Fibre Channel Routing
Fibre Channel Routing (FCR) connects two or more fabrics without merging the fabrics.
The FC router connects two or more fabrics through EX_ or VEX_Ports. The fabric that contains the FC router is known as the backbone fabric.
An edge fabric is a standard Fibre Channel fabric with targets and initiators connected through an FC router to another Fibre Channel fabric.
The link between an E_Port and an EX_Port, or a VE_Port and a VEX_Port is called the Interfabric Link (IFL). LSAN is a logical SAN that spans fabrics. An LSAN is defined by zones in two or more edge or backbone fabrics that contain the same devices. LSANs enable Fibre Channel zones to cross physical SAN boundaries without merging the fabrics while maintaining the access controls of zones.
An EX_Port is a type of E_Port that connects a Fibre Channel router in a backbone fabric to an edge fabric without merging the fabrics. The EX_Ports presents proxy devices representing devices in remote fabrics. An EX_Port in the FC router connects to an E_Port in the edge fabric.
A VEX_Port is a type of VE_Port that connects a Fibre Chanel router in a backbone fabric to an edge fabric over an FCIP tunnel without merging the fabrics. A VEX_Port in the FC router connects to a VE_Port in the edge fabric.
For Virtual Fabric (VF) enabled fabrics, only the base switch can be configured as the FC router. For example, EX_Ports can be configured only on a base switch for a VF-enabled switch.
In SANnav Management Portal, you can manage Fibre Channel Routing Management by selecting the Settings icon ( 
), and then selecting Network Configuration > Fibre Channel Routing Management, from here you can view all discovered backbone fabrics and connected edge fabrics, create new backbone fabrics, and configure Ex_Ports.
), and then selecting Network Configuration > Fibre Channel Routing Management, from here you can view all discovered backbone fabrics and connected edge fabrics, create new backbone fabrics, and configure Ex_Ports.Parent topic