Chapter 7 Configuring N Port Virtualization; About N Port Identifier Virtualization - Cisco MDS 9000 Series Configuration Manual

S e n d d o c u m e n t a t i o n c o m m e n t s t o m d s f e e d b a c k - d o c @ c i s c o . c o m
Configuring N Port Virtualization
N port virtualization (NPV) reduces the number of Fibre Channel domain IDs in SANs. Switches
operating in the NPV mode do not join a fabric. They pass traffic between NPV core switch links and
end devices, which eliminates the domain IDs for these edge switches.
NPV is supported by the following Cisco MDS 9000 switches and Cisco Nexus 5000 Series switches
only:
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NPV is available on these switches only while in NPV mode; if in switch mode, NPV is not available.
Note
This chapter includes the following sections:
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About N Port Identifier Virtualization

N port identifier virtualization (NPIV) provides a means to assign multiple FC IDs to a single N port.
This feature allows multiple applications on the N port to use different identifiers and allows access
control, zoning, and port security to be implemented at the application level.
example application using NPIV.
OL-19445-02, Cisco MDS NX-OS Release 4.2(x)
Cisco MDS 9124 Multilayer Fabric Switch
Cisco MDS 9134 Fabric Switch
Cisco Fabric Switch for HP c-Class BladeSystem
Cisco Fabric Switch for IBM BladeCenter
About N Port Identifier Virtualization, page 7-1
About N Port Virtualization, page 7-2
NPV Guidelines and Requirements, page 7-8
Configuring NPV, page 7-9
Verifying NPV, page 7-12
C H A P T E R
Cisco MDS 9000 Family NX-OS Interfaces Configuration Guide
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Figure 7-1 shows an
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