Hybrid fibre channel storage with end-to-end storage provisioning and external connectivity in a storage area network environment

Non-transitory media encoding logic that includes instructions for execution, which when executed by a processor is operable to perform operations, comprising:

• partitioning a SAN into an internal VSAN for connectivity to an internal storage element, wherein a first portion of the SAN is implemented in a UCS and a second portion of the SAN is external to the UCS, wherein the internal storage element is located in the first portion of the SAN;
• partitioning the SAN into an external VSAN for connectivity to an external storage element located in the second portion of the SAN;
• and
• facilitating communication with the internal storage element over the internal VSAN and with the external storage element over the external VSAN.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a memory element for storing data;
• and
• a processor that executes instructions associated with the data, wherein the processor and the memory element cooperate such that the apparatus is configured for:
• partitioning a SAN into an internal VSAN for connectivity to an internal storage element, wherein a first portion of the SAN is implemented in a UCS and a second portion of the SAN is external to the UCS, wherein the internal storage element is located in the first portion of the SAN;
• partitioning the SAN into an external VSAN for connectivity to an external storage element located in the second portion of the SAN;
• and
• facilitating communication with the internal storage element over the internal VSAN and with the external storage element over the external VSAN.