Network Switch supports N_Port ID Virtualization.

IBM Sep 12, 2005

Press Release Summary:

With N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV), TotalStorageÃ‚Â® SAN32M-2 provides IBM System z9 109 Linux server with support for up to 256 virtual device addresses on one physical switch port. Virtual addresses can be allocated without impacting existing hardware implementation, and virtual port (NV_port) has same properties as N_port, which makes it capable of registering with all services in fabric. By activating NPIV, users can utilize Fibre Channel Protocol (FCP) Virtualization.

Original Press Release:

N_Port ID Virtualization for the IBM TotalStorage SAN32M-2

At a glance N_Port ID Virtualization is now available for the IBM TotalStorage SAN32M-2 switch. For ordering, contact: Your IBM representative, an IBM Business Partner, or IBM Americas Call Centers at 800-IBM-CALL (Reference: LE001). Overview The IBM TotalStorageÂ® SAN32M-2 switch now supports N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV). NPIV provides IBM System z9 109 Linux server support for up to 256 virtual device addresses on a single physical switch port (excluding Inter-Switch Links). Virtual addresses can be allocated without impacting the existing hardware implementation. The virtual port (called the NV_port) has the same properties as an N_port, and is therefore capable of registering with all of the services in the fabric. Loop devices and NPIV are not supported on the same port simultaneously. If you activate NPIV on the IBM TotalStorage SAN32M-2, you can utilize the Fibre Channel Protocol (FCP) Virtualization for Linux on z9-109 servers to help: Improve I/O performance through improved resource sharing Reduce hardware, simplify administration and management: Multiple Linux images can access the same device via a single shared FCP channel Compliment the on demand environment and utilize existing industry standards to ensure interoperability among IBM products and the products of other vendors For additional details regarding NPIV on z9-109, refer to Hardware Announcement 105-241 , dated July 26, 2005. Activation of this feature requires E/OS V8.0, or higher. This feature can also be managed via Enterprise Fabric Connectivity Manager (EFCM) V8.7, or higher. Key prerequisites The IBM TotalStorage SAN m-type family supports Fibre Channel and FICONÃƒÆ’Â¢"zÂ¢ connectivity for servers and storage. For a complete list, refer to the Supported servers and storage systems topic in the Description section. For availability dates, configuration options, server models, operating systems levels, and attachment capabilities, refer to www.ibm.com/totalstorage/SAN/m-type Planned availability date September 9, 2005