1 .. SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0
9 Kernel Revisions for features::
13 bsg support : 2.6.30 (?TBD?)
18 This file documents the features and components of the SCSI FC Transport.
19 It also provides documents the API between the transport and FC LLDDs.
21 The FC transport can be found at::
23 drivers/scsi/scsi_transport_fc.c
24 include/scsi/scsi_transport_fc.h
25 include/scsi/scsi_netlink_fc.h
26 include/scsi/scsi_bsg_fc.h
28 This file is found at Documentation/scsi/scsi_fc_transport.rst
31 FC Remote Ports (rports)
32 ========================
36 FC Virtual Ports (vports)
37 =========================
42 New FC standards have defined mechanisms which allows for a single physical
43 port to appear on as multiple communication ports. Using the N_Port Id
44 Virtualization (NPIV) mechanism, a point-to-point connection to a Fabric
45 can be assigned more than 1 N_Port_ID. Each N_Port_ID appears as a
46 separate port to other endpoints on the fabric, even though it shares one
47 physical link to the switch for communication. Each N_Port_ID can have a
48 unique view of the fabric based on fabric zoning and array lun-masking
49 (just like a normal non-NPIV adapter). Using the Virtual Fabric (VF)
50 mechanism, adding a fabric header to each frame allows the port to
51 interact with the Fabric Port to join multiple fabrics. The port will
52 obtain an N_Port_ID on each fabric it joins. Each fabric will have its
53 own unique view of endpoints and configuration parameters. NPIV may be
54 used together with VF so that the port can obtain multiple N_Port_IDs
55 on each virtual fabric.
57 The FC transport is now recognizing a new object - a vport. A vport is
58 an entity that has a world-wide unique World Wide Port Name (wwpn) and
59 World Wide Node Name (wwnn). The transport also allows for the FC4's to
60 be specified for the vport, with FCP_Initiator being the primary role
61 expected. Once instantiated by one of the above methods, it will have a
62 distinct N_Port_ID and view of fabric endpoints and storage entities.
63 The fc_host associated with the physical adapter will export the ability
64 to create vports. The transport will create the vport object within the
65 Linux device tree, and instruct the fc_host's driver to instantiate the
66 virtual port. Typically, the driver will create a new scsi_host instance
67 on the vport, resulting in a unique <H,C,T,L> namespace for the vport.
68 Thus, whether a FC port is based on a physical port or on a virtual port,
69 each will appear as a unique scsi_host with its own target and lun space.
72 At this time, the transport is written to create only NPIV-based
73 vports. However, consideration was given to VF-based vports and it
74 should be a minor change to add support if needed. The remaining
75 discussion will concentrate on NPIV.
78 World Wide Name assignment (and uniqueness guarantees) are left
79 up to an administrative entity controlling the vport. For example,
80 if vports are to be associated with virtual machines, a XEN mgmt
81 utility would be responsible for creating wwpn/wwnn's for the vport,
82 using its own naming authority and OUI. (Note: it already does this
83 for virtual MAC addresses).
86 Device Trees and Vport Objects:
87 -------------------------------
89 Today, the device tree typically contains the scsi_host object,
90 with rports and scsi target objects underneath it. Currently the FC
91 transport creates the vport object and places it under the scsi_host
92 object corresponding to the physical adapter. The LLDD will allocate
93 a new scsi_host for the vport and link its object under the vport.
94 The remainder of the tree under the vports scsi_host is the same
95 as the non-NPIV case. The transport is written currently to easily
96 allow the parent of the vport to be something other than the scsi_host.
97 This could be used in the future to link the object onto a vm-specific
98 device tree. If the vport's parent is not the physical port's scsi_host,
99 a symbolic link to the vport object will be placed in the physical
102 Here's what to expect in the device tree :
104 The typical Physical Port's Scsi_Host::
106 /sys/devices/.../host17/
108 and it has the typical descendant tree::
110 /sys/devices/.../host17/rport-17:0-0/target17:0:0/17:0:0:0:
112 and then the vport is created on the Physical Port::
114 /sys/devices/.../host17/vport-17:0-0
116 and the vport's Scsi_Host is then created::
118 /sys/devices/.../host17/vport-17:0-0/host18
120 and then the rest of the tree progresses, such as::
122 /sys/devices/.../host17/vport-17:0-0/host18/rport-18:0-0/target18:0:0/18:0:0:0:
124 Here's what to expect in the sysfs tree::
127 /sys/class/scsi_host/host17 physical port's scsi_host
128 /sys/class/scsi_host/host18 vport's scsi_host
130 /sys/class/fc_host/host17 physical port's fc_host
131 /sys/class/fc_host/host18 vport's fc_host
133 /sys/class/fc_vports/vport-17:0-0 the vport's fc_vport
135 /sys/class/fc_remote_ports/rport-17:0-0 rport on the physical port
136 /sys/class/fc_remote_ports/rport-18:0-0 rport on the vport
142 The new fc_vport class object has the following attributes
145 The WWNN of the vport
148 The WWPN of the vport
151 Indicates the FC4 roles enabled on the vport.
153 symbolic_name: Read_Write
154 A string, appended to the driver's symbolic port name string, which
155 is registered with the switch to identify the vport. For example,
156 a hypervisor could set this string to "Xen Domain 2 VM 5 Vport 2",
157 and this set of identifiers can be seen on switch management screens
158 to identify the port.
160 vport_delete: Write_Only
161 When written with a "1", will tear down the vport.
163 vport_disable: Write_Only
164 When written with a "1", will transition the vport to a disabled.
165 state. The vport will still be instantiated with the Linux kernel,
166 but it will not be active on the FC link.
167 When written with a "0", will enable the vport.
169 vport_last_state: Read_Only
170 Indicates the previous state of the vport. See the section below on
173 vport_state: Read_Only
174 Indicates the state of the vport. See the section below on
177 vport_type: Read_Only
178 Reflects the FC mechanism used to create the virtual port.
179 Only NPIV is supported currently.
182 For the fc_host class object, the following attributes are added for vports:
184 max_npiv_vports: Read_Only
185 Indicates the maximum number of NPIV-based vports that the
186 driver/adapter can support on the fc_host.
188 npiv_vports_inuse: Read_Only
189 Indicates how many NPIV-based vports have been instantiated on the
192 vport_create: Write_Only
193 A "simple" create interface to instantiate a vport on an fc_host.
194 A "<WWPN>:<WWNN>" string is written to the attribute. The transport
195 then instantiates the vport object and calls the LLDD to create the
196 vport with the role of FCP_Initiator. Each WWN is specified as 16
197 hex characters and may *not* contain any prefixes (e.g. 0x, x, etc).
199 vport_delete: Write_Only
200 A "simple" delete interface to teardown a vport. A "<WWPN>:<WWNN>"
201 string is written to the attribute. The transport will locate the
202 vport on the fc_host with the same WWNs and tear it down. Each WWN
203 is specified as 16 hex characters and may *not* contain any prefixes
210 Vport instantiation consists of two parts:
212 - Creation with the kernel and LLDD. This means all transport and
213 driver data structures are built up, and device objects created.
214 This is equivalent to a driver "attach" on an adapter, which is
215 independent of the adapter's link state.
216 - Instantiation of the vport on the FC link via ELS traffic, etc.
217 This is equivalent to a "link up" and successful link initialization.
219 Further information can be found in the interfaces section below for
222 Once a vport has been instantiated with the kernel/LLDD, a vport state
223 can be reported via the sysfs attribute. The following states exist:
225 FC_VPORT_UNKNOWN - Unknown
226 An temporary state, typically set only while the vport is being
227 instantiated with the kernel and LLDD.
229 FC_VPORT_ACTIVE - Active
230 The vport has been successfully been created on the FC link.
231 It is fully functional.
233 FC_VPORT_DISABLED - Disabled
234 The vport instantiated, but "disabled". The vport is not instantiated
235 on the FC link. This is equivalent to a physical port with the
238 FC_VPORT_LINKDOWN - Linkdown
239 The vport is not operational as the physical link is not operational.
241 FC_VPORT_INITIALIZING - Initializing
242 The vport is in the process of instantiating on the FC link.
243 The LLDD will set this state just prior to starting the ELS traffic
244 to create the vport. This state will persist until the vport is
245 successfully created (state becomes FC_VPORT_ACTIVE) or it fails
246 (state is one of the values below). As this state is transitory,
247 it will not be preserved in the "vport_last_state".
249 FC_VPORT_NO_FABRIC_SUPP - No Fabric Support
250 The vport is not operational. One of the following conditions were
253 - The FC topology is not Point-to-Point
254 - The FC port is not connected to an F_Port
255 - The F_Port has indicated that NPIV is not supported.
257 FC_VPORT_NO_FABRIC_RSCS - No Fabric Resources
258 The vport is not operational. The Fabric failed FDISC with a status
259 indicating that it does not have sufficient resources to complete
262 FC_VPORT_FABRIC_LOGOUT - Fabric Logout
263 The vport is not operational. The Fabric has LOGO'd the N_Port_ID
264 associated with the vport.
266 FC_VPORT_FABRIC_REJ_WWN - Fabric Rejected WWN
267 The vport is not operational. The Fabric failed FDISC with a status
268 indicating that the WWN's are not valid.
270 FC_VPORT_FAILED - VPort Failed
271 The vport is not operational. This is a catchall for all other
275 The following state table indicates the different state transitions:
277 +------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------+
278 | State | Event | New State |
279 +==================+================================+=====================+
280 | n/a | Initialization | Unknown |
281 +------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------+
282 | Unknown: | Link Down | Linkdown |
283 | +--------------------------------+---------------------+
284 | | Link Up & Loop | No Fabric Support |
285 | +--------------------------------+---------------------+
286 | | Link Up & no Fabric | No Fabric Support |
287 | +--------------------------------+---------------------+
288 | | Link Up & FLOGI response | No Fabric Support |
289 | | indicates no NPIV support | |
290 | +--------------------------------+---------------------+
291 | | Link Up & FDISC being sent | Initializing |
292 | +--------------------------------+---------------------+
293 | | Disable request | Disable |
294 +------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------+
295 | Linkdown: | Link Up | Unknown |
296 +------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------+
297 | Initializing: | FDISC ACC | Active |
298 | +--------------------------------+---------------------+
299 | | FDISC LS_RJT w/ no resources | No Fabric Resources |
300 | +--------------------------------+---------------------+
301 | | FDISC LS_RJT w/ invalid | Fabric Rejected WWN |
302 | | pname or invalid nport_id | |
303 | +--------------------------------+---------------------+
304 | | FDISC LS_RJT failed for | Vport Failed |
305 | | other reasons | |
306 | +--------------------------------+---------------------+
307 | | Link Down | Linkdown |
308 | +--------------------------------+---------------------+
309 | | Disable request | Disable |
310 +------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------+
311 | Disable: | Enable request | Unknown |
312 +------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------+
313 | Active: | LOGO received from fabric | Fabric Logout |
314 | +--------------------------------+---------------------+
315 | | Link Down | Linkdown |
316 | +--------------------------------+---------------------+
317 | | Disable request | Disable |
318 +------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------+
319 | Fabric Logout: | Link still up | Unknown |
320 +------------------+--------------------------------+---------------------+
322 The following 4 error states all have the same transitions::
328 Disable request Disable
329 Link goes down Linkdown
332 Transport <-> LLDD Interfaces
333 -----------------------------
335 Vport support by LLDD:
337 The LLDD indicates support for vports by supplying a vport_create()
338 function in the transport template. The presence of this function will
339 cause the creation of the new attributes on the fc_host. As part of
340 the physical port completing its initialization relative to the
341 transport, it should set the max_npiv_vports attribute to indicate the
342 maximum number of vports the driver and/or adapter supports.
347 The LLDD vport_create() syntax is::
349 int vport_create(struct fc_vport *vport, bool disable)
353 ======= ===========================================================
354 vport Is the newly allocated vport object
355 disable If "true", the vport is to be created in a disabled stated.
356 If "false", the vport is to be enabled upon creation.
357 ======= ===========================================================
359 When a request is made to create a new vport (via sgio/netlink, or the
360 vport_create fc_host attribute), the transport will validate that the LLDD
361 can support another vport (e.g. max_npiv_vports > npiv_vports_inuse).
362 If not, the create request will be failed. If space remains, the transport
363 will increment the vport count, create the vport object, and then call the
364 LLDD's vport_create() function with the newly allocated vport object.
366 As mentioned above, vport creation is divided into two parts:
368 - Creation with the kernel and LLDD. This means all transport and
369 driver data structures are built up, and device objects created.
370 This is equivalent to a driver "attach" on an adapter, which is
371 independent of the adapter's link state.
372 - Instantiation of the vport on the FC link via ELS traffic, etc.
373 This is equivalent to a "link up" and successful link initialization.
375 The LLDD's vport_create() function will not synchronously wait for both
376 parts to be fully completed before returning. It must validate that the
377 infrastructure exists to support NPIV, and complete the first part of
378 vport creation (data structure build up) before returning. We do not
379 hinge vport_create() on the link-side operation mainly because:
381 - The link may be down. It is not a failure if it is. It simply
382 means the vport is in an inoperable state until the link comes up.
383 This is consistent with the link bouncing post vport creation.
384 - The vport may be created in a disabled state.
385 - This is consistent with a model where: the vport equates to a
386 FC adapter. The vport_create is synonymous with driver attachment
387 to the adapter, which is independent of link state.
391 special error codes have been defined to delineate infrastructure
392 failure cases for quicker resolution.
394 The expected behavior for the LLDD's vport_create() function is:
396 - Validate Infrastructure:
398 - If the driver or adapter cannot support another vport, whether
399 due to improper firmware, (a lie about) max_npiv, or a lack of
400 some other resource - return VPCERR_UNSUPPORTED.
401 - If the driver validates the WWN's against those already active on
402 the adapter and detects an overlap - return VPCERR_BAD_WWN.
403 - If the driver detects the topology is loop, non-fabric, or the
404 FLOGI did not support NPIV - return VPCERR_NO_FABRIC_SUPP.
406 - Allocate data structures. If errors are encountered, such as out
407 of memory conditions, return the respective negative Exxx error code.
408 - If the role is FCP Initiator, the LLDD is to :
410 - Call scsi_host_alloc() to allocate a scsi_host for the vport.
411 - Call scsi_add_host(new_shost, &vport->dev) to start the scsi_host
412 and bind it as a child of the vport device.
413 - Initializes the fc_host attribute values.
415 - Kick of further vport state transitions based on the disable flag and
416 link state - and return success (zero).
418 LLDD Implementers Notes:
420 - It is suggested that there be a different fc_function_templates for
421 the physical port and the virtual port. The physical port's template
422 would have the vport_create, vport_delete, and vport_disable functions,
423 while the vports would not.
424 - It is suggested that there be different scsi_host_templates
425 for the physical port and virtual port. Likely, there are driver
426 attributes, embedded into the scsi_host_template, that are applicable
427 for the physical port only (link speed, topology setting, etc). This
428 ensures that the attributes are applicable to the respective scsi_host.
431 Vport Disable/Enable:
433 The LLDD vport_disable() syntax is::
435 int vport_disable(struct fc_vport *vport, bool disable)
439 ======= =======================================
440 vport Is vport to be enabled or disabled
441 disable If "true", the vport is to be disabled.
442 If "false", the vport is to be enabled.
443 ======= =======================================
445 When a request is made to change the disabled state on a vport, the
446 transport will validate the request against the existing vport state.
447 If the request is to disable and the vport is already disabled, the
448 request will fail. Similarly, if the request is to enable, and the
449 vport is not in a disabled state, the request will fail. If the request
450 is valid for the vport state, the transport will call the LLDD to
451 change the vport's state.
453 Within the LLDD, if a vport is disabled, it remains instantiated with
454 the kernel and LLDD, but it is not active or visible on the FC link in
455 any way. (see Vport Creation and the 2 part instantiation discussion).
456 The vport will remain in this state until it is deleted or re-enabled.
457 When enabling a vport, the LLDD reinstantiates the vport on the FC
458 link - essentially restarting the LLDD statemachine (see Vport States
464 The LLDD vport_delete() syntax is::
466 int vport_delete(struct fc_vport *vport)
470 vport: Is vport to delete
472 When a request is made to delete a vport (via sgio/netlink, or via the
473 fc_host or fc_vport vport_delete attributes), the transport will call
474 the LLDD to terminate the vport on the FC link, and teardown all other
475 datastructures and references. If the LLDD completes successfully,
476 the transport will teardown the vport objects and complete the vport
477 removal. If the LLDD delete request fails, the vport object will remain,
478 but will be in an indeterminate state.
480 Within the LLDD, the normal code paths for a scsi_host teardown should
481 be followed. E.g. If the vport has a FCP Initiator role, the LLDD
482 will call fc_remove_host() for the vports scsi_host, followed by
483 scsi_remove_host() and scsi_host_put() for the vports scsi_host.
487 fc_host port_type attribute:
488 There is a new fc_host port_type value - FC_PORTTYPE_NPIV. This value
489 must be set on all vport-based fc_hosts. Normally, on a physical port,
490 the port_type attribute would be set to NPORT, NLPORT, etc based on the
491 topology type and existence of the fabric. As this is not applicable to
492 a vport, it makes more sense to report the FC mechanism used to create
496 FC drivers are required to call fc_remove_host() prior to calling
497 scsi_remove_host(). This allows the fc_host to tear down all remote
498 ports prior the scsi_host being torn down. The fc_remove_host() call
499 was updated to remove all vports for the fc_host as well.
502 Transport supplied functions
503 ----------------------------
505 The following functions are supplied by the FC-transport for use by LLDs.
507 ================== =========================
508 fc_vport_create create a vport
509 fc_vport_terminate detach and remove a vport
510 ================== =========================
515 * fc_vport_create - Admin App or LLDD requests creation of a vport
516 * @shost: scsi host the virtual port is connected to.
517 * @ids: The world wide names, FC4 port roles, etc for
521 * This routine assumes no locks are held on entry.
524 fc_vport_create(struct Scsi_Host *shost, struct fc_vport_identifiers *ids)
527 * fc_vport_terminate - Admin App or LLDD requests termination of a vport
528 * @vport: fc_vport to be terminated
530 * Calls the LLDD vport_delete() function, then deallocates and removes
531 * the vport from the shost and object tree.
534 * This routine assumes no locks are held on entry.
537 fc_vport_terminate(struct fc_vport *vport)
540 FC BSG support (CT & ELS passthru, and more)
541 ============================================
551 The following people have contributed to this document:
559 james.smart@emulex.com