Fibre Channel

The primary protocol for building SANs to transmit data between servers, switches, and

 

storage devices. Unlike IP and Ethernet, Fibre Channel is designed to support the needs

 

of storage devices of all types. It is a high-speed, serial, bidirectional,

 

topology-independent protocol, and is a highly scalable interconnection between

 

computers, peripherals, and networks.

fill word

An IDLE or ARB ordered set that is transmitted during breaks between data frames to

 

keep the link active.

FLOGI

The process by which an N_Port determines whether a fabric is present and, if so,

 

exchanges service parameters with it. See also PLOGI.

FL_Port

Fabric loop port. A port that is able to transmit under fabric protocol and has arbitrated

 

loop capabilities. Can also be used to connect an NL_Port to a switch. See also U_Port.

frame

The Fibre Channel structure used to transmit data between ports. Consists of a

 

start-of-frame delimiter, header, optional headers, data payload, cyclic redundancy

 

check, and end-of-frame delimiter. There are two types of frames: link control frames

 

and data frames. See also packet.

FRU

Field-replaceable unit. A component that can be replaced on site.

FS

Fibre Channel Service. A service that is defined by FC standards and exists at a

 

well-known address. The Simple Name Server, for example, is an FC service.

FSP

Fibre Channel Service Protocol. The common protocol for all fabric services; it is

 

transparent to the fabric type or topology.

FSPF

Fabric shortest path first. HP routing protocol for FC switches.

Fx_Port

A fabric port that can operate as an F_Port or FL_Port.

G_Port

Generic port. A port that can operate as an E_Port or F_Port. A port is defined as a

 

G_Port when it is not yet connected or has not yet assumed a specific function in the

 

fabric. See also E_Port, F_Port, U_Port.

hard address

The AL_PA that an NL_Port attempts to acquire during loop initialization. See also

 

defined zone configuration.

idle

Continuous transmission of an ordered set over an FC link when no data is being

 

transmitted, to keep the link active and maintain bit, byte, and word synchronization.

integrated fabric

The fabric created by connecting multiple HP switches with multiple ISL cables, and

 

configuring the switches to handle traffic as a seamless group.

ISL trunking

The distribution of traffic over the combined bandwidth of multiple ISLs. A set of trunked

 

ISLs is called a trunking group; the ports in a trunking group are called trunking ports.

isolated E_Port

An E_Port that is online but not operational due to overlapping domain IDs or

 

nonidentical parameters (such as E_D_TOVs). See also E_D_TOV.

K28.5

A special 10-bit character that indicates the beginning of a transmission word that

 

performs FC control and signaling functions. The first seven bits are the common

 

pattern.

kernel flash

Flash (temporary) memory connected to the peripheral bus of the processor and visible

 

within the processor’s memory space. Also called user flash.

Cisco MDS 9124e Fabric Switch for HP c-Class BladeSystem 59

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Cisco Systems 9124E Fibre Channel, Fill word, FLPort, Frame, FxPort, GPort, Hard address, Idle, Integrated fabric, K28.5