CompTIA Cloud+ Practice Test

What can a systems administrator configure on the storage controller to hide storage resources from a server that does not need access?

1. Zoning

2. LUN Masking

3. Port Masking

4. VLANs

The correct answer is: LUN Masking

LUN masking is a fundamental method used in storage area networks (SANs) to control which servers have access to specific logical unit numbers (LUNs). By implementing LUN masking, a systems administrator can configure the storage controller to present only those LUNs that a particular server is allowed to access. This ensures that unauthorized servers are unable to see or interact with certain storage resources, which enhances security and ensures that resources are allocated appropriately. When LUN masking is applied, it creates a level of abstraction that effectively "hides" the relevant storage resources from the server that does not require them. This is especially critical in environments where multiple servers share the same storage infrastructure, as it prevents exposure of sensitive data and reduces the risk of potential data breaches from systems that should not have access. The other options, while related to network and storage configurations, serve different purposes. Zoning pertains to defining access rights within a Fibre Channel network by controlling which devices can see and communicate with each other, and is more focused on network-level control. Port masking restricts visibility at the port level on the storage controller but does not provide the granularity of access control that LUN masking offers. VLANs are used to segment network traffic for different types of devices