Fibre channel peer zoning
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorClaudio Desanti
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Techniques are provided for the creation of a peer zone definition for use in a Fibre Channel (FC) Fabric. The peer zone definition defines a peer zone in which two or more initiator host devices are each permitted to communicate with a target device, but the two or more initiator host devices are prevented from communicating with each other. In accordance with one example, a target device and of two or more initiator host devices connected to the FC Fabric are received. A peer zone definition is created, and the peer zone definition is transmitted to the switches composing the FC Fabric for enforcement.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- identifying one or more target devices in a network;
- identifying a plurality of initiator host devices in the network configured for communication with the one or more target devices via a switched fabric;
- creating a peer zone definition for a peer zone associated with the network, wherein the peer zone definition comprises a peer member list and a peer zone attribute having a parameter indicating that the one or more target devices are principal members of the peer zone, and wherein the peer member list indicates that the plurality of initiator host devices are peer members within the peer zone that are each only allowed to communicate with the principal members of the peer zone and are not allowed to communicate with other devices within the peer member list;
- and
- transmitting the peer zone definition to a Fabric Zone Server within the switched fabric for enforcement of the peer zone by the switched fabric.
One or more non-transitory computer readable storage media encoded with software comprising computer executable instructions and when the software is executed operable to:
- identify one or more target devices in a network;
- identify a plurality of initiator host devices in the network configured for communication with the one or more target devices via a switched fabric;
- create a peer zone definition for a peer zone associated with the network, wherein the peer zone definition includes a peer member list and a peer zone attribute having a parameter indicating that the one or more target devices are principal members of the peer zone, and wherein the peer member list indicates that the plurality of initiator host devices are peer members within the peer zone that are each only allowed to communicate with the one or more principal members of the peer zone and are not allowed to communicate with other devices within the peer member list;
- and
- transmit the peer zone definition to a Fabric Zone Server within the switched fabric for enforcement of the peer zone by the switched fabric.
An apparatus comprising:
- at least one network interface;
- a memory;
- and
- a processor coupled to the network interface and the memory, wherein the processor is configured to:
- identify one or more target devices in a network;
- identify a plurality of initiator host devices in the network configured for communication with the one or more target devices via a switched fabric;
- create a peer zone definition for a peer zone associated with the network, wherein the peer zone definition includes a peer member list and a peer zone attribute having a parameter indicating that the one or more target devices are principal members of the peer zone, and wherein the peer member list indicates that the plurality of initiator host devices are peer members within the peer zone that are each only allowed to communicate with the principal members of the peer zone and are not allowed to communicate with other devices within the peer member list;
- and
- transmit the peer zone definition to a Fabric Zone Server within the switched fabric for enforcement of the peer zone by the switched fabric.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.