> # FCIP Compression

> The FCIP compression feature allows IP packets to be compressed on the FCIP link if this feature is enabled on that link. By default the FCIP compression is disabled. When enabled, the software defaults to using the auto mode (if a mode is not specified).

> Note The auto mode (default) selects the appropriate compression scheme based on the card type and bandwidth of the link (the bandwidth of the link configured in the FCIP profile’s TCP parameters).

> Table 2-4 lists the modes used for different cards.

> Table 2-4 Algorithm Classification
> Mode | IPS Card | MPS 14/2 Card | MSM-18/4/MDS 9222i/SSN-16
> --- | --- | --- | ---
> mode1 | SW | HW | HW
> mode2 | SW | SW | HW
> mode3 | SW | SW | HW

> Note With SAN-OS Release 3.3(1) and later and NX-OS Release 4.x, all compression options on the MDS 9222i switch and the MSM-18/4 module, mean hardware compression. Starting with Release 4.2(1), only auto compression and mode 2 compression are supported on the MDS 9222i switch, the MSM-18/4 module, and the SSN-16 module.

> Table 2-5 lists the performance settings for different cards.

> Table 2-5 Performance Settings
> Bandwidth | IPS Cards | MPS 14/2 Card | MSM-18/4/MDS 9222i/SSN-16
> --- | --- | --- | ---
> Any | - | - | auto
> >25 Mbps | mode 1 | mode 1 | auto
> 10-25 Mbps | mode 2 | mode 2 | auto
> 10 Mbps | mode 3 | mode 3 | auto

> Note The Cisco MDS 9216i and 9222i Switches also support the IP compression feature. The integrated supervisor module has the same hardware components that are available in the MPS-14/2 module.

> Caution | The compression modes in Cisco SAN-OS Release 2.0(1b) and later and NX-OS Release 4.x are incompatible with the compression modes in Cisco SAN-OS Release 1.3(1) and earlier.

> Tip While upgrading from Cisco SAN-OS Release 1.x to Cisco SAN-OS Release 2.0(1b) or later and NX-OS Release 4.x, we recommend that you disable compression before the upgrade procedure, and then enable the required mode after the upgrade procedure.

> If both ends of the FCIP link are running Cisco SAN-OS Release 2.0(1b) or later and NX-OS Release 4.x and you enable compression at one end of the FCIP tunnel, be sure to enable it at the other end of the link.

> Copyright 2010-2013, Cisco Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.