Address Processes - Sun Microsystems storagetek sl500 Reference Manual

An NL_Port attempts to establish its previous acquired address before attempting
to acquire another address. This occurs when the NL_Port is powered on,
experiences a power-on reset, recognizes a LIP (AL_PD or AL_PS), or experiences
any other event that causes the NL_Port to lose communications.
Note – Sun StorageTek libraries may use a hard-assigned address (entered through
the Library Console or with the Horizon Library Monitor) and attempt to assign
that address during loop initialization. If unable to obtain that address, the libraries
accept soft addresses by the system.

Address Processes

Initialization involves address acquisition as described in the following sections.
Arbitrated Loop Physical Address
When an NL_Port enters the loop (such as a power-on), it begins initialization to
acquire an address and to notify other ports there is a change in configuration.
Note – If there is an exchange in process when a LIP begins, that exchange is
disrupted and possible frame corruption could occur, which would result in an
Upper Level Protocol timeout.
If the NL_Port does not have a valid address, it begins the initialization
■
sequence with LIP(F7,F7).
If the NL_Port has a valid address, it begins initialization with LIP
■
(F7,AL_PS).
Loop Initialization Fabric Assigned Address
StorageTek libraries support the process of Loop Initialization Fabric Assigned
(LIFA) addresses. This process is supported when the library is operating in Public
Loop mode.
Loop Initialization Previously Acquired
StorageTek libraries support the process of Loop Initialization Previously Acquired
(LIPA) addresses. This process is supported when the library has previously
acquired an address.
Loop Initialization Hard Assigned
StorageTek libraries support the process of Loop Initialization Hard Assigned
(LIHA) addresses. This process is supported when the library is first powered-on
and a configuration parameter enables it.
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FC-AL Features