- N Port ID Virtualization (NPIV) functionality
- Power-on self-test diagnostics and status reporting
- Support for Non-Disruptive Code Load Activation
- Support for standards-based FC-SW2 interoperability
- Error detection
- Frame bundling
- Nonblocking architecture to prevent latency
The QLogic 4/8 Gb Intelligent Pass-thru Modules for BladeCenter provide seamless integration of BladeCenter solution into existing Fibre Channel storage networks using N Port ID Virtualization (NPIV) technology. Each module concentrates multiple blade servers into the external ports, which in turn connect to external Fibre Channel switches that support NPIV. The pass-thru module presents one or more blade servers per port to the fabric. The module expands the fabric, but unlike a full fabric switch, it does not count against the fabric domain.