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3. After the merge process initiated by Switch A is complete, Switch B initiates a merge process to all
its neighbors. This synchronizes Switch B's local database changes resulting from the merge to the
entire fabric.
4. Two 1-way merge processes can ensure data consistency between Switch A and Switch B.
NOTE:
Consistent active zone sets among switches can be achieved by a merge. Consistent zone databases
achieved after a merge, however, require all participating switches to be confi
ured with complete mer
e.
Zone merge rules
Table 5 Zone merge rules
Local database Nei
hbor database
Mer
e status
Mer
e result
The zone databases contain zone sets with the same
name, but zones in these zone sets have different
names.
Successful
The union of the local database
and neighbor database. Zone sets
with the same name are merged.
The zone databases contain zone sets with different
names.
Successful
The union of the local database
and neighbor database. All zone
sets with different names are
retained.
The zone databases contain zones or zone aliases
with different names.
Successful
The union of the local database
and neighbor database. All zone
sets or zone aliases with different
names are retained.
The zone databases contain zones or zone aliases
with the same name, but one or more of these zones
or zone aliases have one or more different zone
members.
Failed
Both databases remain
unchanged.
Empty Contain data Successful
The neighbor database overwrites
the local database.
Contain data Empty Successful
The local database overwrites the
neighbor database.
NOTE:
• If two active zone sets have different names, the larger name obtained by string comparison acts as the
name of the active zone set after merging.
• If the active zone sets on two switches fail to merge, the two switches isolate their connecting link by
bringing down the relevant ports in the VSAN, in addition to keepin
their zone databases unchan
ed.
Zone merge in enhanced zoning mode
Enhanced zoning has the following differences from basic zoning in zone merge:
• Enhanced zoning always performs complete merges, regardless of the merge type.
• The MR request has the hard zoning status and a merge flag field in addition to the active zone set
and zone database.
The merge flag field includes the merge control mode and default zone policy.