What does the term 'zoning' refer to in a storage network?

Zoning in a storage network specifically refers to the practice of configuring access permissions for devices within a storage area network (SAN). This is crucial for managing which devices can communicate with one another, enhancing security and performance. By implementing zoning, network administrators can create logical groups of devices that can access each other while isolating those that should not have access. This controlled environment helps prevent unauthorized access to storage devices and maintains data integrity.

In the context of zoning, the other options do not accurately capture its definition. Dividing storage space among users relates more to allocating disk quotas or virtual storage rather than the logical access controls zoning provides. Creating backup zones pertains to organizing environments for data protection rather than device accessibility. Lastly, partitioning physical drives involves separating the storage space of a single physical drive into different logical volumes, which is different from the concept of controlling which devices can connect or communicate over the network. Thus, the focus of zoning is firmly on the permissions and connectivity between devices within a SAN environment.