EMULEX MODEL 355 SAN STORAGE SWITCH

USER’S GUIDE

APPENDIX E: GLOSSARY

APPENDIX E

Glossary

AL_PA or Arbitrated Loop

A one-byte value used to identify a port in an Arbitrated Loop topology. The value

Physical Address

of the AL_PA corresponds to bits 7:0 of the 24-bit Native Address Identifier.

 

 

Arbitration

The process of selecting one respondent from a group requesting service at the

 

same time.

 

 

Close (CLS)

An Arbitrated Loop protocol used to terminate a loop circuit.

 

 

Current Fill Word

The fill word that the Loop Port State Machine uses when a fill word is to be

 

transmitted.

 

 

Duplex Cable

Two fibers in one cable suitable for duplex transmission.

 

 

Fiber Optics

Light transmission through optical fibers for communication or signaling

 

 

Fibre Channel

Fibre Channel is a data transfer interface technology that maps several common

 

transport protocols including IP and SCSI, allowing it to merge high-speed I/O and

 

networking functionality in a single connectivity technology. Fibre channel is an

 

open standard as defined by ANSI and OSI standards and operates over copper

 

and fiber optic cabling at distances of up to 10 Kilometers. It is unique in its support

 

of multiple interoperable topologies including point-to-point, arbitrated-loop and

 

switching and it offers several qualities of service for network optimization. With its

 

large packet sizes, Fibre Channel is ideal for storage, video, graphic and mass

 

data transfer applications.

 

 

LED

Light-Emitting Diode. A status indicator on a switch.

 

 

Gb/s

Gigabits per second.

 

 

Node

An entity with one or more N_Ports or NL_Ports.

 

 

Open (OPN)

An Arbitrated Loop protocol used to establish a loop circuit.

 

 

Protocol

A data transmission convention which may include timing, control, formatting, error

 

detection with correction and data representation.

 

 

SCSI

Small Computer System Interface. Standard interface for storage modules.

 

 

SFP

Small Form-Factor Pluggable transceiver. These transceivers are fully compliant

 

with FC-PI and MSA standards and occupy less than half the board space of the

 

existing GBIC products.

 

 

Topology

The logical and/or physical arrangement of stations on a network. Fibre Channel

 

topologies include point-to-point, Arbitrated Loop, and switched fabric.

 

 

Transceiver

A device that converts one form of signaling to another for both transmission and

 

reception. SFPs and GBICs are transceivers.

 

 

EMULEX CORPORATION

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PART NUMBER 00041407-002 REV. B

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Emulex 355 Alpa or Arbitrated Loop, Physical Address, Arbitration, Current Fill Word, Duplex Cable, Fiber Optics, Node
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355 specifications

The Emulex 355 is a high-performance network interface card (NIC) designed specifically for data centers requiring advanced connectivity, reliability, and speed. With the rapid evolution of data transmission technology, the Emulex 355 stands out due to its robust features and capabilities that cater to the demands of modern IT infrastructures.

One of the key features of the Emulex 355 is its support for 10 Gigabit Ethernet, which allows for significantly faster data transfer rates compared to standard Gigabit connections. This increased bandwidth is essential for handling large volumes of data traffic, particularly in virtualized environments and cloud computing applications. Its high throughput ensures that data can be transmitted rapidly across networks, minimizing latency and improving overall performance.

The Emulex 355 employs advanced technologies such as iSCSI Offload and FCoE (Fibre Channel over Ethernet), which help enhance data processing efficiency. These technologies allow the card to offload processing tasks from the host system's CPU, reducing the load on server resources and optimizing performance. The result is a more efficient system that can handle more concurrent connections and processes without being overwhelmed.

In addition to speed and efficiency, reliability is paramount in data center operations. The Emulex 355 includes features like error detection and correction, ensuring data integrity during transmission. Built-in redundancy and failover capabilities safeguard against potential network disruptions, allowing for continuous availability of services—a crucial aspect in mission-critical environments.

The Emulex 355 also offers support for various robust networking protocols, enabling seamless integration into existing network infrastructures. Its compatibility with multiple operating systems and virtualization platforms, such as VMware and Microsoft Hyper-V, further enhances its versatility.

Another notable characteristic of the Emulex 355 is its energy-efficient design. It is optimized for lower power consumption without sacrificing performance, aligning with contemporary efforts to reduce the carbon footprint in data centers.

In conclusion, the Emulex 355 NIC is a powerful solution equipped with features that address the complex demands of modern data centers. Its combination of speed, reliability, and efficiency, along with advanced technologies, makes it a preferred choice for organizations looking to enhance their network capabilities and ensure smooth, uninterrupted operations.
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