Zone management in a multi-module fibre channel switch
View Patent ↗A method for changing zoning in a fiber channel fabric is provided. The method includes receiving zone date from a management module, wherein the zone data is received by a fiber channel switch; waiting for active Zone Set; and sending a merge request to neighboring switches. The method also includes: sending Zone Merge Data Start message to the management module; sending new zone data to management module; and comparing the new zone data with current zone data. The method also includes creating acceptance message for new zoning, wherein the management module creates the acceptance message.
1. A method for downloading zoning data from a management module to a first switch module in a multi-module fibre channel switch, the method comprising the steps of:
a management module sending an ACA message to the first switch module; and
the switch module sending the ACA message to at least a second switch module and to at least one external switch.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of determining whether all ACA messages have been accepted.
3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising the step of the management module sending zone data to the first switch module.
4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the steps of the first switch module sending an SFC message with zone data to the at least a second switch module and to the at least one external switch.
5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising the step of the first switch module sending an acceptance message to the management module.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising the step of the first switch module waiting for an Activate Zone Set command from the management module.
7. The method of claim 6 , further comprising the steps of the management module sending the Activate Zone Set command to the first switch module, and the first switch module sending a UFC command to the at least a second switch module and to the at least one external switch.
8. The method of claim 7 , further comprising the step of the first switch module sending an acceptance message to the management module.
9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising the step of the first switch module waiting for an RCA message from the management module.
10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising the steps of the management module sending the RCA message to the first switch module, and the first switch module sending the RCA message to the at least a second switch module and to the at least one external switch.