- Preface
- Overview
- Configuring Fibre Channel Domain Parameters
- Configuring and Managing VSANs
- DPVM
- Configuring VSAN Trunking
- Configuring and Managing Zones
- Distributing Device Alias Services
- Configuring Fibre Channel Routing Services and Protocols
- Managing FLOGI, Name Server, FDMI, and RSCN Databases
- Advanced Fibre Channel Features
- Configuring FC-SP and DHCHAP
- Configuring Port Security
- Configuring Fabric Binding
- Configuring Port Tracking
- Index
NPIV
About N Port Identifier Virtualization
N port identifier virtualization (NPIV) provides a means to assign multiple FC IDs to a single N port. This feature allows multiple applications on the N port to use different identifiers and allows access control, zoning, and port security to be implemented at the application level. The following figure shows an example application using NPIV.

Enabling N Port Identifier Virtualization
To enable or disable NPIV on the switch, perform this task:
You must globally enable NPIV for all VSANs on the switch to allow the NPIV-enabled applications to use multiple N port identifiers.
![]() Note |
All of the N port identifiers are allocated in the same VSAN. |
1.
switch# configuration terminal
2.
switch(config)# feature npiv
3.
switch(config)# no feature npiv
DETAILED STEPS
Command or Action | Purpose | |
---|---|---|
Step 1 | switch# configuration terminal |
Enters configuration mode. |
Step 2 | switch(config)# feature npiv |
Enables NPIV for all VSANs on the switch. |
Step 3 | switch(config)# no feature npiv |
Disables (default) NPIV on the switch. |