About Device Aliases
When the port WWN of a device must be specified to configure different features (for example, zoning, DPVM, or port security) in a Cisco MDS 9000 Family switch, you must assign the correct device name each time you configure these features. An inaccurate device name may cause unexpected results. You can circumvent this problem if you define a user-friendly name for a port WWN and use this name in all the configuration commands as required. These user-friendly names are referred to as device aliases. Device aliases have the following features:
- The device alias information is independent of your VSAN configuration.
- The device alias configuration and distribution is independent of the zone server and the zone server database.
- You can import legacy zone alias configurations without losing data.
- The device alias application uses the Cisco Fabric Services (CFS) infrastructure to enable efficient database management and distribution. Device aliases use the coordinated distribution mode and the fabric-wide distribution scope.
- Basic and enhanced modes.
- Device aliases used to configure zones, IVR zones, or port security features are displayed automatically with their respective pWWNs in output that you display.
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