SAS-2 Port and Address-based Zoning

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Abstract
The SAS protocol allows topologies of over 16,000 devices in a domain consisting of multiple host or client servers. To optimize the use of large topologies, zoning has been introduced as a mechanism to partition a SAS domain into groups with management controls for access between these groups. This white paper discusses the application and implementation of two zoning methods that can be used within a SAS storage system: port-based zoning, a bootable, hardware-oriented, and closely controlled partitioning method and address resolved zoning, a more flexible method that allows non-zoned devices, but is more complex to manage.

About PMC
PMC-Sierra™ is a leading provider of high-speed broadband communications and storage semiconductors and MIPS-Powered™ processors for Enterprise, Access, Metro Optical Transport, Storage Area Networking and Wireless network equipment. The company offers worldwide technical and sales support, including a network of offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia. The company is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market under the PMCS symbol and is included in the S&P 500 Index.

About the Authors
Tim Symons is a Principal Engineer and Storage architect at PMC-Sierra. Prior to joining PMC-Sierra, Mr. Symons was a Storage Systems Architect and Technologist with Adaptec Inc. (formerly Eurologic Systems). Mr. Symons has a Bachelor of Science (Honors) degree in Electrical & Electronic Engineering from the University of Plymouth, UK.

Rachelle Trent is a Product Marketing Manager for PMC-Sierra's Enterprise and Storage Division. She currently manages the Serial Attached SCSI (SAS) products for server storage system applications. Formerly, Ms. Trent managed PMC-Sierra's high-speed SERDES product line. Prior to her marketing roles, she was a Mixed Signal Design Engineer and was involved with designing high-speed analog interfaces. In 1996, Ms. Trent graduated with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Physics with first class honors from the University of Victoria. She received her Master's of Applied Science (mixed-signal design) degree from Simon Fraser University in 1999. Ms. Trent is a board member for the SCSI Trade Association (STA) and a member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

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