Glossary60
L_Port Loop port. A node port (NL_Port) or fabric port (FL_Port) that has arbitrated loop
capabilities. An L_Port can be in one of two modes:
•Fabric mode: Connected to a port that is not loop capable and is using fabric
protocol.
•Loop mode: In an arbitrated loop and using loop protocol. An L_Por t in loop mode
can also be in participating mode or non-participating mode. See also
non-participating mode.
latency The time required to transmit a frame from the time it is sent until it arrives. Together,
latency and bandwidth define the speed and capacity of a link or system.
link With respect to FC, a physical connection between two ports, consisting of both
transmit and receive fibers.
link services A protocol for link-related actions.
LIP Loop initialization primitive. The signal that begins initialization in a loop. It indicates
either loop failure or the resetting of a node.
LM_TOV Loop master time-out value. The minimum time that the loop master waits for a loop
initialization sequence to return.
loop failure Loss of signal within a loop for any period of time; loss of synchronization for longer
than the time-out value.
Loop_ID A hexadecimal value representing one of the 127 possible AL_PA values in an
arbitrated loop. See also AL_PA.
loop initialization The logical procedure used by an L_Port to discover its environment. Can be used to
assign AL_PA addresses, detect loop failure, or reset a node. See alsoAL_PA.
LPSM Loop port state machine. The logical entity that performs arbitrated loop protocols and
defines the behavior of L_Ports when they require access to an arbitrated loop. See also
L_Port.
LWL Long wavelength. A type of fiber optic cabling that is based on 1300 mm lasers and
supports link speeds up to 2 Gb/s. May also refer to the type of transceiver. See also
SWL.
master port The port that determines the routing paths for all traffic flowing through a trunking
group. One of the ports in the first ISL in the trunking group is designated as the master
port for that group. See also ISL trunking.
MIB Management Information Base. An SNMP structure to help with device management,
providing configuration and device information. See also SNMP.
multicast The transmission of data from a single source to multiple specified N_Ports (as opposed
to all ports on the network).
N_Port Node port. A port on a node that can connect to an FC port or to another N_Port in a
point-to-point connection.
name server A term frequently used to indicate a Simple Name Server (SNS). See also SNS.
NL_Port Node loop port. A node port that has arbitrated loop capabilities. Used to connect an
equipment port to the fabric in a loop configuration through an FL_Port. See also node.