> # Active and Full Zone Set Considerations

> Before configuring a zone set, consider the following guidelines:

> - Each VSAN can have multiple zone sets but only one zone set can be active at any given time.
> - When you create a zone set, that zone set becomes a part of the full zone set.
> - When you activate a zone set, a copy of the zone set from the full zone set is used to enforce zoning, and is called the active zone set. An active zone set cannot be modified. A zone that is part of an active zone set is called an active zone.
> - The administrator can modify the full zone set even if a zone set with the same name is active. However, the modification will be enforced only upon reactivation.
> - When the activation is done, the active zone set is automatically stored in persistent configuration. This enables the switch to preserve the active zone set information across switch resets.
> - All other switches in the fabric receive the active zone set so they can enforce zoning in their respective switches.
> - Hard and soft zoning are implemented using the active zone set. Modifications take effect during zone set activation.
> - An FC ID or Nx port that is not part of the active zone set belongs to the default zone and the default zone information is not distributed to other switches.

> Note If one zone set is active and you activate another zone set, the currently active zone set is automatically deactivated. You do not need to explicitly deactivate the currently active zone set before activating a new zone set.

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