1. What is NPIV?
· NPIV Stands for N-Port ID Virtualization.
· This allows a single HBA adaptor port (provided it supports NPIV) to register multiple WWPN’s with the SAN fabric, rather than the single address normally registered.
· You can then present one of these WWPN’s directly to a VM, thus allowing you to zone storage to a specific VM rather than a host.
2. NPIV Requirements
· HBAs and SAN switches must support NPIV.
· NPIV only works with RDM disks.
3. Using NPIV
· In the VM properties, Options -> NPIV. (NOTE: These options will only be enabled if the VM has an RDM attached. Even if enabled it does not guarantee that the HBA/switches support NPIV).
· For a new VM, click ‘Generate new WWNs’
· For an existing VM (which is already NPIV enabled) click:
· ‘Generate WWNs’ to change the WWN assigned to this VM
· Temporarily Disable WWN
· Remove WWN
· You’ll also have to add the newly generated WWPN’s to your SAN zones and storage array masking.
Note: svMotion on an NPIV enabled VM is not allowed although it supports vMotion.
15+ years of IT experience, MCP, MCTS, MCSA (Win 2012), MCT, PMP, ITIL, Cisco Unity Support, VCP 3/4/5, VCAP-DCD, VCAP-DCA Certified
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