Users Guide

NPIV Proxy Gateway
The N-port identifier virtualization (NPIV) proxy gateway (NPG) provides FCoE-FC bridging capability on the
S5000 switch.
This chapter describes how to configure and use an NPIV proxy gateway on an S5000 switch in a storage
area network (SAN).
Topics:
• Benefits of an NPIV Proxy Gateway
• NPIV Proxy Gateway Operation
• Configure an NPIV Proxy Gateway
• Display NPIV Proxy Gateway Information
Benefits of an NPIV Proxy Gateway
The S5000 functions as a top-of-rack edge switch that supports Converged Enhanced Ethernet (CEE) traffic
— FCoE for storage, Inter-process 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.
• 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.
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