Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting a primary blade in a multi-module fibre channel switch with plural blades is provided. The system includes a state machine for sending exchangeable blade parameter(s) (“EBP”) to the plural blades; and determining if a primary blade flag is set. If the primary blade flag is set, selecting the blade with the EBP priority number. If the primary blade flag is not selected, then selecting a blade with an EBP priority number if the EBP priority number is less than a retained priority number.

Abstract: A method for routing Fibre Channel frames in a Fibre Channel system is provided. The method compares a cost associated with a pre-programmed preferred route when the pre-programmed preferred route has been pre-programmed to route Fibre Channel frames between a source Fibre Channel port and a destination Fibre Channel port; with a cost of at least one route for routing Fibre channel frames between the source Fibre Channel port and the destination port determined by using a standard Fibre Channel Fabric Shortest Path First (FSPF) protocol, and using the pre-programmed-preferred route to route Fibre Channel frames if the cost associated with the pre-programmed preferred route is lower than the cost associated with the at least one route determined by the standard Fibre Channel FSPF protocol.

Abstract: A method for entering fabric configuration in a fibre channel system for a multi-module fibre channel switch is provided. The method includes determining if a primary blade has been selected for the multi-module switch; sending exchange fabric parameters to internal ports of the multi-module switch; and processing principal switch selection events.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting a primary blade in a multi-module fibre channel switch with plural blades is provided. The system includes a state machine for sending exchangeable blade parameter(s) (“EBP”) to the plural blades; and determining if a primary blade flag is set. If the primary blade flag is set, selecting the blade with the EBP priority number. If the primary blade flag is not selected, then selecting a blade with an EBP priority number if the EBP priority number is less than a retained priority number.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting a primary blade in a multi-module fibre channel switch with plural blades is provided. The system includes a state machine for sending exchangeable blade parameter(s) (“EBP”) to the plural blades; and determining if a primary blade flag is set. If the primary blade flag is set, selecting the blade with the EBP priority number. If the primary blade flag is not selected, then selecting a blade with an EBP priority number if the EBP priority number is less than a retained priority number.

Abstract: A method for entering fabric configuration in a fibre channel system for a multi-module fibre channel switch is provided. The method includes determining if a primary blade has been selected for the multi-module switch; sending exchange fabric parameters to internal ports of the multi-module switch; and processing principal switch selection events.