This topic describes the zoning considerations for the SAN File
System.
Use the following guidelines to implement zoning for the SAN File System:
Because of the restriction on the number of LUNs the Metadata servers
can currently access, make sure you limit the number of paths created through
the fabrics from each metadata server to the storage to two paths, one per
host-bus adapter (HBA) port. Some combination of zoning and physical fabric
construction may be used to reduce or limit the number of physical paths.
Each fabric should consist of one or more switches from the same vendor.
Keep in mind that there is no level of zoning you can do on a SAN that
protects SAN File System systems from SAN events caused by other non-SAN File
System systems connected to the same fabric. Therefore, you should not create
fabrics that include traffic and administrative contact from non-SAN File
System systems. You can utilize VSANs to accomplish this fabric isolation.
When metadata storage and user storage reside on the same storage subsystem,
you must ensure that the metadata storage is fully isolated and protected
from access by client systems. With some subsystems, access to various LUNs
is determined by connectivity to various ports of the storage subsystems.
With these storage subsystems, hard zoning of the attached switches may be
sufficient to ensure isolation of the metadata storage from access by client
systems. However, with other storage subsystems (such as ESS), LUN access
is available from all ports and LUN masking must be used to ensure
that the Metadata servers are the only systems allowed to access the metadata
storage LUNs.
Note: The SAN File System user LUNs and SAN File
System metadata LUNs should not share the same ESS 2105 Host Adapter ports.
SAN File System clients should be zoned or LUN masked such that each can
see user storage only.
Specify that the Metadata server storage or LUNs are to be configured
to the Linux™ mode
(if the metadata storage subsystem has operating system-specific operating
modes).
For more information about planning to implement zoning, see the SAN
File System Planning Guide.