HP StorageWorks 2/64 - Core Switch Command Reference Manual page 805

Fibre Channel The primary protocol used for building SANs to transmit data between servers, switches, and
storage devices. Unlike IP and Ethernet, Fibre Channel was designed to support the needs of
storage devices of all types. It is a high-speed, serial, bidirectional, topology-independent,
multiprotocol, and highly scalable interconnection between computers, peripherals, and
networks.
Fibre Channel A protocol service that supports communication between Fibre Channel service providers. See
transport also FSP.
FICON A protocol used on IBM mainframes. HP StorageWorks switch FICON support enables an HP
StorageWorks fabric to transmit FICON format data between FICON-capable servers and
storage.
FID Fabric ID. Unique identifier of a fabric in a meta-SAN.
fill word An IDLE or ARB ordered set that is transmitted during breaks between data frames to keep the
Fibre Channel link active.
firmware The basic operating system provided with the hardware.
firmware An HP StorageWorks switch feature that prevents an incompatible version of the HP Fabric
watermarking OS to be downloaded to the HP StorageWorks 2 GB series switches.
FL_Port Fabric loop port. A port that is able to transmit under fabric protocol and also has
arbitrated-loop capabilities. Can be used to connect an NL_Port to a switch. See also F_Port,
Fx_Port.
flash Programmable nonvolatile RAM (NVRAM) memory that maintains its contents without power.
FLOGI Fabric login. The process by which an N_Port determines whether a fabric is present and, if
so, exchanges service parameters with it. See also PLOGI.
FOTP Fiber Optic Test Procedure. Standards developed and published by the Electronic Industries
Association (EIA) under the EIA-RS-455 series of standards.
FPD Field-programmable device. Interchangeable with "PLD".
FPGA Field-programmable gate array. An FPD that allows high logic capacity.
fractional The partial use of a link to send data back and forth, with a maximum of 254 Class 4
bandwidth connections per N_Port.
frame The Fibre Channel structure used to transmit data between ports. Consists of a start-of-frame
delimiter, header, optional headers, data payload, cyclic redundancy check (CRC), and
end-of-frame delimiter. There are two types of frames: link control frames (transmission
acknowledgements and so forth) and data frames.
frame relay A protocol that uses logical channels, as used in X.25. Provides very little error-checking
ability. Discards frames that arrive with errors. Allows a certain level of bandwidth between
two locations (known as a committed information rate: CIR) to be guaranteed by service
provider. If CIR is exceeded for short periods (known as bursts), the network accommodates
the extra data, if spare capacity is available. Frame relay is therefore known as bandwidth on
demand.
FRU Field-replaceable unit. A component that can be replaced onsite.
FS Fibre Channel service. A service that is defined by Fibre Channel standards and exists at a
well-known address. For example, the Simple Name Server is a Fibre Channel service. See
also FSP.
Fabric OS 5.x command reference guide 805