Protocol Layers - Compaq RAID Array 4100 User Manual

D-8 Compaq StorageWorks RAID Array 4100 User Guide

Protocol Layers

Five protocol layers are included in the Fibre Channel standard. They are FC-0
through FC-4.
FC-0 defines the physical characteristics of the interface used. It also includes
the cable type, connectors, drivers, (short-wave lasers, long-wave lasers)
transmitters, and receivers.
FC-1 defines the 8B/10B encoding/decoding and transmission protocol used to
integrate data with the clock information necessary for serial transmission.
FC-2 defines the framing and signaling protocol level. It defines how data is
transported over the Fibre Channel cable. Frames are visible, data flow is not
seen.
FC-3 supports common services. This is the layer that provides the transport
service calls to all the FC-4 modules.
FC-4 supports mapping of the upper level protocols (SCSI protocol) to the
lower levels of Fibre Channel.
Figure D-5 shows the relationship between the Fibre Channel layers.
FC- 4 IPI SCSI
FC-3
FC-2 Framing Protocol / Flow Control
FC-1
133 266
FC-0
Mbit/s Mbit/s
Media: Optical - Laser
Figure D-5. Fibre Channel layers
Channels
HIPPI SBCCS
Common Services
Encode / Decode
531 1.062
Mbit/s Gbit/s
(Future)
Higher Rates