Administrator Guide

The N-port identifier virtualization (NPIV) proxy gateway (NPG) provides FCoE-FC bridging capability on the
FN IOM with the FC Flex IO module.
This chapter describes how to configure and use an NPIV proxy gateway on the FN IOM with the FC Flex IO
module in a (SAN.
NPIV Proxy Gateway Operations and
Capabilities
Benefits of an NPIV Proxy Gateway
The FN IOM with the FC Flex IO module functions as a top-of-rack edge switch that supports Converged
Enhanced Ethernet (CEE) traffic — FCoE for storage, Interprocess Communication (IPC) for servers, and
Ethernet LAN (IP cloud) for data — as well as Fibre Channel (FC) links to one or more SAN fabrics.
Using an NPIV proxy gateway (NPG) helps resolve the following problems in a storage area network:
• Fibre Channel storage networks typically consist of servers connected to edge switches, which are
connected to SAN core switches. As the SAN grows, it is necessary to add more ports and SAN switches.
This results in an increase in the required domain IDs, which may surpass the upper limit of 239 domain
IDs supported in the SAN network. An NPG avoids the need for additional domain IDs because it is
deployed outside the SAN and uses the domain IDs of core switches in its FCoE links.
• With the introduction of 10GbE links, FCoE is being implemented for server connections to optimize
performance. However, a SAN traditionally uses Fibre Channel to transmit storage traffic. FCoE servers
require an efficient and scalable bridging feature to access FC storage arrays, which an NPG provides.
NPIV Proxy Gateway Operation
Consider a sample scenario of NPG operation. An M1000e chassis configured as an NPG does not join a SAN
fabric, but functions as an FCoE-FC bridge that forwards storage traffic between servers and core SAN
switches. The core switches forward SAN traffic to and from FC storage arrays.
An M1000e chassis FC port is configured as an N (node) port that logs in to an F (fabric) port on the upstream
FC core switch and creates a channel for N-port identifier virtualization. NPIV allows multiple N-port fabric
logins at the same time on a single, physical Fibre Channel link.
Converged Network Adapter (CNA) ports on servers connect to the M1000e chassis Ten-Gigabit Ethernet
ports and log in to an upstream FC core switch through the FC Flex IO module N port. Server fabric login
(FLOGI) requests are converted into fabric discovery (FDISC) requests before being forwarded by the FC Flex
IO module to the FC core switch.
Servers use CNA ports to connect over FCoE to an Ethernet port in ENode mode on the NPIV proxy gateway.
FCoE transit with FIP snooping is automatically enabled and configured on the M1000e gateway to prevent
unauthorized access and data transmission to the SAN network (see FCoE Transit). FIP is used by server CNAs
to discover an FCoE switch operating as an FCoE forwarder (FCF).
The NPIV proxy gateway aggregates multiple locally connected server CNA ports into one or more upstream
N port links, conserving the number of ports required on an upstream FC core switch while providing an
FC Flex IO Modules 1090