350-601 Storage Network Practice Question
In a Fibre Channel SAN, a technique is used to allow multiple initiators to share a single physical FC port by assigning multiple N-port IDs. What is this technique called?
⚠ Common exam trap
Cisco often tests the distinction between NPIV (port-level virtualization on the HBA) and NPV (switch-level aggregation), and candidates confuse the two because of the similar acronyms and overlapping use in virtualized environments.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV)
NPIV (N_Port ID Virtualization) allows a single physical Fibre Channel port to register multiple N_Port IDs (FCIDs), enabling multiple initiators (e.g., virtual machines or logical partitions) to share that port while each appears as a unique entity to the fabric. This is achieved by the HBA requesting additional FCIDs from the fabric switch via the FLOGI and FDISC processes. The technique is defined in the FC-FS and FC-LS standards and is widely used in virtualized server environments to reduce the number of physical ports needed.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV)
Why this is correct
NPIV allows multiple FCIDs per physical port.
- ✗
NPIV is exclusive to FCoE environments
Why it's wrong here
NPIV is used in native FC as well.
- ✗
NPIV is only available on initiator HBAs
Why it's wrong here
NPIV is supported on both initiators and switches.
- ✗
N_Port Virtualization (NPV)
Why it's wrong here
NPV reduces the number of domain IDs, not multiple N-port IDs.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This 350-601 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Cisco certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 350-601 exam.