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Systems & Data Center · Advanced

N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV)

A Fibre Channel feature allowing a single physical HBA port to register multiple virtual WWPNs and FC IDs with the fabric.

Definition

NPIV lets VMs or blade servers have their own fabric identities for zoning. Its counterpart, NPV, makes an edge switch act as a host proxy to an upstream NPIV-enabled core switch, reducing domain IDs.

Example

UCS fabric interconnects in end-host (NPV) mode require NPIV on the upstream MDS switch.

Exam tip

NPV on the edge switch requires NPIV enabled on the core switch.

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