Method and system for creating and implementing zones within a fibre channel system
First Claim
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1. In a system comprising a first fabric and a plurality of devices coupled to the first fabric by Fibre Channel connections, a method for logically organizing the devices comprising:
- accessing a definition of a first configuration including at least one zone, each zone including at least one device as a member of the zone; and
responsive to the definition of the first configurations, restricting communications between the devices coupled to the first fabric;
wherein the step of restricting communications between the devices includes, responsive to a first device querying for an address of a second device, returning the address of the second device only if the first and second device are members of a common zone.
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Abstract
In a system comprising a first fabric and a plurality of devices coupled to the fabric by fibre channel connections, the devices are logically grouped to form configurations and zones. A configuration includes at least one zone, and each zone includes at least one device as a member of the zone. Communications between the devices is restricted according to the configuration currently in effect. For example, one device may be permitted to communicate with another device only if they are members of a common zone.
118 Citations
15 Claims
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1. In a system comprising a first fabric and a plurality of devices coupled to the first fabric by Fibre Channel connections, a method for logically organizing the devices comprising:
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accessing a definition of a first configuration including at least one zone, each zone including at least one device as a member of the zone; and
responsive to the definition of the first configurations, restricting communications between the devices coupled to the first fabric;
wherein the step of restricting communications between the devices includes, responsive to a first device querying for an address of a second device, returning the address of the second device only if the first and second device are members of a common zone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. In a system comprising a first fabric and a plurality of devices coupled to the first fabric by Fibre Channel connections, a method for logically organizing the devices comprising:
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accessing a definition of a first configuration including at least one zone, each zone including at least one device as a member of the zone;
responsive to the definition of the first configuration, restricting communications between the devices coupled to the first fabric; and
responsive to a merging of the first fabric with a second fabric, modifying the definition of the first configuration to account for the second fabric, wherein the step of modifying the definition of the first configuration includes;
determining whether the definition of the first configuration is compatible with definitions for configurations for the second fabric; and
responsive to a determination of compatible configurations, propagating the first configuration to the second fabric.
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5. In a system comprising a first fabric and a plurality of devices coupled to the first fabric by Fibre Channel connections, a method for logically organizing the devices comprising:
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accessing a definition of a first configuration including at least one zone, each zone including at least one device as a member of the zone;
responsive to the definition of the first configuration, restricting communications between the devices coupled to the first fabric; and
determining whether the definition of the first configuration is compatible with definitions for configurations for the second fabric;
responsive to a determination of compatible configurations, modifying the definition of the first configuration to account for the second fabric and merging the first fabric with the second fabric; and
responsive to a determination of incompatible configurations, segmenting the second fabric from the first fabric.
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6. A fabric element for use in a system comprising a first fabric and a plurality of devices coupled to the first fabric by Fibre Channel connections, the fabric element comprising:
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a plurality of ports, each port adapted to be coupled to a device by a Fibre Channel connection;
a storage medium for storing a definition of a first configuration including at least one zone, each zone including at least one device as a member of the zone; and
a logic device coupled to the plurality of ports and to the storage medium, for, responsive to the definition of the first configuration, restricting communications for devices coupled to the plurality of ports, wherein the logic device includes a name server for, responsive to a first device querying for an address of a second device, returning the address of the second device only if the first and second device are members of a common zone.
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7. A computer readable medium containing software for logically organizing a plurality of devices coupled to a first fabric by Fibre Channel connections, the software for instructing a processor to perform the steps of:
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accessing a definition of a first configuration including at least one zone, each zone including at least one device as a member of the zone; and
responsive to the definition of the first configuration, restricting communications between the devices coupled to the first fabric, wherein the step of restricting communications between the devices includes, responsive to a first deice querying for an address of a second device, returning the address of the second device only if the first and second device are members of a common zone. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A computer readable medium containing software for logically organizing a plurality of devices coupled to a first fabric by Fibre Channel connections, the software for instructing a processor to perform the steps of:
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accessing a definition of a first configuration including at least one zone, each zone including at least one device as a member of the zone;
responsive to the definition of the first configuration, restricting communications between the devices coupled to the first fabric; and
responsive to a merging of the first fabric with a second fabric, modifying the definition of the first configuration to account for the second fabric, wherein the step of modifying the definition of the first configuration includes;
determining whether the definition of the first configuration is compatible with definitions for configurations for the second fabric; and
responsive to a determination of compatible configurations, propagating the first configuration to the second fabric.
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11. A computer readable medium containing software for logically organizing a plurality of devices coupled to a first fabric by Fibre Channel connections, the software for instructing a processor to perform the steps of:
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accessing a definition of a first configuration including at least one zone, each zone including at least one device as a member of the zone;
responsive to the definition of the first configuration, restricting communications between the devices coupled to the first fabric; and
determining whether the definition of the first configuration is compatible with definitions for configurations for the second fabric;
responsive to a determination of compatible configurations, modifying the definition of the first configuration to account for the second fabric and merging the first fabric with the second fabric; and
responsive to a determination of incompatible configurations, segmenting the second fabric from the first fabric.
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12. A Fibre Channel device for use in a Fibre Channel Fabric, the fabric coupling a plurality of external devices, the fabric configured into at least two zones, where the external devices are allowed to exchange data packets only with external devices in the same zone, an external device querying for address information when coupled to the fabric, the Fibre Channel device comprising:
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a Fibre Channel port for receiving an address information query from an external device;
a storage medium for storing a first configuration including at least two zones;
a simple name server coupled to said Fibre Channel port and said storage medium for responding to the address information query with external devices address information only for external devices in the same zone as the external device providing the address information query.
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13. A Fibre Channel switch for use in a Fibre Channel Fabric, the fabric coupling a plurality of external devices, the fabric configured into at least two zones, where the external devices are allowed to exchange data packets only with external devices in the same zone, an external device querying for address information when coupled to the fabric, the Fibre Channel switch comprising:
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a Fibre Channel port for receiving an address information query from an external device;
a storage medium for storing a first configuration including at least two zones;
a simple name server coupled to said Fibre Channel port and said storage medium for responding to the address information query with external devices address information only for external devices in the same zone as the external device providing the address information query. - View Dependent Claims (14)
a CPU module; and
software executing on said CPU module to provide said simple name server functionality.
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15. A Fibre Channel network comprising:
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a plurality of external Fibre Channel devices; and
a Fibre Channel fabric coupling said plurality of external Fibre Channel devices, wherein the fabric is configured into at least two zones, where the external Fibre Channel devices are allowed to exchange data packets only with external Fibre Channel devices in the same zone and the external Fibre Channel devices query for address information when coupled to the fabric wherein said Fibre Channel fabric includes;
a Fibre Channel port for receiving an address information query from an external Fibre Channel device;
a storage medium for storing a first configuration including at least two zones; and
a simple name server (SNS) coupled to said Fibre Channel port and said storage medium for responding to the address information query with external Fibre Channel devices address information only for external Fibre Channel devices in the same zone as the external Fibre Channel device providing the address information query.
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Specification