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31-4
Cisco MDS 9000 Family Fabric Manager Configuration Guide
OL-17256-03, Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 4.x
Chapter 31 Distributing Device Alias Services
Device Alias Databases
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Zone Aliases Versus Device Aliases
Table 31-1 compares the configuration differences between zone-based alias configuration and device
alias configuration.
Device Alias Databases
The device alias feature uses two databases to accept and implement device alias configurations.
• Effective database—The database currently used by the fabric.
• Pending database—Your subsequent device alias configuration changes are stored in the pending
database.
If you modify the device alias configuration, you need to commit or discard the changes as the fabric
remains locked during this period.
This section includes the following sections:
• About Device Alias Distribution, page 31-4
• Committing Changes, page 31-6
• Discarding Changes, page 31-7
• Legacy Zone Alias Conversion, page 31-7
About Device Alias Distribution
By default, device alias distribution is enabled. The device alias feature uses the coordinated distribution
mechanism to distribute the modifications to all switches in a fabric.
If you have not committed the changes and you disable distribution, then a commit task will fail.
Ta b l e 31-1 Comparison Between Zone Aliases and Device Aliases
Zone-Based Aliases Device Aliases
Aliases are limited to the specified VSAN. You can define device aliases without specifying the VSAN
number. You can also use the same definition in one or more
VSANs without any restrictions.
Zone aliases are part of the zoning configuration. The
alias mapping cannot be used to configure other features.
Device aliases can be used with any feature that uses the pWWN.
You can use any zone member type to specify the end
devices.
Only pWWNs are supported along with new device aliases like IP
addresses.
Configuration is contained within the Zone Server
database and is not available to other features.
Device aliases are not restricted to zoning. Device alias
configuration is available to the FCNS, zone, fcping, traceroute,
and IVR applications.