HP StorageWorks 2.64 Core Switch - Manual (Page 28)

Zoning Concepts
28 Zoning Version 3.1.x/4.1.x User Guide
Zoning Schemes
Zone schemes are the method in which a zone is established. A zone is established
by identifying zone objects by using one or more of the following schemes: the
switch and port, World Wide Name (WWN), or AL_PA. The zoning schemes are
defined below.
Zone Enforcement
Zones are either hardware enforced or software enforced depending on the
scheme that is used. When a zone is specified by either port number (area number)
or WWN, but not both, it will be a hardware-enforced zone. When a zone is
specified by both port number and WWN, it is a software-enforced zone.
Hardware-enforced zoning is enforced at the ASIC level with support from the
Name Server. Each ASIC maintains a list of source port IDs that have permission
to access any of the ports on that ASIC. Software-enforced zoning is exclusively
enforced through selective information presented to end nodes through the fabric
Simple Name Server (SNS).
Switch/Port Level Zoning A zone containing members specified by either
domain ID with port number or area number, or
aliases of <domain, area>. For information
about specifying ports and area numbers, refer
to
Table 2 on page 23.
WWN Level Zoning A zone containing members specified only by
device World Wide Names (WWNs), or aliases
of WWNs.
AL_PA Level Zoning Members of a QuickLoop are specified by the
AL_PA when zoned. Identification other than
AL_PAs in a QuickLoop cannot be used.
Mixed Zoning A zone containing members specified by a
combination of WWN and switch port number
or area number. Mixed zones are software
enforced through the fabric name server only.