Matt Oswalt of Keeping It Classless comments:
I’m always on the lookout for ways to simplify the configuration of integrated systems through automation. I also currently work for a systems integrator, and I take any opportunity I can get to automate a process, a la “assembly line”, creating a consistent, predictable outcome.
One particular task that both integrators and customers alike are having to do manually is the act of Fibre Channel Zoning. For those that aren’t familiar, Fibre Channel doesn’t work in the same way that Ethernet does (i.e. Flood and Learn). In order to get two nodes to communicate over a SAN fabric, a configuration must be put into place to allow them to talk – roughly equivalent to a Layer 2 ACL. Each server’s HBA must be given permission to access a storage target on the fabric, which means that any time compute power is added or removed, this configuration needs to be revisited. This is a prime candidate for automation.
An in-depth look at the power provided by Schprokits. Jeremy may be on to something with this framework based on the conversations I’ve had in the past few weeks.
Read more at: Automating SAN Zoning with Schprokits
