Information About N Port Virtualization; Npv Overview; N Port Identifier Virtualization - Cisco MDS 9000 Series Configuration Manual

Configuring N Port Virtualization

Information About N Port Virtualization

NPV Overview

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 NPIV 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 only:
• Cisco MDS 9132T 32-Gbps 32-Port Fibre Channel Switch
• Cisco MDS 9148T 32-Gbps 48-Port Fibre Channel Switch
• Cisco MDS 9396T 32-Gbps 96-Port Fibre Channel Switch
• Cisco MDS 9148S 16G Multilayer Fabric Switch
• Cisco MDS 9396S 16G Multilayer Fabric Switch
Note NPV is available on these switches only while in NPV mode; if in switch mode, NPV is not available.

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.
Figure 18: NPIV Example
You must globally enable NPIV for all VSANs on the MDS switch to allow the NPIV-enabled applications
to use multiple N port identifiers.
Figure 18: NPIV Example, on page 251
Cisco MDS 9000 Series Interfaces Configuration Guide, Release 8.x

Information About N Port Virtualization

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