Cisco Nexus 7000 Series NX-OS SAN Switching Configuration Guide
DPVM
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DPVM

Information About DPVM

You can use Dynamic Port VSAN Membership (DPVM) to dynamically assign VSAN membership to ports by assigning VSANs based on the device WWN. DPVM eliminates the need to reconfigure the port VSAN membership to maintain fabric topology when a host or storage device connection is moved between two Cisco SAN switches or two ports within a switch. It retains the configured VSAN regardless of where a device is connected or moved.

DPVM assignment is based on the port world wide name (pWWN) and node world wide name (nWWN). A DPVM database contains mapping information for each device pWWN/nWWN assignment and the corresponding VSAN. Cisco NX-OS checks the database during a device FLOGI and obtains the required VSAN details.

The pWWN identifies the host or device and the nWWN identifies a node that consists of multiple devices. You can assign any one of these identifiers or any combination of these identifiers to configure DPVM mapping. If you assign a combination, preference is given to the pWWN.

DPVM uses the Cisco Fabric Services (CFS) infrastructure to allow efficient database management and distribution.

DPVM Databases

The DPVM database consists of a series of device mapping entries. Each entry consists of a device pWWN or nWWN assignment along with the dynamic VSAN assigned. You can configure a maximum of 16,000 DPVM entries in the DPVM database. This database is global to the whole switch (and fabric) and is not maintained for each VSAN.

DPVM uses the following three databases:

Configuration (config) database

Stores all configuration changes when CFS distribution is disabled. Changes to this database are reflected in the active DPVM database when you activate the DPVM config database.

Active database

Represents the DPVM configuration that is currently active in the fabric.

Pending database

Stores all configuration changes when CFS distribution is enabled. Changes to this database are reflected in the config or active DPVM database when you commit the DPVM pending database.

Related Tasks
Related References

DPVM Database Distribution

DPVM can use CFS to distribute the database to all switches in the fabric to allow devices to move anywhere and keep the same VSAN membership.


Note
You should enable CFS distribution on all switches in the fabric.

Using the CFS infrastructure, each DPVM server learns the DPVM database from each of its neighboring switches during the ISL bring-up process. If you change the database locally, the DPVM server notifies its neighboring switches, and that database is updated by all switches in the fabric.

When you enable CFS distribution for DPVM, the DPVM configuration database is copied into the DPVM pending database. All changes to the DPVM configuration are now stored in the DPVM pending database and the feature is locked (that is, no other switch can make changes to the DPVM database until you commit the changes or discard the changes and free the CFS lock).

The DPVM pending database includes the following changes:

  • Adding, deleting, or modifying database entries.
  • Activating, deactivating, or deleting the configuration database.
  • Enabling or disabling autolearning.

CFS distributes these changes to all switches in a fabric when you commit the changes. You can also discard (abort) the changes at this point.

Database Merge

When you merge two independent fabrics into one fabric, DPVM attempts to merge the DPVM database (the configuration database and static (unlearned) entries in the active DPVM database). To ensure a successful database merge, follow these guidelines:

  • Verify that the activation status and the auto-learn status is the same for both fabrics.
  • Verify that the combined number of device entries in each database does not exceed 16000 entries.

Note
If you do not follow these two conditions, the merge will fail. The next CFS distribution will forcefully synchronize the databases and the activation states in the fabric.
Related Tasks

Default Settings

Table 1 Default DPVM Parameter Settings

Parameters

Default

DPVM feature

Disabled

DPVM CFS distribution

Enabled

Autolearning

Disabled

Licensing Requirements

Product License
Cisco Nexus 7000 Series DPVM requires the Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) license for each F-series module. FCoE enabled in a storage virtual device context (VDC) does not require the Advanced Services License. For a complete explanation of the Cisco NX-OS licensing scheme and how to obtain and apply licenses, see the Cisco NX-OS Licensing Guide.

Guidelines and Limitations for DPVM

DPVM has the following guidelines and limitations:

  • You should enable DPVM CFS distribution for all switches in your fabric.
  • Connect the dynamic device to an F-port on the switch.
  • Verify that the static port VSAN of the F port is valid (not isolated, not suspended, and in existence).
  • Verify that the dynamic VSAN configured for the device in the DPVM database is valid (not isolated, not suspended, and in existence).
  • DPVM supports MAC-based device mapping for FCoE devices. DPVM does not support pWWN mapping for FCoE devices.

Note
DPVM overrides any existing static port VSAN membership configuration. If the VSAN that corresponds to the dynamic port is deleted or suspended, the port is shut down.

Configuring DPVM

Enabling the DPVM Feature

You must enable the DPVM feature before you can configure DPVM.

SUMMARY STEPS

    1.    config t

    2.    feature dpvm

    3.    (Optional) show feature

    4.    (Optional) copy running-config startup-config


DETAILED STEPS
     Command or ActionPurpose
    Step 1config t


    Example: 
    switch# config t
switch(config)#
     

    Enters configuration mode.

     
    Step 2feature dpvm


    Example:
    switch(config)# feature dpvm
     

    Enables the DPVM feature.

     
    Step 3show feature


    Example:
    switch(config)# show feature
          		(Optional)

    Displays the enabled or disabled state for each feature.

     
    Step 4copy running-config startup-config


    Example:
    switch(config)# copy running-config startup-config
          		(Optional)

    Copies the running configuration to the startup configuration.

     

    Adding Entries into the DPVM Database

    You can manually add entries into the config and pending DPVM databases.


    Note

    The DPVM pending database is stored in volatile memory. Changes are lost if the switch reboots. You should commit changes as soon as possible.

    Before You Begin
    • Ensure that you have enabled the DPVM feature.
    • Ensure that you have configured device aliases in enhanced mode if you want to configure device aliases in the DPVM database.
    SUMMARY STEPS

      1.    config t

      2.    dpvm database

      3.    pwwn pwwn vsan vsan-id

      4.    nwwn nwwn vsan vsan-id

      5.    device-alias alias vsan vsan-id

      6.    exit

      7.    (Optional) show dpvm pending-diff

      8.    dpvm commit


    DETAILED STEPS
       Command or ActionPurpose
      Step 1 config t


      Example: 
      switch# config t
switch(config)#
       

      Enters configuration mode.

       
      Step 2 dpvm database


      Example: 
      switch(config)# dpvm database
switch(config-dpvm-db)#
       

      Creates the DPVM config database and enters database configuration mode.

       
      Step 3 pwwn pwwn vsan vsan-id


      Example: 
      switch(config-dpvm-db)# pwwn 12:33:56:78:90:12:34:56 vsan 100
       

      Maps the configured pWWN to the VSAN. The pwwn is in pWWN dotted notation. The vsan-id range is from 1 to 4093.

       
      Step 4 nwwn nwwn vsan vsan-id


      Example: 
      switch(config-dpvm-db)# nwwn 14:21:30:12:63:39:72:81 vsan 101
       

      Maps the configured nWWN to the VSAN. The nwwn is in nWWN dotted notation. The vsan-id range is from 1 to 4093.

       
      Step 5 device-alias alias vsan vsan-id


      Example: 
      switch(config-dpvm-db)# device-alias device1 vsan 102
       

      Maps the configured device alias to the VSAN. The alias is any case-sensitive alphanumeric string up to 64 characters. The vsan-id range is from 1 to 4093.

       
      Step 6 exit


      Example: 
      switch(config-dpvm-db)# exit
       

      Exits DPVM database configuration mode.

       
      Step 7(Optional) show dpvm pending-diff

      Example: 
      switch(config)# show dpvm pending
       

      (Optional) Displays the differences between the pending database and the config database. You can optionally discard these changes using the dpvm abort command.

       
      Step 8 dpvm commit


      Example: 
      switch(config)# dpvm commit
       

      Commits the DPVM pending database to the config database. This step is required to release the CFS lock on the DPVM configuration and to distribute this change across the fabric. You can optionally use the dpvm abort command to discard these changes and release the CFS lock.

       
      What to Do Next

      You should compare the DPVM config database to the active database and activate these changes.

      Activating the DPVM Config Database

      You can activate the DPVM config database to make it the active database. Activation might fail if conflicting entries are found between the DPVM config database and the currently active DPVM database. However, you can force activation to override conflicting entries.

      To disable DPVM, you must explicitly deactivate the currently active DPVM database by entering the no dpvm activate command.

      Before You Begin

      • Ensure that you have enabled the DPVM feature.
      SUMMARY STEPS

        1.    config t

        2.    (Optional) dpvm database diff config

        3.    dpvm activate


      DETAILED STEPS
         Command or ActionPurpose
        Step 1 config t


        Example: 
        switch# config t
switch(config)#
         

        Enters configuration mode.

         
        Step 2 dpvm database diff config


        Example: 
        switch(config)# dpvm database diff config
                  		(Optional)

        Compares the DPVM config database to the current DPVM active database. Use this output to verify your config database changes before activating them. You can optionally use the dpvm database copy active command to copy the active database into the config database to discard the old config database.

         
        Step 3 dpvm activate


        Example: 
        switch(config)# dpvm activate
         

        Copies the DPVM config database into the DPVM active database.

         
        Related Concepts
        Related References

        Clearing the DPVM CFS Session Lock

        If you have performed a DPVM task and have forgotten to release the lock by either committing or discarding the changes, an administrator can release the lock from any switch in the fabric. If the administrator performs this task, your changes to the DPVM pending database are discarded and the fabric lock is released.

        Before You Begin
        SUMMARY STEPS

          1.    clear dpvm session


        DETAILED STEPS
           Command or ActionPurpose
          Step 1 clear dpvm session


          Example: 
          switch# clear dpvm session
           

          Discards the DPVM pending database and releases the CFS lock.

           

          Enabling Autolearning

          You can configure the DPVM database to automatically learn (autolearn) about new devices within each VSAN. Autolearning is a two-part process. When you enable autolearning, DPVM creates learned entries by populating device pWWNs and VSANs in the active DPVM database. DPVM learns currently logged in devices as well as any new devices that log in while autolearning is enabled. These learned entries become permanent in the active DPVM database when you disable autolearning.

          The following conditions apply to autolearning:

          • If a device logs out while autolearn is enabled, that entry is automatically deleted from the active DPVM database.
          • If the same device logs multiple times into the switch through different ports, the VSAN that corresponds to last login is remembered
          • Learned entries do not override previously configured and activated entries.
          Before You Begin

          • Ensure that the active DPVM database is already available.
          SUMMARY STEPS

            1.    configure terminal

            2.    dpvm auto-learn

            3.    (Optional) show dpvm ports [vsan vsan-id]

            4.    no dpvm auto-learn


          DETAILED STEPS
             Command or ActionPurpose
            Step 1 configure terminal


            Example:
            switch# configure terminal
switch(config)#
             

            Enters global configuration mode.

             
            Step 2 dpvm auto-learn


            Example:
            switch(config)# dpvm auto-learn
             

            Enables autolearning. Disable autolearning after a period of time to make the learned entries permanent in the active DPVM database.

             
            Step 3 show dpvm ports [vsan vsan-id]


            Example:
            switch(config)# show dpvm ports vsan 3
                          		(Optional)

            Displays dynamic (autolearned) entries.

             
            Step 4 no dpvm auto-learn


            Example:
            switch(config)# no dpvm auto-learn
             

            Disables autolearning. Any learned entries become permanent in the active DPVM database.

             

            Clearing Autolearned Entries

            If DPVM autolearning is enabled, you can clear any or all learned entries from the active DPVM database.


            Note

            Clearing autolearned entries does not initiate a CFS session and can only be configured on the local switch.

            Before You Begin

            • Ensure that DPVM autolearning is enabled.
            SUMMARY STEPS

              1.    clear dpvm auto-learn pwwn pwwn

              2.    clear dpvm auto-learn


            DETAILED STEPS
               Command or ActionPurpose
              Step 1 clear dpvm auto-learn pwwn pwwn


              Example: 
              switch# clear dpvm auto-learn pwwn 55:22:33:44:55:66:77:88
               

              Clears an individual autolearned entry.

               
              Step 2 clear dpvm auto-learn


              Example: 
              switch# clear dpvm auto-learn 8
               

              Clears all autolearned entries.

               

              Displaying DPVM Database Merge Results

              When you merge two independent fabrics, DPVM attempts to merge the associated DPVM databases. You can review the results of this database merge to determine if it succeeded or failed.

              SUMMARY STEPS

                1.    show dpvm merge status

                2.    show dpvm merge statistics


              DETAILED STEPS
                 Command or ActionPurpose
                Step 1 show dpvm merge status


                Example: 
                switch(config)# show dpvm merge status
                 

                Displays information about the last DPVM database merge event.

                 
                Step 2 show dpvm merge statistics


                Example: 
                switch(config)# show dpvm merge statistics
                 

                Displays statistics about the last DPVM database merge.

                 

                The following example shows conflicts in the DPVM database merge:

                switch# show dpvm merge status
Last Merge Time Stamp     : Fri March 25 15:46:36 2011
Last Merge State          : Fail
Last Merge Result         : Fail
Last Merge Failure Reason : DPVM DB conflict found during merge [cfs_status: 76]
               Last Merge Failure Details: DPVM merge failed due to database conflict
Local Switch WWN          : 20:00:00:0d:ec:24:e5:00
Remote Switch WWN         : 20:00:00:0d:ec:09:d5:c0
 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Conflicting DPVM member(s)                    Loc VSAN   Rem VSAN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
dev-alias dpvm_dev_alias_1 [21:00:00:04:cf:cf:45:ba]    1313       1414
dev-alias dpvm_dev_alias_2 [21:00:00:04:cf:cf:45:bb]    1313       1414
dev-alias dpvm_dev_alias_3 [21:00:00:04:cf:cf:45:bc]    1313       1414
[Total 3 conflict(s)]
switch#

                Related Concepts

                Verifying the DPVM Configuration

                To display the DPVM configuration, perform one of the following tasks:

                Command

                Purpose

                show dpvm status

                Displays the status for the DPVM configuration.

                show dpvm database [active]

                Displays information about DPVM databases.

                show dpvm merge {status | statistics}

                Displays information the last DPVM merge event.

                show dpvm pending [activation ]

                Displays information about the DPVM pending database.

                show dpvm pending-diff

                Displays the differences between the pending database and the config database.

                show dpvm ports [vsan vsan-id]

                Displays information about the dynamic ports associated with a VSAN.

                show dpvm session status

                Displays information about DPVM CFS session.
                Related Concepts
                Related Tasks

                DPVM Example Configuration

                This example shows how to configure a basic DPVM configuration.

                SUMMARY STEPS

                  1.    Enable DPVM and DPVM CFS distribution.

                  2.    Activate the DPVM database.

                  3.    Enable autolearning.

                  4.    Access other switches in the fabric to verify the DPVM configuration.

                  5.    Disable autolearning.

                  6.    Access other switches in the fabric to verify the DPVM configuration.


                DETAILED STEPS
                  Step 1   Enable DPVM and DPVM CFS distribution.

                  Example: 
                  switch1# config t
Enter configuration commands, one per line.  End with CNTL/Z. 
switch1(config)# feature dpvm
switch1(config)# show dpvm status
No active DB, auto-learn is off, distribution is enabled,
Duplicated pwwn will be  Rejected.

                  DPVM is enabled but the active database is empty.

                  Step 2   Activate the DPVM database.

                  Example: 
                   switch1(config)# dpvm activate 
switch1(config)# dpvm commit 
switch1(config)# show dpvm database active 
switch1(config)#

                  DPVM is enabled but the active database is empty.

                  Step 3   Enable autolearning.

                  Example: 
                   switch1(config)# dpvm auto-learn 
switch1(config)# dpvm commit 
switch1(config)# show dpvm database active 
pwwn 21:00:00:e0:8b:0e:74:8a vsan 4(*) 
pwwn 21:01:00:e0:8b:2e:87:8a vsan 5(*) 
[Total 2 entries] 
* is auto-learnt entry 

switch1# show dpvm ports 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
Interface   Vsan        Device pWWN       Device nWWN 
-------------------------------------------------------------- 
fc1/24       4   21:00:00:e0:8b:0e:74:8a  20:00:00:e0:8b:0e:74:8a 
fc1/27       5   21:01:00:e0:8b:2e:87:8a  20:01:00:e0:8b:2e:87:8a 
switch1# show flogi database 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
INTERFACE  VSAN    FCID            PORT NAME               NODE NAME      
--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
fc1/24     4     0xe70100  21:00:00:e0:8b:0e:74:8a  20:00:00:e0:8b:0e:74:8a 
fc1/27     5     0xe80100  21:01:00:e0:8b:2e:87:8a  20:01:00:e0:8b:2e:87:8a 

Total number of flogi = 2. 

switch1# show dpvm status 
DB is activated successfully, auto-learn is on

                  The currently logged in devices (and their current VSAN assignment) populate the active DPVM database. However, these autolearned entries are not permanent in the active DPVM database.

                  The output of the show dpvm ports and the show flogi database commands display two other devices that have logged in (referred to as switch9 and switch3 in this sample configuration).

                  Step 4   Access other switches in the fabric to verify the DPVM configuration.

                  Example: 
                   switch9# show dpvm database active 
pwwn 21:00:00:e0:8b:0e:87:8a vsan 1(*) 
pwwn 21:01:00:e0:8b:2e:74:8a vsan 1(*) 
[Total 2 entries] 
* is auto-learnt entry
 
switch9# show dpvm status 
DB is activated successfully, auto-learn is on 
 

switch3# show dpvm database active 
pwwn 21:00:00:e0:8b:0e:76:8a vsan 1(*) 
pwwn 21:01:00:e0:8b:2e:76:8a vsan 1(*) 
[Total 2 entries] 
* is auto-learnt entry 

switch3# show dpvm status 
DB is activated successfully, auto-learn is on

                  The autolearned entries show up in the active database for other switches in the fabric.

                  Step 5   Disable autolearning.

                  Example: 
                   switch1(config)# no dpvm auto-learn 
switch1(config)# dpvm commit 

switch1# show dpvm status 
DB is activated successfully, auto-learn is off 
switch1# show dpvm database active 
pwwn 21:00:00:e0:8b:0e:74:8a vsan 4 
pwwn 21:01:00:e0:8b:2e:87:8a vsan 5 
pwwn 21:00:00:e0:8b:0e:87:8a vsan 1 
pwwn 21:01:00:e0:8b:2e:74:8a vsan 1 
pwwn 21:00:00:e0:8b:0e:76:8a vsan 1 
pwwn 21:01:00:e0:8b:2e:76:8a vsan 1 
[Total 6 entries] 
* is auto-learnt entry
 
switch1# show dpvm status 
DB is activated successfully, auto-learn is off

                  The autolearned entries are now permanent in the active DPVM database.

                  Step 6   Access other switches in the fabric to verify the DPVM configuration.

                  Example: 
                   switch9# show dpvm database active 
pwwn 21:00:00:e0:8b:0e:87:8a vsan 1 
pwwn 21:01:00:e0:8b:2e:74:8a vsan 1 
pwwn 21:00:00:e0:8b:0e:76:8a vsan 1 
pwwn 21:01:00:e0:8b:2e:76:8a vsan 1 
pwwn 21:00:00:e0:8b:0e:74:8a vsan 4 
pwwn 21:01:00:e0:8b:2e:87:8a vsan 5 
[Total 6 entries] 
* is auto-learnt entry 

switch9# show dpvm status 
DB is activated successfully, auto-learn is off 

switch3# show dpvm database active 
pwwn 21:00:00:e0:8b:0e:76:8a vsan 1 
pwwn 21:01:00:e0:8b:2e:76:8a vsan 1 
pwwn 21:00:00:e0:8b:0e:87:8a vsan 1 
pwwn 21:01:00:e0:8b:2e:74:8a vsan 1 
pwwn 21:00:00:e0:8b:0e:74:8a vsan 4 
pwwn 21:01:00:e0:8b:2e:87:8a vsan 5 
[Total 6 entries] 
* is auto-learnt entry 

switch3# show dpvm status 
DB is activated successfully, auto-learn is off

                  The autolearned entries show up in the active database for other switches in the fabric.

                  Feature History

                  Table 2  Feature History for DPVM

                  Feature Name

                  Releases

                  Feature Information

                  DPVM

                  5.2(1)

                  This feature was introduced.