> # Traffic Map

> As in Cisco MDS SAN-OS Release 3.3(1a) and NX-OS Release 4.1(1a), NPV supports traffic management by allowing you to select and configure the external interfaces that the server uses to connect to the core switches.

> Note When the NPV traffic management is configured, the server uses only the configured external interfaces. Any other available external interface will not be used.

> The NPV traffic management feature provides the following benefits:

> - Facilitates traffic engineering by providing dedicated external interfaces for the servers connected to NPV.
> - Uses the shortest path by selecting external interfaces per server interface.
> - Uses the persistent FC ID feature by providing the same traffic path after a link break, or reboot of the NPV or core switch.
> - Balances the load by allowing the user to evenly distribute the load across external interfaces.

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