Address identifier scaling in converged networks

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention allow for address scaling of existing addresses in a FC, FCoE, CEE or other type of network. More specifically, subaddresses can be used in conjunction with existing addresses, so that a combination of a subaddress and existing address can identify an addressable entity. Thus, multiple entities can be share a single existing address and be distinguished among each other by way of their respective subaddresses. Some embodiments of the invention allow for use of the inventive subaddressing scheme in conjunction with devices or network elements (e.g., gateways, switches, etc.) that may not be subaddressing aware. Further embodiments allow for the multiple distinct devices to communicate with a single Fiber Channel switching element through a single port by using N_Port_ID Virtualization.