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 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:

• Cisco MDS 9124 Multilayer Fabric Switch
• Cisco MDS 9134 Fabric Switch
• Cisco MDS 9148 Multilayer Fabric Switch
• Cisco Fabric Switch for HP c-Class BladeSystem
• Cisco Fabric Switch for IBM BladeCenter
• Cisco Nexus 5000 Series switches

Note     NPV is available on these switches only while in NPV mode; if in switch mode, NPV is not available.

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