Finisar Brocade Fabric Watch specification

Domain ID As applies to SilkWorm switches, a unique number between 1 and 239 that identifies the switch to the fabric and is used in routing frames. Usually automatically assigned by the switch, but can be manually assigned.

E_D_TOV Error Detect Time-out Value; the minimum amount of time a target waits for a sequence to complete before initiating recovery. Can also be defined as the maximum time allowed for a round-trip transmission before an error condition is declared. See also R_A_TOV, RR_TOV.

E_Port

EE_Credit

Expansion Port; a type of switch port that can be connected to an E_Port on another switch to create an ISL. See also ISL.

End-to-end Credit; the number of receive buffers allocated by a recipient port to an originating port. Used by Class 1 and 2 services to manage the exchange of frames across the fabric between source and destination. See also End-to-end Flow Control, BB_Credit.

EIA Rack A storage rack that meets the standards set by the Electronics Industry Association.

Enabled Zone Configuration

End-to-end Flow Control

Error

The currently enabled configuration of zones. Only one configuration can be enabled at a time. See also Defined Configuration, Zone Configuration.

Governs flow of class 1 and 2 frames between N_Ports. See also EE_Credit.

As applies to fibre channel, a missing or corrupted frame, time-out, loss of synchronization, or loss of signal (link errors). See also Loop Failure.

Exchange	The highest level fibre channel mechanism used for communication between
	N_Ports. Composed of one or more related sequences, and can work in either one
	or both directions.
F_Port	Fabric Port; a port that is able to transmit under fabric protocol and interface over
	links. Can be used to connect an N_Port to a switch. See also FL_Port, Fx_Port.
Fabric	A fibre channel network containing two or more switches in addition to hosts and
	devices. May also be referred to as a switched fabric. See also Topology, SAN,
	Cascade.
Fabric Name	The unique identifier assigned to a fabric and communicated during login and
	port discovery.

Fabric OSTM

FC-AL-3

FC-FLA

FCP

FC-PH-1, 2, 3 FC-PI FC-PLDA

The proprietary operating system on Brocade switches.

The Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop standard defined by ANSI. Defined on top of the FC-PH standards.

The Fibre Channel Fabric Loop Attach standard defined by ANSI.

Fibre Channel Protocol; mapping of protocols onto the fibre channel standard protocols. For example, SCSI FCP maps SCSI-3 onto fibre channel.

The Fibre Channel Physical and Signalling Interface standards defined by ANSI.

The Fibre Channel Physical Interface standard defined by ANSI.

The Fibre Channel Private Loop Direct Attach standard defined by ANSI. Applies to the operation of peripheral devices on a private loop.

Glossary-4

Fabric Watch User’s Guide

Brocade Fabric Watch specifications

Finisar Brocade Fabric Watch is an advanced network management solution designed to simplify the monitoring and administration of storage networks. Its primary goal is to enhance the performance and reliability of data center operations by providing comprehensive visualization and management capabilities.

One of the standout features of Fabric Watch is its ability to deliver real-time monitoring of the health and performance of network devices. This is critical for organizations that require constant uptime and high availability for their storage systems. Fabric Watch continuously assesses the status of switches, routers, and other devices within the fabric, enabling administrators to quickly identify potential issues before they escalate into problems that could disrupt operations.

The technology behind Fabric Watch encompasses various innovative aspects that enhance its functionality. For instance, the solution uses advanced analytics to assess historical performance trends, allowing IT teams to predict potential bottlenecks and optimize resource allocation effectively. This predictive capability not only improves operational efficiency but also reduces the risk of downtime, ensuring that organizations can maintain consistent access to critical data.

Furthermore, Fabric Watch supports a range of protocols and standards, making it compatible with various environments and configurations. This flexibility is crucial for companies that have heterogeneous systems and diverse technology stacks. As a result, organizations can deploy Fabric Watch across different platforms, ensuring a unified approach to network management.

Another notable characteristic of Fabric Watch is its intuitive user interface, which makes it user-friendly for administrators of varying skill levels. The dashboard presents a centralized view of the entire storage network, complete with graphical representations of performance metrics, alerts, and health statuses. This visual approach facilitates rapid decision-making, allowing teams to address issues quickly and maintain optimal performance.

In addition, Fabric Watch integrates seamlessly with existing data center management tools and workflows, providing a holistic view of the infrastructure. This integration capability supports broader initiatives around automation and orchestration, enabling organizations to create more streamlined and efficient operational processes.

In summary, Finisar Brocade Fabric Watch stands out as a robust solution for managing and monitoring storage networks. Its real-time monitoring, predictive analytics, compatibility across platforms, and user-friendly interface make it an essential tool for IT teams seeking to enhance performance and reliability in today’s demanding data environments. By employing Fabric Watch, organizations can better navigate the complexities of their storage networks, ensuring they remain agile and responsive to business needs.