Cisco APIC Layer 2 Networking Configuration Guide, Release 6.2(x)

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Cisco APIC Layer 2 Networking Configuration Guide, Release 6.2(x)

Fibre Channel NPV requirements and limitations

Updated: July 7, 2026

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Describes the configuration guidelines and operational limitations for Fibre Channel N-Port Virtualization (NPV). These requirements ensure proper connectivity and performance when deploying NPV on supported switches.

This document provides essential configuration rules and constraints for implementing Fibre Channel N-Port Virtualization (NPV) in a network environment.

The following guidelines and limitations apply to Fibre Channel N-Port Virtualization (NPV) configurations:

  • Fibre Channel NP ports support trunk mode, but Fibre Channel F ports do not.

  • On a trunk Fibre Channel port, internal login happens on the highest VSAN.

  • On the core switch, the following features must be enabled:

    feature npiv
                            feature fport-channel-trunk

  • To use an 8G uplink speed, you must configure the IDLE fill pattern on the core switch.

    Note

    Following is an example of configuring IDLE fill pattern on a Cisco MDS switch:

    
                                Switch(config)# 
                                int fc2/3
                                Switch(config)# 
                                switchport fill-pattern IDLE speed 8000
                                Switch(config)# 
                                show run int fc2/3
                                interface fc2/3
                                switchport speed 8000
                                switchport mode NP
                                switchport fill-pattern IDLE speed 8000
                                no shutdown

  • Fibre Channel NPV support is limited to the Cisco N9K-C93180YC-FX switch.

  • You can use ports 1 through 48 for Fibre Channel configuration. Ports 49 through 54 cannot be Fibre Channel ports.

  • If you convert a port from Ethernet to Fibre Channel or the other way around, you must reload the switch. Currently, you can convert only one contiguous range of ports to Fibre Channel ports, and this range must be a multiple of 4, ending with a port number that is a multiple of 4. For example, 1-4, 1-8, or 21-24.

  • Fibre Channel Uplink (NP) connectivity to Brocade Port Blade Fibre Channel 16-32 is not supported when a Cisco N9K-93180YC-FX leaf switch port is configured in 8G speed.

  • The selected port speed must be supported by the SFP. For example, because a 32G SFP supports 8/16/32G, a 4G port speed requires an 8G or 16G SFP. Because a 16G SFP supports 4/8/16G, a 32G port speed requires a 32G SFP.

  • Speed autonegotiation is supported. The default speed is 'auto'.

  • You cannot use Fibre Channel on 40G and breakout ports.

  • FEX cannot be directly connected to FC ports.

  • FEX HIF ports cannot be converted to FC.

  • Reloading a switch after changing a switch's port profile configuration interrupts traffic through the data plane.