Basic Cisco MDS configuration

      8 Comments on Basic Cisco MDS configuration

As I laid out in my last post, these are the basic steps for the SAN configuration of a Cisco MDS series switch.  They are….

1.  Create the VSAN number you wish to use (1 is the default, not recommended to use the default for production SAN traffic)
2.  Add interfaces to your VSAN (just like you do with a VLAN)
3. Do any interface configuration needed on the FC interfaces (Just turn them on in most cases)
4. Verify the cabling and ensure that you have SAN connectivity
5. Create Aliases for WWNs (makes life easier)
6. Create required zones
7. Add members to your zones (I recommend using PWWNs)
8. Create a zoneset (I think Brocade calls this a ‘config’)
9. Add your zones to your zoneset
10. Activate the zoneset on the fabric

So lets walk through them one at a time and show the associated configuration.  I’ll use my same old color coding conventions.
-Insert your relevant information between <>
-Console prompts are shown in green

1.Create the VSAN number you wish to use (1 is the default, not recommended to use the default for production SAN traffic)
MDS(config)# vsan database
MDS(config-vsan-db)# vsan <new VSAN number>
MDS(config-vsan-db)# vsan <new VSAN number> name <VSAN name>
MDS(config-vsan-db)# exit

-Add interfaces to your VSAN (just like you do with a VLAN)
MDS(config)# vsan database
MDS(config-vsan-db)# vsan <VSAN number>
MDS(config-vsan-db)# vsan <VSAN number> interface <FC Interface>
MDS(config-vsan-db)# exit

-Do any interface configuration needed on the FC interfaces
MDS(config)# interface <FC Interface>
MDS(config-if)# no shutdown
MDS(config-if)# switchport mode <Either Auto, or a set type (E,F, etc.)>
MDS(config-if)# exit

-Verify the cabling and ensure that you have SAN connectivity
Your on your own here.  As with anything fiber, if you don’t have link, make sure you have the pair flipped correctly from SFP to SFP.

-Create Aliases for WWNs (makes life easier)
MDS(config)# fcalias name <name of the Alias> vsan <VSAN number>
MDS(config-fcalias)# member pwwn <WWN>
MDS(config-fcalias)# exit

-Create required zones and add members
MDS(config)# zone name <name of zone> vsan <VSAN number>
MDS(config-zone)# member fcalias <alias name 1>
MDS(config-zone)# member fcalias <alias name 2>
MDS(config-zone)# exit
(note: if you didn’t want to make aliases, you could use the keyword ‘pwwn’ rather than ‘fcalias’ and directly input the WWN)

-Create a zoneset (I think Brocade calls this a ‘config’) and add the zones to the zoneset.
MDS(config)# zoneset name <name of zoneset> vsan <VSAN number>
MDS(config-zoneset)# member <zone 1>
MDS(config-zoneset)# member <zone 2>
MDS(config-zoneset)# member <zone 3>
MDS(config-zoneset)# exit

-Activate the zoneset on the fabric
MDS(config)# zoneset activate name <zoneset name> vsan <VSAN number>

Conclusion
And that’s it.  It goes without saying, but save your config when you are done.

8 thoughts on “Basic Cisco MDS configuration

    1. admin

      While Im sure that there is some sort of technical difference, I dont believe there is actually a difference. I would assume that the FC alias is the alias created based on the FCID and the device alias is the alias created for device WWN. Does that make sense?

      Reply
    2. vasu kalahasthi

      hi actually there is a big difference between fcalias and device alias ,if we create a fcalias to pwwn it works with in the vsan only,if we moved this wwpn to other vasn it will not allow the same alias ,but we create device-alias for pwwn means it will work globally mean with in the vsan or any vsan within fabric.

      Reply
  1. Zack T

    The last few posts before this one and including this one have been extremely helpful in understanding how all this stuff works. I’ve worked with Cisco networks for a while but this is my first endeavour in fabric. Thank you!

    One question: Based on the information you have provided, would I be safe in assuming that assigning a fcid to a wwn is unnecessary? I see in my config that was originally set up by a contractor that there are several lines for wwn’s similar to the following: vsan wwn fcid dynamic. These lines are located under the fcdomain fcid database.

    Reply
  2. Ariq Ibne Aziz

    Hello Sir,
    im new with the nexus,currently working with Dell Complent Storage Sc4020 with Nexus 5548UP, there will be a DB server and Mail Server connected with the storage, now i have one Question.

    how will i get the Pwwns/WWNs ?
    Do i need to create 2 VSANs ? (1 for DB and One for MAIL ) ?

    Reply

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