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N_Port ID Virtualization feature:  On N_Port ID Virtualization (NPIV)-enabled systems, the port to CPU core assignment for the virtual WWPN is the same as the physical WWPN. 

Note:  For NVMe over Fiber Channel, the I/O queues are allocated to multiple cores in a round robin fashion. This multi-thread allocation provides the workload balance among the cores. 

## 2.4 Zoning 

In this topic we will be covering the zoning recommendations for FlashSystem 9100. For external storage virtualization zoning information, please see IBM System Storage SAN Volume Controller and Storwize V7000 Best Practices and Performance Guidelines , SG24-7521 as the recommendations are the same. 

Important:  Errors that are caused by improper FlashSystem 9100 zoning are often difficult to isolate and the steps to fix them can impact the SAN environment. Therefore, create your zoning configuration carefully. 

The initial configuration for FlashSystem 9100 requires the following different zones: 

GLYPH<SM590000> Internode and intra-cluster zones 

GLYPH<SM590000> Replication zones (if using replication) 

GLYPH<SM590000> Host to FlashSystem 9100 zoning 

For each zoning type, there are different guidelines, which are detailed later in this chapter. 

## 2.4.1 Types of zoning 

Note:  Although internode/intra-cluster zone is not necessary for non clustered FlashSystem 9100 family, it is generally preferred to have one. 

Modern SAN switches have two types of zoning available: Port zoning, and worldwide port name (WWPN) zoning. The preferred method is to use only WWPN zoning. A common misconception is that WWPN zoning provides poorer security than port zoning, which is not the case. Modern SAN switches enforce the zoning configuration directly in the switch hardware. Also, you can use port binding functions to enforce a WWPN to be connected to a particular SAN switch port. 

Zoning types and NPIV:  Avoid the use of a zoning configuration that has a mix of port and WWPN zoning. For NPIV configurations, host zoning must use the WWPN zoning type. 

