Managing Virtual Storage Area Networks

This chapter contains the following sections:

About VSANs

A virtual storage area network (VSAN) is a dedicated virtual network that interconnects hosts and storage devices primarily to exchange SCSI traffic. Physical links in storage are networks (SANs) are used to make these interconnections. A set of protocols run over the SAN to handle routing, naming, and zoning. You can design multiple SANs with different topologies.

With VSANs, you can build a single topology that contains switches, links, and one or more VSANs. Each VSAN in this topology has the same behavior and property of a SAN.

In Cisco UCS Director, you can configure VSANs on the following Cisco network devices:

  • Cisco Nexus 3000 Series switches
  • Cisco Nexus 5000, 5500, and 5672 Series switches
  • Cisco Nexus 7000 Series switches
  • Cisco Nexus 9300 and 9500 Series switches
  • Cisco MDS 9100 Series switches
  • Cisco MDS 9500 Series switches
  • Cisco MDS 9700 Series switches

Note

For more detailed information about VSANs and configuration guidelines for VSANs, see the Cisco NX-OS Software Configuration Guides.

Creating a VSAN

    Step 1   Choose Physical > Network.
    Step 2   On the Network page, choose the pod.
    Step 3   Expand the pod, and select the network device to be configured.
    Step 4   Click VSANs.
    Step 5   Click Create VSAN.
    Step 6   In the Create VSAN screen, complete the required fields, including the following:
    Name Description

    VSAN ID field

    The virtual storage area network (VSAN) ID number within the valid range for this device.

    VSAN Name field

    The VSAN name.

    Enhance check box

    Check the check box to enable Enhanced Zoning to perform all configurations using a single configuration session. Enhanced zone enforces and exchanges the default zone setting throughout the fabric.

    Copy Running configuration to Startup configuration check box

    Check the check box to copy the running VSAN configuration to the startup configuration.

    Step 7   Click Submit.

    Deleting a VSAN

      Step 1   Choose Physical > Network.
      Step 2   On the Network page, choose the pod.
      Step 3   Expand the pod, and select the network device to be configured.
      Step 4   Click VSANs.
      Step 5   Select the VSAN to be deleted.
      Step 6   Click Delete VSAN.
      Step 7   In the Delete VSAN screen, complete the required fields, including the following:
      Name Description

      VSAN ID drop-down list

      The virtual storage area network (VSAN) ID that you selected for deletion.

      Copy Running configuration to Startup configuration check box

      Check the check box to copy the running VSAN configuration to the startup configuration.

      Step 8   Click Submit.