Tech For Dummies: Cisco MDS 9100 Series Zoning & EMC VNX Host Add A “How To” Guide" By: Eli Mercado

Before we begin zoning please make sure you have cabled each HBA to both switches assuring the host is connected to each switch. Now let’s get started …

Configuring and Enabling Ports with Cisco Device Manager:

Once your HBAs are connected we must first Enable and Configure the ports.

1. Open Cisco Device Manager to enable port:

2. Type in the IP address, username and password of the first switch:

 

3. Right-click the port you attached FC cable to and select enable:

 

Cisco allows the usage of multiple VSANs (Virtual Storage Area Network). If you have created a VSAN other than VSAN 1 you must configure the port for the VSAN you created.

1. To do this, right-click the port you enabled and select “Configure”:

 

2. When the following screen appears, click on Port VSAN and select your VSAN, then click “Apply”:

 

3. Save your configuration by clicking on “Admin” and selecting “Save Configuration”, once the “Save Configuration” screen pops up and requests you to select “Yes”:

 

 Once you have enabled and configured the ports, we can now zone your Hosts HBAs to the SAN.

Login to Cisco Fabric Manager:

1. Let’s begin by opening Cisco Fabric Manager:

 

 2. Enter FM server username and password (EMC Default admin; password) , then clock “Login”:

 

3. Highlight the switch you intend to zone and select “Open”:

 

4. Expand the switch and right-click “VLAN”, then select “Edit Local Full Zone Database”:

 

Creating An FC Alias:

In order to properly manage your zones and HBAs, it is important to create an “FC Alias” for the WWN of each HBA. The following screen will appear:

1. When it does, right-click “FC-Aliases” and select “Insert”, once selected the next screen will appear. Type in the name of the host and HBA ID, example: SQL_HBAO. Click the down arrow and then select the WWN that corresponds to your server, finally click “OK”:

 

 

Creating Zones:

Now that we have created FC-Aliases, we can now move forward creating zones. Zones are what isolates connectivity among HBAs and targets. Let’s begin creating zones by:

1. Right-clicking on “Zones”.
2. Select “Insert” from the drop down menu. A new screen will appear.
3. Type in the name of the “Zone”, for management purposes use the following format _ Example: SQL01_HBAO_VNX_SPAO.
4. Click “OK”:

  Note: These steps must be repeated to zone the hosts HBA to the second storage controller. In our case, VNX_SPB1.

 Adding Members to Zones:

Once the Zones names are created, insert the aliases into the Zones:

5. Right-click on the Zone you created.
6. Select “Insert”, and a new screen will appear.
7. Select “FC-Alias”, click on “…” box then select Host FC Alias.
8. Select the target FC Alias, click “OK”, and click “Add”:

 

 

Creating Storage Groups:

Now that we have zoned the HBAs to the array, we can allocate storage to your hosts. To do this we must create “Storage Groups”, which will give access to LUNs in the array to the hosts connected to that array. Let’s begin by logging into the array and creating “Storage Groups”:

1. Login to Unisphere and select the array from the dashboard:

 

2. Select “Storage Groups” under the Hosts tab:

 

3. Click “Create” to create a new storage group:

 

4. The following screen will appear, type in the name of the storage group. Typically you will want to use the name of the application or hosts cluster name.

 

5. The screen below will pop up, at this time click “Yes” to continue and add LUNs and Hosts to the Storage Group:

 

6. The next screen will allow you to select wither newly created LUNs or LUNs that already exist in other Storage Groups. Once you add the LUN or LUNs to the group, click on the hosts tab to continue to add hosts:

 

7. In the hosts tab, select the Hosts we previously zoned and click on the forward arrow. Once the host appears in the right pane, click OK:  

 

8. At this point a new screen will pop up, click YES to commit.

Once you have completed these tasks successfully, your hosts will see new raw devices. From this point on, use your OS partitioning tool to create volumes.

Ways of Becoming Cisco Administrator

Do you dream of becoming Cisco administrator? Well, it is the dream that majority of IT aspirants see. Cisco certification means excellent career and great pay. You will have the option of working anywhere and in any leading company of the world. In short, possessing Cisco certification is like dream come true for anyone. You can even opt for freelance work. The specialization of Cisco administrators is building, maintaining, providing technical assistance and troubleshooting Cisco networks. The work of Cisco administrator is challenging and the pathway of getting Cisco certification is also not easy. However, if you have a good brain and you really have zest for computer engineering, you can surely become Cisco administrator.

First step of becoming Cisco administrator is getting degree in information technology or computer science. Majority of employers demand bachelor’s degree, however, there are administrators who possess just associate’s degree. Your efforts should be acquiring as many Cisco certifications as you can. The most lucrative job applications are from Cisco Network Associates. A good experience in areas of general information technology and technical support in school is a plus factor for becoming Cisco administrator. Internship is also a good thing.

You learn different concepts during schooling such as infrastructure, networking and technologies. You need to master the tactics of hardware installation, server operating systems and windows client. Practical knowledge is more important than just education and certifications. You should have good communication skills as well as interpersonal capabilities. You should be able to work in large team. Possessing good analytical skills will help you in identifying the root cause of problem in network and in troubleshooting and solving that problem.

Cisco administrators have good job outlook. It is expected that jobs in this field will increase by 53% by the year 2016. The average salary is expected to be $84000. Hence, it is a wise decision to contact some computer training institute and start your training for getting Cisco Certification.