Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switch CLI Software Configuration Guide, NX-OS 4.0(1a)N1 (OL-16597-01, January 2009)

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34-3
Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switch CLI Software Configuration Guide
OL-16597-01
Chapter 34 Configuring N Port Virtualization
Information About NPV
NP Uplinks (External Interfaces)
All interfaces from the edge switch to the core switch are configured as proxy N ports (NP ports).
An NP uplink is a connection from an NP port on the edge switch to an F port on the core switch. When
an NP uplink is established, the edge switch sends a fabric login message (FLOGI) to the core switch,
and then (if the FLOGI is successful) it registers itself with the name server on the core switch.
Subsequent FLOGIs from end devices connected to this NP uplink are converted to fabric discovery
messages (FDISCs). For additional information about fabric login, see the “Information About Fabric
Login” section on page 41-1.
Note In the switch CLI configuration commands and output displays, NP uplinks are called External
Interfaces.
In Cisco Nexus 5000 Series switches, NP uplink interfaces must be native Fibre Channel interfaces.
FLOGI Operation
When an NP port becomes operational, the switch first logs itself in to the core switch by sending a
FLOGI request (using the port WWN of the NP port).
After completing the FLOGI request, the switch registers itself with the fabric name server on the core
switch (using the symbolic port name of the NP port and the IP address of the edge switch).
Table 34-1 identifies port and node names in the edge switch used in NPV mode.
Note The buffer-to-buffer state change number (BB_SCN) of internal FLOGIs on an NP port is always set to
zero. The BB_SCN is supported by the F port on the edge switch.
We do not recommend using fWWN-based zoning on the edge switch for the following reasons:
• Zoning is not enforced at the edge switch (rather, it is enforced on the core switch).
• Multiple devices attached to an edge switch log in through the same F port on the core, so they
cannot be separated into different zones.
Table 34-1 Edge Switch FLOGI Parameters
Parameter Derived From
pWWN The fWWN of the NP port on the edge switch.
nWWN The VSAN-based sWWN of the edge switch.
symbolic port name The edge switch name and NP port interface
string.
Note If no switch name is available, the output
will read “switch.” For example, switch:
fc 1/5.
IP address The IP address of the edge switch.
symbolic node name The edge switch name.