IBM F16 User Manual page 109

can also be in participating mode or nonparticipating
mode. See also loop port, fabric mode, participating
mode, and nonparticipating mode.
loop port (L_port). A node port (NL_port) or fabric
port (FL_port) that has arbitrated loop capabilities. An
L_port can be either in fabric mode or loop mode. See
also fabric mode, loop mode, nonparticipating mode,
and participating mode.
loop port state machine (LPSM). The logical entity
that performs arbitrated loop protocols and defines the
behavior of loop ports (L_ports) when they require
access to an arbitrated loop.
L_port. See loop port.
LPSM. See loop port state machine.
LSR. Link state record.
LSU. Link state update.
LUN. See logical unit number.
LWL. See long wavelength.
MAC. See media access controller.
management information base (MIB). A simple
network management protocol (SNMP) structure to help
with device management, providing configuration and
device information.
master port. As relates to trunking, the port that
determines the routing paths for all traffic flowing
through the trunking group. One of the ports in the first
inter-switch link (ISL) in the trunking group is designated
as the master port for that group. See also ISL
Trunking.
media access controller (MAC). Algorithms that
control access to physical media, especially in shared
media networks.
MIB. See management information base.
multicast. The transmission of data from a single
source to multiple specified node ports (N_ports), as
opposed to all the ports on the network. See also
broadcast and unicast.
multimode. A fiber optic cabling specification that
allows up to 500 m (1640.5 ft) between devices.
name server. Frequently used to indicate Simple
Name Server. See also simple name server.
NL_port. See node loop port.
node. A Fibre Channel device that contains a node
port (N_port) or node loop port (NL_port).
node loop port (NL_port). A node port that is loop
capable. Used to connect an equipment port to the
fabric in a loop configuration through a fabric loop port
(FL_port).
node name. The unique identifier for a node,
communicated during login and port discovery.
node port (N_port). A node port that is not loop
capable. Used to connect an equipment port to the
fabric.
nonparticipating mode. A mode in which a loop port
(L_port) in a loop is inactive and cannot arbitrate or
send frames, but can retransmit any received
transmissions. This mode is entered if there are more
than 127 devices in a loop and an arbitrated loop
physical address (AL_PA) cannot be acquired. See also
participating mode.
nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM).
Random access memory (storage) that retains its
contents after the electrical power to the machine is
shut off. A specific part of NVRAM is set aside for use
by the system ROS for the boot device list.
N_port. See node port.
NVRAM. See nonvolatile random access memory.
Nx_port. A node port that can operate as either a
node port (N_port) or node loop port (NL_port). See
also node port and node loop port.
OFC. Open fibre control.
operating system (OS). A collection of system
programs that control the overall operation of a
computer system.
ordered set. A transmission word that uses 8b/10b
mapping and begins with the K28.5 character. Ordered
sets occur outside of frames, and include frame
delimiters, primitive signals, and primitive sequences.
Ordered sets are used to differentiate Fibre Channel
control information from data frames and to manage the
transport of frames. See also frame delimiter, primitive
signal, and primitive sequence.
OS. See operating system.
packet. A set of information transmitted across a
network. See also frame.
participating mode. A mode in which a loop port
(L_port) in a loop has a valid arbitrated loop physical
address (AL_PA) and can arbitrate, send frames, and
retransmit received transmissions. See also
nonparticipating mode.
path selection. The selection of a transmission path
through the fabric. Switches use the Fibre Channel
shortest path first (FSPF) protocol.
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Glossary