Public Versus Private Loops; Public Loop Connectivity - HP StorageWorks 64 - SAN Director Switch Planning Manual

Public Versus Private Loops

Arbitrated loop switches support operation of public and private loops as follows:
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Figure 25: Public loop connectivity
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SAN High Availability Planning Guide
Public loop — A public loop is connected to a switched fabric (through the
switch B_Port) and the switch has an active embedded FL_Port that is user
transparent. All devices attached to the loop can communicate with each
other, and public devices attached to the loop can communicate with
fabric-attached devices. FL_Port operation is not affected by the switch
operating mode (shared or switched). Public loop connectivity is illustrated in
Figure 25.
Private loop — A private loop is not connected to a switched fabric and the
switch's embedded E_Port and FL_Port are inactive. All devices attached to
the loop can only communicate with each other. Private loop connectivity is
illustrated in Figure 26
Planning Considerations for Fibre Channel Topologies
on page 66.
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