Switch zoning for IBM FlashSystem storage systems
Switch zoning configurations for the IBM® FlashSystem™ system include fabric zoning, target port sharing, host splitting, and controller splitting.
The IBM FlashSystem system has no zoning limitations.
The IBM FlashSystem systems present themselves by default to a IBM Spectrum Virtualize™ system as single controllers with a WWPN for each port that is zoned to IBM Spectrum Virtualize. For example, if one of these storage systems has four ports that are zoned to IBM Spectrum Virtualize, the IBM FlashSystem appears as a system with four WWPNs. A given logical unit (LU) must be mapped to IBM Spectrum Virtualize through all controller ports that are zoned to IBM Spectrum Virtualize by using the same logical unit number (LUN).
The controller must be separately zoned to IBM Spectrum Virtualize ports for exclusivity requirements.
Fabric zoning
For robustness, each fabric zone to all the IBM Spectrum Virtualize backend port must contain a IBM FlashSystem storage system port from each controller.
Target port sharing
The IBM FlashSystem storage system can support LUN masking to enable multiple servers to access separate LUNs through a common controller port. Explicit zoning is safest. Otherwise, ensure separate exclusive zoning if you are using the default.
Host splitting
Host splitting can be used. For hosts that connect to IBM Spectrum Virtualize and the controller, IBM Spectrum Virtualize must have sole access to its LUNs. Explicit host connections for LUNs to IBM Spectrum Virtualize are expected to be used in this configuration.
Controller splitting
Controller splitting is supported. IBM Spectrum Virtualize does not need exclusive access to the controller. Explicit mapping is required for LUNs to give exclusive use by IBM Spectrum Virtualize. As IBM Spectrum Virtualize cannot detect any other use of the controller, performance might be affected.