NPV and NPIV - Port modes

Configuring SAN port channel between MDS and UCS Fabric Interconnect 6xxx

With FIs in EHM connected to upstream MDS in npiv mode, all southbound hosts are logging into FI (npv) which is acting as a FCF, the FI port is NP as all N ports are proxied. The upstream MDS port is F port without any knowledge of npv or npiv. In a multi tenant environment utilizing different VSANs, a trunk is needed between the NP and F port which is accomplished by using the Fport trunking feature on both devices.

Configuration needed on MDS

feature npiv
feature fport-channel-trunk

interface port-channel X
switchport mode F
switchport rate-mode dedicated
switchport trunk mode on
switchport trunk allowed vsan 1,3-4,14
channel mode active

(*This way vsan 1 is native for pc 10)
vsan database
vsan 1 interface port-channel 10                                   

(*Adding ports to PC and reconfiguring ports to ensure completeness)
interface fc1/1-2                      
switchport mode F
switchport rate-mode dedicated
switchport trunk mode on
switchport trunk allowed vsan 1,3-4,14
channel-group 10 force

Shutdown the port channel on the MDS for now.

Configuration needed on MDS

1. Enable FC port Trunking on FIs.
2. Add the member interfaces on the FI and set the native VSAN to 1. 
3. Bring up the PC on FI followed by the PC on the MDS.

The PC should be up and the member ports should be trunking now. If not, check the Troubleshooting reference document below.


References :-
Configuring FC port channels
Configuring Trunking
Troubleshooting