Configuration
Deploying NPIV for VMware ESX/ESXi
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Deploying NPIV for VMware ESX/ESXi
QLogic FC adapters support N_Port ID virtualization (NPIV) for FC SANs. NPIV
enables each virtual machine to have its own FC world wide port name (WWPN)
by creating multiple virtual adapters on a single physical adapter.
VMware ESX 3.5/3i enables NPIV support on QLogic FC adapters. Because the
QLogic FC driver shipped inbox on VMware ESX/ESXi supports NPIV, no
additional software or hardware installation is required. Note that VMware
ESX/ESXi 3.5 supports NPIV only on Raw Disk Map devices.
To configure NPIV, the FC switch port must be configured to enable NPIV. The
specific procedure to enable NPIV on the switch port depends on the switch itself.
For details, refer to the FC switch documentation.
The VMware technical note, Configuring and Troubleshooting N-Port ID
Virtualization, describes NPIV deployment for VMware ESX in greater detail. This
document is available on the VMware Web site at the following URL:
http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vi3_35_25_npiv_config.pdf
Monitoring NPIV Virtual Ports from SANsurfer
QLogic’s SANsurfer utility also supports the NPIV featured drivers. SANsurfer FC
HBA Manager (GUI) and SANsurfer FC HBA CLI (command line interface) both
display the virtual ports configured on the system. These utilities also provide
additional information on the virtual ports, including diagnostics and monitoring
information.
SANsurfer generates events and notifies the user of any change (such as virtual
port creation and deletion) at the backend to the virtual ports.
Figure 3-4 shows a typical virtual environment in SANsurfer FC HBA Manager
with physical and virtual ports.
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