Is a LIF hosted by a physical port on a node?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Sometimes
• D. Not defined

Answer: (A)

A LIF (logical interface) in ONTAP is created on a specific node and bound to a physical data port (or to a VLAN subinterface on that port). The physical port provides the actual network path, while the LIF provides the IP presence and services (NFS, iSCSI, etc.) over that path. Because the LIF is tied to that port, it is hosted by the physical port on the node. You can move or rebind a LIF to another port or VLAN as needed, but its hosting is defined by the underlying physical port. So the statement is true.