Information About FCoE NPV
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FCoE NPV does not have the management and troubleshooting issues that are inherent to managing hosts remotely at the FCF.
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FCoE NPV implements FIP snooping as an extension to the NPV function while retaining the traffic-engineering, vsan-management, administration and trouble-shooting aspects of NPV.
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FCoE NPV and NPV together allow communication through FC and FCoE ports at the same time. This provides a smooth transition when moving from FC to FCoE topologies.
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Enable FCoE and then enable NPV—This method requires that you enable FCoE first using the feature fcoe command and then you enable NPV by using the feature npv command. When FCoE is enabled, the default mode of operation is FC switching and when you enable NPV, the mode changes to NPV mode. Switching to NPV mode automatically performs a write erase and reloads the system. After the reload, the system comes up in NPV mode. To exit NPV mode and return to FC switching mode, enter the no feature npv command. Exiting NPV mode also triggers a write erase and a switch reload. This method requires the Storage Protocols Services Package (FC_FEATURES_PKG) license
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Enable FCoE NPV—When you enable FCoE NPV using the feature fcoe-npv command, the mode changes to NPV. When you use this method, a write erase and reload does not occur. This method requires a separate license package (FCOE_NPV_PKG). This license is also included in the Storage Protocol Services License.
Method | License | Write Erase | Reload |
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Enable FCoE and then Enable NPV | Storage Protocols Services Package (FC_FEATURES_PKG) | Yes | Yes |
Enable FCoE NPV | (FCOE_NPV_PKG) | No | No |
Interoperability with FCoE-Capable Switches
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Cisco MDS 9000 Series Multilayer switches enabled to perform FCF functions (EthNPV and VE)
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Cisco Nexus 7000 Series switches enabled to perform FCF functions (EthNPV and VE)
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Cisco Nexus 4000 Series switches enabled for FIP Snooping
For detailed information about switch interoperability, see the Cisco Data Center Interoperability Support Matrix.
Licensing
The following table shows the licensing requirements for FCoE NPV:
Product | License Requirement |
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NX-OS |
FCoE NPV requires a separate license (FCOE_NPV_PKG). The FCoE NPV license is also included in the Storage Protocol Services License. FCoE and NPV require the Storage Protocols Services Package (FC_FEATURES_PKG). For detailed information about features that require licensing and Cisco NX-OS license installation, see the Cisco NX-OS Licensing Guide. For information about troubleshooting licensing issues, see the Troubleshooting Guide for your device. |