Methods and structure for dynamically modifying SAS Zoning Features of a SAS expander based on present operating status of the expander. Rules are provided and interpreted within the expander to define changes to be made to the present SAS Zoning Features based on changes to the present operating status of the expander. The present operating status may be, for example, the present day, date, time of day, etc. Exemplary rules may define a modification to the zone group identifier to be associated with a PHY of the expander based on the present operating status of the expander. Exemplary rules may also define a modification to the zone permission defined for a pair of zone group identifiers. Further features and aspects hereof provide for a read-only zone permission value in addition the standards of the SAS specification.