Merging two fabrics

[hiteshthappa19b]

Hey Guys,

We have a situation where we need to connect switch1 with an existing core switch (fabric1 with other switches connected to it). Both switch1 and Fabric1 are in production and are required to be ONLINE at all times. (both sw1 and Fab1 have active production zonesets)

Here is the plan that we have so far

1. Connect ISLs between switch1 and fabric1 core switch and keep the ports offline.
2. Take backups of zonesets from both switch1 and Fabric1.
3. Take switch configuration backups for sw1 and core switch in fabric1
4. Bring ISL ports ONLINE on both sides.
5. Run zone copy command (zone copy active-zoneset full-zoneset vsan <vsanname>) on both sw1 and core switch.
6. Copy running to startup on both sw1 and core switch

Concerns:

Is there something we are missing or needs to be taken extra care off?
Is there a possibility that a new principal switch will be decided, if yes how does that affect our configuration?

Thanks,
Hitesh Thappa

[Walter Dey · Accepted solution]

Hi Hitesh

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/storage-networking/mds-9000-series-multilayer-switches/46202-zoning-switches.html

explains exactly what you intend to do !

Caution: The zone copy command deletes all fcalias configuration.

Walter.

[hiteshthappa19b]

Thanks Walter, the article certainly helps.

[thabiso.mathabathe1]

Hi Hitesh,

I trust you are well and have successfully completed the above project.

I am also in the process of this, however in my case switch 1 is a new Cisco 9148 without any zone config. and the Fab1 is the 5 year old Cisco MDS 9500 Director.

Anything I should expect out of the ordinary?