Concept Guide

2 Dell 8/4Gbps FC SAN Module Administrator’s Guide

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FC SAN Module port types

The Dell NPIV Switch FC SAN Module differs from a typical fabric switch because it is a port

aggregator rather than a switch; instead, it connects to the fabric using node ports (N_Ports).

Typically fabric switches connect to the fabric using ISL (InterSwitch Link) ports, such as E_Ports.

Following are the Fibre Channel (FC) ports that the FC SAN Module uses:

• F_Port - internal fabric port that connects a blade server (HBA).

• N_Port - external node port that connects to a switch.

FC SAN Module limitations

The limitations of the FC SAN Module are as follows:

• The maximum number of devices that can be connected to a fabric switch through the FC SAN

Module depends on the maximum number of local devices supported by the fabric.

• Loop devices are not supported.

• Port groups cannot be overlapped. This means that an N_Port cannot belong to two different

groups.

• Direct connections to SAN target devices are not supported.

• Management Platform Services is not supported.

• Name Services is not supported.

• Zoning is not supported; security enforcement is done using the ADS policy.