> # Information About IPv4

> Cisco MDS 9000 Family supports IP version 4 (IPv4) on Gigabit Ethernet interfaces. Both FCIP and iSCSI rely on TCP/IP for network connectivity. On each IPS module or MPS-14/2 module, connectivity is provided in the form of Gigabit Ethernet interfaces that are appropriately configured.

> A new port mode, called IPS, is defined for Gigabit Ethernet ports on each IPS module or MPS-14/2 module. IP storage ports are implicitly set to IPS mode, so it can only be used to perform iSCSI and FCIP storage functions. IP storage ports do not bridge Ethernet frames or route other IP packets.

> Each IPS port represents a single virtual Fibre Channel host in the Fibre Channel SAN. All the iSCSI hosts connected to this IPS port are merged and multiplexed through the single Fibre Channel host.

> Note The Gigabit Ethernet interfaces on the MPS-14/2 module do not support EtherChannel.

> Both FCIP and iSCSI rely on TCP/IP for network connectivity. On each IPS module or MPS-14/2 module, connectivity is provided in the form of Gigabit Ethernet interfaces that are appropriately configured. This section covers the steps required to configure IP for subsequent use by FCIP and iSCSI.

> Note For information about configuring FCIP, see "Configuring FCIP." For information about configuring iSCSI, see "Configuring iSCSI."

> A new port mode, called IPS, is defined for Gigabit Ethernet ports on each IPS module or MPS-14/2 module. IP storage ports are implicitly set to IPS mode, so it can only be used to perform iSCSI and FCIP storage functions. IP storage ports do not bridge Ethernet frames or route other IP packets.

> Each IPS port represents a single virtual Fibre Channel host in the Fibre Channel SAN. All the iSCSI hosts connected to this IPS port are merged and multiplexed through the single Fibre Channel host.

> In large scale iSCSI deployments where the Fibre Channel storage subsystems do not require explicit LUN access control for every host device, use of proxy-initiator mode simplifies the configuration.

> Note The Gigabit Ethernet interfaces on the MPS-14/2 module do not support EtherChannel.

> Note To configure IPv6 on a Gigabit Ethernet interface, see the "Configuring IPv6 Addressing and Enabling IPv6 Routing" topic.

> Tip Gigabit Ethernet ports on any IPS module or MPS-14/2 module should not be configured in the same Ethernet broadcast domain as the management Ethernet port. They should be configured in a different broadcast domain, either by using separate standalone hubs or switches or by using separate VLANs.

> This section includes the following topics:

> - Interface Descriptions
> - Beacon Mode
> - About VLANs for Gigabit Ethernet
> - Interface Subnet Requirements

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