Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switch CLI Software Configuration Guide (OL-16597-01, July 2009)

CHAPTER 47
Configuring Fabric Binding
This chapter contains the following sections:
• Configuring Fabric Binding, page 653
Configuring Fabric Binding
Information About Fabric Binding
The fabric binding feature ensures that ISLs are only enabled between specified switches in the fabric. Fabric
binding is configured on a per-VSAN basis.
This feature helps prevent unauthorized switches from joining the fabric or disrupting current fabric operations.
It uses the Exchange Fabric Membership Data (EFMD) protocol to ensure that the list of authorized switches
is identical in all switches in the fabric.
Licensing Requirements for Fabric Binding
Fabric Binding requires the Storage Protocol Services license.
Port Security Versus Fabric Binding
Port security and fabric binding are two independent features that can be configured to complement each
other. The following table compares the two features.
Table 96: Fabric Binding and Port Security Comparison
Port SecurityFabric Binding
Uses pWWNs/nWWNs or fWWNs/sWWNs.Uses a set of sWWNs and a persistent domain ID.
Binds devices at the interface level.Binds the fabric at the switch level.
Allows a preconfigured set of Fibre Channel devices
to logically connect to a SAN port. The switch port,
Authorizes only the configured sWWN stored in the
fabric binding database to participate in the fabric.
identified by a WWN or interface number, connects
Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Switch CLI Software Configuration Guide
OL-16597-01 653