Interface Modes - Cisco Nexus 5000 Series Configuration Manual

Information About Fibre Channel Interfaces
Ethernet interfaces, a vFC interface must be created and bound to the Ethernet interface. These vFC interfaces
must be configured as VNP ports. On the VNP port, an FCoE NPV bridge emulates an FCoE-capable host
with multiple enodes, each with a unique enode MAC address. A VNP port interface binding to MAC address
is not supported. By default, the VNP port is enabled in trunk mode. Multiple VSANs can be configured on
the VNP port. The FCoE VLANs that correspond to the VNP port VSANs must be configured on the bound
Ethernet interface.
The spanning-tree protocol (STP) is automatically disabled in the FCoE VLAN on the interfaces that the VNP
port are bound to.

Interface Modes

Each physical Fibre Channel interface in a switch may operate in one of several port modes: E mode, TE
mode, F mode, TF mode, TNP mode, and SD mode. A physical Fibre Channel interface can be configured
as an E port, an F port, or an SD port. Interfaces may also be configured in Auto mode; the port type is
determined during interface initialization.
In NPV mode, Fibre Channel interfaces may operate in NP mode, F mode, or SD mode.
Virtual Fibre Channel interfaces can only be configured in F mode.
Interfaces are automatically assigned VSAN 1 by default.
Each interface has an associated administrative configuration and an operational status:
• The administrative configuration does not change unless you modify it. This configuration has various
attributes that you can configure in administrative mode.
• The operational status represents the current status of a specified attribute such as the interface speed.
This status cannot be changed and is read-only. Some values may not be valid when the interface is
down (for example, the operational speed).
Related Topics
Configuring and Managing VSANs, on page 115
Configuring N Port Virtualization, on page 55
E Port
In expansion port (E port) mode, an interface functions as a fabric expansion port. This port may be connected
to another E port to create an Inter-Switch Link (ISL) between two switches. E ports carry frames between
switches for configuration and fabric management. They serve as a conduit between switches for frames
destined to remote N ports. E ports support class 3 and class F service.
An E port connected to another switch may also be configured to form a SAN port channel.
Related Topics
Configuring SAN Port Channels, on page 95
F Port
In fabric port (F port) mode, an interface functions as a fabric port. This port may be connected to a peripheral
device (host or disk) operating as a node port (N port). An F port can be attached to only one N port. F ports
support class 3 service.
Cisco Nexus 5000 Series NX-OS SAN Switching Configuration Guide, Release 5.2(1)N1(1)
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Configuring Fibre Channel Interfaces
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