Requirements for Using NPIV

Before you attempt to implement NPIV by assigning WWNs to your virtual machines, be aware of the following requirements and limitations:

•	NPIV can only be used for virtual machines with RDM disks. Virtual machines with regular virtual disks use the WWNs of the host’s physical HBAs. For more information on RDMs, see the ESX Server 3 Configuration Guide or ESX Server 3i Configuration Guide.

•	For this implementation of NPIV, the physical HBAs on an ESX Server host, using their own WWNs, must have access to all LUNs that are to be accessed by virtual machines running on that host.

•	The ESX Server host’s physical HBAs must support NPIV. Currently, the following vendors and types of HBA provide this support:

•	QLogic – any 4GB HBA.

•	Emulex – 4GB HBAs that have NPIV-compatible firmware.

•	Only four WWN pairs are generated per virtual machine.

•	When a virtual machine or template with a WWN assigned to it is cloned, the clones do not retain the WWN.

•	The switches used must be NPIV-aware.

•	When configuring an NPIV LUN for access at the storage level, make sure that the NPIV LUN number and NPIV target ID match the physical LUN and Target ID.

•	Always use the VI Client to manipulate virtual machines with WWNs.