Abstract: A Fiber Channel Switch which enables end devices in different Fabrics to communicate with one another while retaining their unique Fiber Channel Domain_IDs. The Switch is coupled to a first fabric having a first set of end devices and a second fabric having a second set of end devices. The Switch is configured to enable communication by the first set of end devices associated with the first fabric with the second set of end devices associated with the second set of end devices using the unique Domain_IDs of each of the first set and the second set of end devices. In one embodiment of the invention, the first and second fabrics are first and second Virtual Storage Array Networks (VSANs) respectively. In an alternative embodiment, the first fabric and the second fabric are separate physical fabrics.

Abstract: The present invention describes various mechanisms which may be used for improving SAN device interoperability enforcement techniques implemented in SAN or Fiber Channel networks. In one implementation, the technique of the present invention allows a SAN to automatically enforce interoperability requirements between devices connected to a SAN by utilizing SAN zoning technology to implement one or more novel types of “smart” zones having different, customizable attributes. In one implementation, a first device and second device of the SAN may be automatically identified as being non-interoperable. The first device and the second device may then be included as members of a negative zone having a first associated negative zone attribute prohibiting communication between members of the first negative zone.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for receiving at a proxy device in a network, a login request from a source device, e.g., a Fiber Channel server in a server virtualization cluster, to access a destination device, a Fiber Channel storage array. The source device does not or need not have direct access to the destination device. A response to the login request is sent that is configured to appear to the source device that the response is from the destination device. The proxy device logs into the destination device on behalf of the source device to obtain access to the destination device. The proxy device receives first network traffic frames associated with a service flow between the source device and the destination device from the source device that are destined for the destination device. Information is overwritten within the first network traffic frames such that the first network traffic frames appear to originate from the proxy device when transmitted to the destination device.

Abstract: A Fibre Channel Switch which enables end devices in different Fabrics to communicate with one another while retaining their unique Fibre Channel Domain_IDs. The Switch is coupled to a first fabric having a first set of end devices and a second fabric having a second set of end devices. The Switch is configured to enable communication by the first set of end devices associated with the first fabric with the second set of end devices associated with the second set of end devices using the unique Domain_IDs of each of the first set and the second set of end devices. In one embodiment of the invention, the first and second fabrics are first and second Virtual Storage Array Networks (VSANs) respectively. In an alternative embodiment, the first fabric and the second fabric are separate physical fabrics.

Abstract: An Fibre Channel Switch which enables end devices in different Fabrics to communicate with one another while retaining their unique Fibre Channel Domain_IDs. The Switch is coupled to a first fabric having a first set of end devices and a second fabric having a second set of end devices. The Switch is configured to enable communication by the first set of end devices associated with the first fabric with the second set of end devices associated with the second set of end devices using the unique Domain_IDs of each of the first set and the second set of end devices. In one embodiment of the invention, the first and second fabrics are first and second Virtual Storage Array Networks (VSANs) respectively. In an alternative embodiment, the first fabric and the second fabric are separate physical fabrics.

Abstract: Initiators and targets in a storage area network are presented as virtualized devices by a virtualization engine. An initiator accesses a virtualized target as though it was accessing a physical target. A target accesses a virtualized initiator as though it was accessing a physical initiator. A virtualization engine performs port World Wide Name (WWN) and FCID mapping to allow continued access to virtual initiators and virtual targets even if a particular physical initiator or physical target fails and the secondary is made active.

Abstract: The present invention describes various mechanisms which may be used for improving SAN device interoperability enforcement techniques implemented in SAN or Fibre Channel networks. In one implementation, the technique of the present invention allows a SAN to automatically enforce interoperability requirements between devices connected to a SAN by utilizing SAN zoning technology to implement one or more novel types of “smart” zones having different, customizable attributes. In one implementation, a first device and second device of the SAN may be automatically identified as being non-interoperable. The first device and the second device may then be included as members of a negative zone having a first associated negative zone attribute prohibiting communication between members of the first negative zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that includes processing for providing multi-cast transmissions within a data network begins by determining, for a source virtual network, a list of downstream virtual sub-networks for multi-cast traffic based on a multi-cast routing protocol. The processing then continues by determining multi-cast group membership on as per downstream virtual sub-network, edge device, and port basis. The process continues when a data packet is received via the source virtual network. The processing then continues by generating a multi-cast session table entry based on the list of downstream virtual sub-networks and the multi-cast group membership. The process continues by establishing virtual connections between the source virtual network and edge devices coupled to virtual sub-networks identified in the list of downstream virtual sub-networks. Having generated the virtual connections, the processing continues by downloading the multi-cast session table to the edge devices.

Abstract: An Fibre Channel Switch which enables end devices in different Fabrics to communicate with one another while retaining their unique Fibre Channel Domain_IDs. The Switch is coupled to a first fabric having a first set of end devices and a second fabric having a second set of end devices. The Switch is configured to enable communication by the first set of end devices associated with the first fabric with the second set of end devices associated with the second set of end devices using the unique Domain_IDs of each of the first set and the second set of end devices. In one embodiment of the invention, the first and second fabrics are first and second Virtual Storage Array Networks (VSANs) respectively. In an alternative embodiment, the first fabric and the second fabric are separate physical fabrics.