3–Interactive CommandsVirtual Menu (Command Line Option -vp)SN0054614-00 K 3-97Virtual Menu(Command Line Option -vp)14: Virtual MenuQLogic's SANsurfer FC/CNA HBA CLI for Windows and Solaris works inconjunction with QLogic's N_Port ID virtualization (NPIV)-capable driver. NPIV isan ANSI T11 standard that describes how multiple unique fabric addresses(N_Port IDs) can share a single FC adapter physical port (N_Port) in SAN fabrictopology. NPIV allows a physical adapter port to obtain N_Port IDs. SANsurferFC/CNA HBA CLI refers to these N_Port IDs as “virtual ports” (vPorts).QLogic 4Gb FC adapters (QLx24xx) support the NPIV standard. Using NPIVrequires software tools or applications to create, delete, manage, deploy, andmigrate virtual ports. Microsoft’s Windows Virtual Server 2005 R2, WindowsServer 2003, and Solaris 11 provide a virtualization platform that can run guestoperating systems in an x86 environment. Use the QLogic NPIV-capableWindows driver with QLogic’s SANsurfer FC/CNA HBA CLI to create, delete, andmanage virtual ports. You can deploy and migrate virtual ports in conjunction withvirtual machines (VMs) in your Solaris and Windows Virtual Server environmentusing Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine CLI 2007.For more information about QLogic and Microsoft solutions, see the followingdocuments: HBA Virtualization Technologies for Windows OS Environments (QLogic) Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager (Microsoft)The Virtual Menu options allow you to view, create, and delete virtual adapterports.To see a complete list of NPIV options, add the flag -h to the vp command. Forexample:# scli -vp -hNOTES: The option to use N_Port ID virtualization (NPIV) only appears on theMain Menu if the adapters and system support it. NPIV requires aWindows or Solaris system running with a driver that supports NPIV. Virtual menu options are not available for the QLE8042 adapter withFCoE engine. QLE81xx adapters support NPIV. Statistics are available for virtual ports on the adapter (see “StatisticsMenu (Command Line Options -gs and -ls)” on page 3-89).
