refer to sections 10.4.4, 10.6.3 FC SW-2 Rev 5.4.)

Domain/Port Based Zoning

FC SW-2 and Fibre Channel Generic Services - 3 (FC GS-3) standards have a definition of domain/port based zoning. However, the Fibre Channel Methodologies for Interconnects Technical Report (FC-MI) standard prohibits this type of zoning, because there is no standard meaning specified for port number in the zoning section. Each vendor may interpret it differently, causing interoperability problems. (Refer to section 7.2.7.1 FC MI Rev 1.92.)

FC Alias Distribution

There is some confusion about FC aliases in the standards. The FC SW-2 standard, which is used for switch-to-switch zoning communication, defines zoning based on FC aliases. But the FC GS-3 standard, which is used for the inband management of zoning, does not have any details about FC aliases. This confusion may be resolved in future FC SW-3 and FC GS-4 standards.

The FC SW-2 standard mentions that aliases can be part of the full database, but should not be part of the active database. For example, FC alias definitions should be expanded in the active zone set. (Refer to 10.4.4, 10.6.3 FC SW-2 Rev 5.4.)

Vendor Specific Zoning Mechanisms

The FC SW-2 and FC GS-3 standards define some standard mechanisms for zoning, such as zoning based on port world wide name (pWWN), FC ID, alias, and so on. Each of these members are specified in <Type, Length, Value> format. Along with these standard zoning mechanisms, the standard allows some member types to support vendor specific zoning mechanisms. By this facility, any vendor who wants to support or introduce some non-standard zoning mechanisms can consume one member type from this pool and distribute the zoning information using standard FC formats.

When taking the above standard issues into consideration, the MDS 9000 switch zoning behavior varies between different interop modes and in non-interop mode.

Name Server Support for Symbolic Names

According to the FC SW-2 standard (Section 9.3.3, Name Server Objects), Port Symbolic Name and Node Symbolic Name are not mandatory fields in the small name server object. The MDS 9000 switch implements this optional field in the name server, as some HBAs use it to list firmware, driver or platform information pertinent to the HBA, driver, or host.