E_Port Segmentation - EMC Connectrix EC-1200 Planning Manual

Fibre Channel Switching Concepts
2

E_Port Segmentation

2-10
Connectrix v6.02 Planning Guide
When an ISL between two separate fabrics is connected, the two
switches exchange operating parameters to determine if the switches
are compatible and can join to form a single fabric. If the switches are
incompatible, the connecting E_Port at each switch segments to
prevent the creation of a single fabric. A segmented link transmits
only Class F traffic; the link does not transmit Class 2 or Class 3
traffic.
The following conditions cause E_Ports to segment:
Incompatible operating parameters — Either the R_A_TOV or
E_D_TOV is inconsistent between the two switches.
Duplicate Domain IDs — One or more domain ID conflicts are
detected.
Incompatible zoning configurations — Zoning configurations for
the switches are not compatible. (Refer to Chapter 3 for more
information on zoning.)
Build fabric protocol error — A protocol error is detected during
the process of forming the fabric.
No principal switch — No switch in the fabric is capable of
becoming the principal switch.
Unresponsive switch — Each switch in a fabric periodically
verifies operation of all attached switches. An ISL E_Port
segments if the attached switch does not respond to a verification
request.
Incompatible operating modes — One fabric is operating in
McDATA Fabric mode and the other is operating in Open Fabric
mode.