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ports (N_ports). Composed of one or more related
sequences, and can work in either one or both
directions.
expansion port (E_port). A port is designated an
expansion port (E_port) when it is used as an
inter-switch expansion port to connect to the E_port of
another switch, to build a larger switch fabric.
F
fabric. A collection of Fibre Channel switches and
devices, such as hosts and storage. Also referred to as
a "switched fabric."
fabric login (FLOGI). The process by which a device
gains access to the fabric.
fabric loop port (FL_port). A fabric port that is loop
capable. Used to connect node loop ports (NL_ports) to
the switch in a loop configuration.
Fabric Manager. An optionally licensed software
feature. Fabric Manager is a GUI that allows for
fabric-wide administration and management. Switches
can be treated as groups, and actions such as firmware
downloads can be performed simultaneously.
fabric mode. One of the modes for a loop port
(L_port). An L_port is in fabric mode when it is
connected to a port that is not loop capable and is using
fabric protocol. See also loop port and loop mode.
fabric name. The unique identifier assigned to a fabric
and communicated during login and port discovery.
Fabric OS. An operating system made up of two
software components: the firmware that initializes and
manages the switch hardware, and diagnostics.
fabric port (F_port). A port that is able to transmit
under fabric protocol and interface over links. Can be
used to connect a node port (N_port) to a switch. See
also fabric loop port and Fx_port.
Fabric Watch. An optionally licensed software feature.
Fabric Watch can be accessed through either the
command line or Advanced Web Tools, and it provides
the ability to set thresholds for monitoring fabric
conditions.
failover. The process of passing control from one
redundant unit to another, in a nondisruptive manner.
FAN. Fabric address notification.
FC. See fibre channel.
FCA. See Fibre Channel arbitrated loop.
FC-AL. See Fibre Channel arbitrated loop.
FC-AL-3. The Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop standard
defined by ANSI. Defined on top of the FC-PH
standards.
FCC. Federal Communications Commission.
FC-FLA. The Fibre Channel Fabric Loop Attach
standard defined by ANSI.
FCP. See Fibre Channel protocol.
FC-PDLA. The Fibre Channel Private Loop Direct
Attach standard defined by ANSI. Applies to the
operation of peripheral devices on a private loop.
FC-PH-1,2,3. The Fibre Channel Physical and
Signaling Interface standards defined by ANSI. (first,
second, and third generations)
FC-PI. The Fibre Channel Physical Interface standard
defined by ANSI.
FCS switch. See fabric configuration server switch.
FC-SW-2. The second generation of the Fibre Channel
Switch Fabric standard defined by ANSI. Specifies tools
and algorithms for the interconnection and initialization
of Fibre Channel switches in order to create a
multiswitch Fibre Channel fabric.
Fibre Channel (FC). 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 arbitrated loop (FC-AL). A standard
defined on top of the FC-PH standard. It defines the
arbitration on a loop where several FC nodes share a
common medium.
Fibre Channel protocol (FCP). The protocol for
transmitting commands, data, and status using Fibre
Channel FC-FS exchanges and information units. Fibre
Channel is a high-speed serial architecture that allows
either optical or electrical connections at data rates from
265 Mbps up to 4–Gbps.
Fibre Channel service (FS). 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 Fibre Channel service
protocol.
Fibre Channel service protocol (FSP). The common
protocol for all fabric services, transparent to the fabric
type or topology. See also Fibre Channel service.
Fibre Channel shortest path first (FSPF). A routing
protocol used by Fibre Channel switches.
53
Glossary
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