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3 – Planning
Multiple Chassis Fabrics
3-2 59021-05 B
Q
3.2
Multiple Chassis Fabrics
By connecting switches together you can expand the number of available ports for
devices. Each switch in the fabric is identified by a unique domain ID, and the
fabric will automatically resolve domain ID conflicts. Because the ports are
self-configuring, you can connect SANbox2-16 and other FC-SW-2 compliant
switches together in a wide variety of topologies.
3.2.1
Domain ID, Principal Priority, and Domain ID Lock
The following switch configuration settings affect multiple chassis fabrics:
Domain ID
Principal priority
Domain ID lock
The domain ID is a unique number from 1–239 that identifies each switch in a
fabric. The principal priority is a number (1–255) that determines the principal
switch which manages domain ID assignments for the fabric. The switch with the
highest principal priority (1 is high, 255 is low) becomes the principal switch. If the
principal priority is the same for all switches in a fabric, the switch with the lowest
WWN becomes the principal switch.
The domain ID lock allows (FALSE) or prevents (TRUE) the reassignment of the
domain ID on that switch. Switches come from the factory with the domain ID set
to 1, the domain ID lock set to FALSE, and the principal priority set to 254. Refer
to the SANbox2-8c/16 Switch Management User’s Guide for information about
changing the domain ID using SANbox Manager. Refer to ”Set Config Command”
on page B-26 for information about changing the default domain ID, domain ID
lock, and principal priority parameters.
An unresolved domain ID conflict means that the switch with the higher WWN will
isolate as a separate fabric, and the Logged-In LEDs on both switches will flash to
show the affected ports. If you connect a new switch to an existing fabric with its
domain ID unlocked, and a domain ID conflict occurs, the new switch will isolate
as a separate fabric. However, you can remedy this by resetting the new switch or
taking it offline then back online. The principal switch will reassign the domain ID
and the switch will join the fabric.
Note: Domain ID reassignment is not reflected in zoning that is defined by
domain ID/port number pair or Fibre Channel address. You must
reconfigure zones that are affected by domain ID reassignment. To
prevent zoning definitions from becoming invalid under these
conditions, lock the domain IDs using SANbox Manager or the Set
Config Switch command.