Embodiments include methods, systems, and computer program products for routing mode support in a switched fabric network. A fabric login payload is built at a device to establish a plurality of communication parameters with a switched fabric network. A routing mode capability of the device is determined. One or more routing support bits are configured in the fabric login payload based on the routing mode capability of the device. The fabric login payload is sent to the switched fabric network to establish communication between the device and a network device of the switched fabric network.