Brocade SAN Glossary

ABTS ACC Access fairness Access method ACK Active copper Address identifier Alias server AL_PA AL_TIME ANSI ARB Arbitrated Loop Arbitration ARP ASIC ATM Bandwidth BB_Credit Bloom Broadcast Boot code Boot flash Bypass circuitry CAM Cascade CDR CE Channel CIM Class 1 Class 2 Class 3 Class 4 Class 6 Class F CLS Community Compact flash Congestion Controller COS CRC Credit Cut-through D_ID Datagram Abort Basic Link Service. Accept link service reply; the normal reply to an Extended Link Service request (such as FLOGI), indicating that the request has been completed. A process by which contending nodes are guaranteed access to an Arbitrated Loop. The method used to access a physical medium in order to transmit data. Acknowledgement frame; used for end-to-end flow control; verifies receipt of one or more frames from Class 1,2 or F services. A Fibre Channel connection that allows copper cabling up to 33 meters (36 yards) in length between devices. A 24-bit number used to indicate the link-level address of communicating devices. In a frame header, the address identifier indicates the source ID (S_ID) and the destination ID (D_ID) of the frame respectively. A proposed standard as part of FC-GS-3; it will use the well-known address FFFFF8 and will maintain identifier mappings to support multicast group management. Arbitrated Loop Physical Address; an 8-bit value used to identify a device participating in an Arbitrated Loop. Arbitrated Loop Timeout value; twice the amount of time it would take for a transmission word to propagate around a worst-case loop. The default value is 15 milliseconds (ms). American National Standards Institute; governing body for standards in the U.S. Arbitrative Primitive Signal; this applies only to an Arbitrated Loop topology, and is transmitted as the fill word by an L_Port to indicate the port is arbitrating access to the loop. A shared 100/200-megabytes-per-second Fibre Channel transport supporting up to a maximum of 126 devices and 1 attachment to a Fabric. Ports with lower AL_PAs have higher priorities. A method of gaining orderly access to a shared-loop topology. Address Resolution Protocol; a TCP/IP function for associating an IP address with a link-level address. Application-Specific Integrated Circuit. Asynchronous Transfer Mode; a high-speed packet-switching transport used for transmitting data over LANs or WANs that transmits fixed-length units of data. It provides any-to-any connectivity and nodes can transmit simultaneously. The transmission capacity of the cable, link, or system. Buffer-to-buffer credit; used to determine how many frames can be sent to the recipient. The code name given to the third-generation Brocade Fabric ASIC. This is the ASIC used in SilkWorm switches beyond the 2800. Sending a transmission to all Nx_Ports on a Fabric. Software that initialized the system environment during the early phase of the boot up process. For example, boot code may determine the amount of available memory and how to access it. Flash (temporary) memory that stores the boot code and boot parameters. Circuits that automatically remove a device from the data path when valid signals are dropped. Content addressable memory. Connecting two or more Fibre Channel hubs or switches to increase port capacity or distance. Seven levels of cascading is the limit for Brocade switches. SilkWorm 1000 switches can have up to 32 in a SAN; SilkWorm 2000 switches and above can have up to 239. Clock and data recovery circuitry. Conformit Europenne. A point-to-point link whose task is to transport data from one point to another. Common Information Model; a management structure enabling disparate resources to be managed by a common application. A connection-oriented class of service that requires acknowledgment of frame delivery. A connectionless class of service that requires acknowledgment of frame delivery. A connectionless class of service that requires no acknowledgment of frame delivery between N_Ports. A connection-oriented service that allows fractional parts of the bandwidth to be used in a virtual circuit. A connection-oriented multicast service geared toward video broadcasts between a central server and clients. A connectionless class of service that gives notification of delivery or non-delivery between E_Ports, used for control, coordination, and configuration of the Fabric. Close Primitive Signal; only in an Arbitrated Loop; sent by an L_Port that is currently communicating on the loop, to close communication to another L_Port. A relationship in SNMP between an SNMP agent and a set of SNMP managers that defines authentication, access control, and proxy characteristics. Flash (temporary) memory that is used in a manner similar to hard disk storage. It is connected to a bridging component which connects to the PCI bus of the processor. Not visible within the processor's memory space. The realization of the potential of over subscription. A congested link is one on which multiple devices actually are contending for bandwidth. A computer module that interprets signals between a host and a peripheral device. The controller typically is part of the peripheral device. Class of service. Cyclic Redundancy Check; a self-test for error detection and correction. A numeric value that represents the maximum number of receive buffers provided by an F/FL_Port to its attached N/NL_Port such that the N/NL_Port may transmit frames without overrunning the F/FL_Port. A switching technique that allows a routing decision to be made as soon as the destination address of the frame is received. Destination identifier; a 3-byte field in the frame header used to indicate the address identifier of the N_Port to which the frame is headed. A Class 3 Fibre Channel service that allows data to be sent quickly to devices attached to the Fabric, with no confirmation of receipt.

Brocade SAN Glossary

Dedicated simplex Disparity DLS Domain ID DWDM E_D_TOV EE_Credit EIA 8b/10b encoding ELP Emulex Entry Fabric EOF E_Port Exchange Fabric Fabric port count Fabric topology FAN Fan-in Fan-out F_BSY FCA FC-0 FC-1 FC-2 FC-3 FC-4 FC-AL FC-AV FC-CT FC-FG FC-FLA FC-FS FC-GS FC-GS-2 FC-GS-3 FC_IP FC-PH FC-PH-2 FC-PH-3 F_RJT FC_SB FC-SW FC-SW-2 FC_VI FCC FCIA FCLC FCP FDDI FFFFF5 FFFFF6 FFFFF7 FFFFF8 FFFFF9 FFFFFA A means that permits a single N_Port to simultaneously initiate a session with another N_Port as an initiator, and have a separate Class 1 connection to another N_Port as a recipient. The relationship of 1s and 0s in an encoded character; positive disparity contains more 1s, negative disparity contains more 0s, neutral disparity contains an equal number of 1s and 0s. Dynamic Load Sharing; allows for recomputing of routes when an Fx or E_Port comes up or down. A unique number between 1 and 239 on a SilkWorm 2000 Series or later switch that identifies the switch to a Fabric. Dense Wave Division Multiplexing; see WDM. Allows more wavelengths to use the same fiber. Error-Detect Time Out Value; the maximum round-trip time that an operation could require before declaring an error condition. End-to-end credit; used to manage the exchange of frames by two communicating devices and set the maximum number of frames that may remain unacknowledged. Electronic Industries Association. An encoding scheme that converts an 8-bit byte into one or two possible 10-bit characters; used for balancing 1s and 0s in high-speed transports. Exchange Link Parameters. A brand of host bus adapter. The basic Brocade software license that allows one E_Port per switch. End of Frame; a group of ordered sets used to mark the end of a frame. An expansion port connecting two switches to make a Fabric. The highest-level Fibre Channel mechanism used for communication between N_Ports. They are composed of 1 or more related sequences and work either uni- or bi-directionally. One or more Fibre Channel switches in some networked topology. The number of ports available for connection by nodes in a Fabric. The arrangement of switches that form a Fabric. Fabric Address Notification; keeps the AL_PA and Fabric address when loop re-initializes if the switch supports FAN. The ratio of hosts to storage devices. It is the view of the SAN from the storage ports perspective. The ratio of storage devices to hosts. It is the view of the SAN from the host ports perspective. Fabric Port Busy Frame; a frame issued by the Fabric to indicate that a frame cannot be delivered because the Fabric or destination N_Port is busy. Fibre Channel Association. Lowest layer on Fibre Channel transport; represents the physical media. This layer contains the 8b/10b encoding scheme. This layer handles framing and protocol, frame format, sequence/exchange management, and ordered set usage. This layer contains common services used by multiple N_Ports in a node. This layer handles standards and profiles for mapping upper-level protocols such as SCSI and IP onto the Fibre Channel Protocol. Fibre Channel Arbitrated Loop. Fibre Channel Audio Visual. Fibre Channel Common Transport. Fibre Channel Generic requirements. Fibre Channel Fabric Loop Attachment. Fibre Channel Framing and Signaling. Fibre Channel generic services. Fibre Channel second-generation generic services. Fibre Channel third-generation generic services Fibre channel over IP protocol. The Fibre Channel physical and signaling standard for FC-0, FC-1, and FC-2 layers of the Fibre Channel Protocol, and also indicates signaling used for cable plants, media types, and transmission speeds. Second-generation physical interface. Third-generation physical interface. Fabric Port Reject Frame; a frame issued by the Fabric to indicate that delivery of a frame is being denied, maybe because class is not supported, or there is an invalid header, or no N_Port is available. Fibre Channel Single Bytes. Fibre Channel Switch Fabric; specifies tools and algorithms for interconnection and initialization of Fibre Channel switches to create a multiswitch Fibre Channel Fabric. Fibre Channel Switch Fabric (second generation); specifies tools and algorithms for interconnection and initialization of Fibre Channel switches to create a multiswitch Fibre Channel Fabric. Fibre Channel Virtual Interface. Federal Communications Commission. Fibre Channel Industry Association; its mission is to nurture and help develop the broadest market for Fibre Channel products. Fibre Channel Loop Community. Fibre Channel Protocol; SCSI to Fibre Channel mapping. Fibre Distributed Data Interface; ANSI architecture for a Metropolitan Area Network (MAN); a network based on the use of optical-fibre cable to transmit data at 100 megabits per second. Well-known Fibre Channel address for a Class 6 multicast server. Well-known Fibre Channel address for a clock synchronization server. Well-known Fibre Channel address for a security key distribution server. Well-known Fibre Channel address for an alias server. Well-known Fibre Channel address for a QoS facilitator. Well-known Fibre Channel address for a management server.

Brocade SAN Glossary

Well-known Fibre Channel address for a time server. Well-known Fibre Channel address for a directory server. Well-known Fibre Channel address for a Fabric controller. Well-known Fibre Channel address for a Fabric F_Port. Well-known address for a broadcast alias-ID. A high-speed, serial, bi-directional, topology independent, multi-protocol, highly scalable interconnection between computers, peripherals, and networks. Fill word The primitive signal used by L_Ports to be transmitted between frames. FL_Port A Fabric loop port to which a loop attaches; it is the access to the Fabric for NL_Ports on a loop. Flash Programmable NVRAM memory that maintains its contents without power. FLOGI Fabric Login; a process by which a node makes a logical connection to a Fabric switch. F_Port A Fabric port to which an N_Port attaches. Fractional Bandwidth The partial use of a link to send data back and forth, with a maximum of 254 Class 4 connections per N_Port. Frame A data unit containing a start-of-frame (SOF) delimiter, header, payload, cyclic redundancy check (CRC), and an end-offrame (EOF) delimiter. The payload can be 0-2112 bytes, and the CRC is 4 bytes. FRU Field Replaceable Unit; a component that can be replaced in the field upon failure. FSP Fibre Channel Service Protocol; The common FC-4 level protocol for all services, transparent to the Fabric type or topology. FSPF Fabric Shortest Path First; a routing protocol used by Fibre Channel switches. Full Fabric The Brocade software license that allows multiple E_Ports on a switch. Full duplex Concurrent transmission and reception of data on a link. Full fabric citizenship A loop device that has an entry in name server. Gateway A device that connects incompatible networks by providing the necessary translation, both for hardware and software. GBIC Gigabit Interface Converter; a removable transceiver module permitting Fibre Channel and Gigabit Ethernet physical-layer transport. Gbps Gigabits per second. GBps Gigabytes per second. Gigabit 1,062,500,000 bits per second. GLM Gigabit Link Module; a semitransparent transceiver that incorporates serializing/deserializing functions. G_Port A generic port that supports either E_Port or F_Port functionality. GUI Graphical User Interface. HBA Host Bus Adapter; an interface between a server or workstation bus and the Fibre Channel network. HiPPI High-performance Parallel Interface; an 800Mbit/sec interface normally used in supercomputer environments. Hop count Hop count is the number of ISLs a frame must traverse to get from its source to its destination. Hot swappable A component that can be replaced while under power. HSSDC High Speed Serial Data Connection; a form factor that allows quick connections for copper interfaces. HSSDC-2 Second generation HSSDC connector. HTTP HyperText Transfer Protocol; the standard TCP/IP transfer protocol used on the World Wide Web. Hub A Fibre Channel wiring concentrator that collapses a loop topology into a physical star topology. A hub may automatically recognize an active node and inserts it into the loop. A node that is not functioning is automatically removed from the loop. Hunt Group A number of N_Ports registered as a single Alias_ID, so the Fabric can route a word to a port that is free. Idle An ordered set transmitted continuously over a link when no data is being transmitted to maintain an active link. It helps maintain bit, byte, and word synchronization. In-band Transmission of management protocol over the Fibre Channel transport. Initiator A server or workstation on a Fibre Channel network that initiates transactions to tapes or disks. Integrated Fabric The Fabric created by connecting multiple SilkWorm switches with multiple ISL cables, and configuring the switches to handle traffic as a seamless group. Intercabinet A specification for copper cabling that allows up to 33-meter distances between cabinets. Intermix Allows any unused bandwidth in a Class 1 connection to be used by Class 2 or Class 3. Inter-switch link See ISL. Intracabinet A specification for copper cabling that allows up to a 13-meter (42-foot) distance within a single cabinet. IOD In Order Delivery; a parameter than when set, guarantees that frames get delivered in order, or they are dropped. IP Internet Protocol; the addressing part of TCP/IP. IPI Intelligent Peripheral Interface. ISL Inter-switch Link; a connection between two switches using the E_Port. ISL over subscription ratio The ratio of the number of free ports (non-ISL) to the number of ISLs on a switch. Isolated E_Port This occurs when an ISL is online but not operational between switches because of overlapping domain IDs or no identical parameters such as E_D_TOVs. ISP Internet Service Provider. Jaycor A brand of host bus adapter. JBOD Just a Bunch Of Disks; a term for disks typically configured as an Arbitrated Loop segment in a single chassis. Jitter A deviation in timing for a bit stream as it flows through a physical medium. K28.5 A special 10-bit character used to indicate the beginning of a Fibre Channel ordered set. LAN Local Area Network; a network where transmissions are typically less than 5 kilometers (3.4 miles). Latency The period that a frame is held by a network device before it is forwarded. LED Light Emitting Diode; a status indicator on a switch. Link control facility A termination handling physical and logical control of the Fibre Channel link for each mode. LIFA Loop Initialization Fabric Assigned frame; contains bitmap of all Fabric assigned AL_PAs and is the first frame transmitted in the loop initialization process after a temporary loop master has been selected. FFFFFB FFFFFC FFFFFD FFFFFE FFFFFF Fibre Channel

Brocade SAN Glossary

LIHA Loop Initialization Hard Assigned frame; a hard assigned AL_PA that is indicated by a bit set and is the third frame transmitted in the loop initialization process after a temporary loop master has been selected. LILP Loop Initialization Loop Position frame; the final frame transmitted in a loop initialization process. A returned LIRP contains an accumulation of all of the AL_PA position maps. This allows loop members to determine their relative loop position. This is an optional frame and is not transmitted unless the LIRP is also transmitted. Link A bi-directional point-to-point serial data channel. LIP Loop Initialization Primitive sequence; a means to get an AL_PA address, to indicate a loop failure or to reset a node. LIPA Loop Initialization Previously Assigned; where the device marks a bit in the bitmap if it had not logged in with the Fabric in a previous loop initialization. LIRP Loop Initialization Report Position frame; the first frame transmitted in the loop initialization process after all L_Ports have selected an AL_PA. It gets transmitted around the loop so all L_Ports can report their relative physical position. This is an optional frame. LISA Loop Initialization Soft Assigned frame; the fourth frame transmitted in the loop initialization process after a temporary loop master has been selected. L_Ports that have not selected an AL_PA in a LIFA, LIPA, or LIHA frame will select their AL_PA here. LISM Loop Initialization Select Master frame; the first frame transmitted in the initialization process when L_Ports select an AL_PA. It is used to select a temporary loop master or the L_Port that will subsequently start transmission of the LIFA, LIPA, LIHA, LISA, LIRP, or LILP frames. Login server The unit that responds to login requests. Loom The code name given to the second-generation Brocade Fabric ASIC. This is the ASIC that is used in the SilkWorm 2xxx series of switches. Looplet Private Arbitrated Loop segments connected by a Fabric. LPB Loop Port Bypass; a primitive sequence transmitted by an L_Port to bypass one or all L_Ports to which it is directed. It is used only in Arbitrated Loops. LPE Loop Port Enable; a primitive sequence transmitted by an L_Port to enable one or all L_Ports that have been bypassed with the LPB. It is used only in Arbitrated Loops. L_Port Loop port; a port supporting the Arbitrated Loop protocol. It appears as the part of the output of a switchShow command. LPSM Loop Port State Machine; logic that monitors and performs the tasks required for initialization and access to the loop. It is maintained by an L_Port to track behavior through different phases of loop operations. LR Link Reset; a primitive sequence used during link initialization between two N_Ports in point-to-point topology, or an N_Port and an F_Port in Fabric topology. The expected response is an LRR. LRR Link Reset Response; a primitive sequence during link initialization between two N_Ports in point-to-point topology, or an N_Port and an F_Port in Fabric topology. It is sent in response to an LR, and expects a response of Idle. LWL Long wavelength fiber-optic; based on 1300 and 1550nm lasers supporting 1 and 2 gigabit-per-second link speeds. MAN Metropolitan Area Network. Mbps Megabits per second. MBps Megabytes per second. Metric A relative value assigned to a route to aid in calculating the shortest path (1000 @ 1Gbps, 500 @ 2Gbps). MIA Media Interface Adapter; a device that converts optical connections to copper ones and vice versa. MIB Management Information Base; an SNMP structure for device management that contains an abstraction of configuration and device information. MMF Multimode Fiber; see SWL. MRK Mark Primitive Signal; used only in Arbitrated Loop, it is transmitted by an L_Port for synchronization and is vendor specific. MTBF Mean Time Between Failures; an expression of time indicating the longevity of a device. Multicast A restricted broadcast to a subset of the N_Ports on the network. Multimode A fiber optic cabling specification that allows up to 500-meter distances between devices (also abbreviated MMF). Name Server/Service See SNS. NAS Network Attached Storage; a disk array connected to a controller that gives access via a LAN. NDMP Network Data Management Protocol; used for tape backups without using server resources. NIC Network Interconnect Card. NL_Port Node Loop port; a port supporting the Arbitrated Loop protocol. Node A Fibre Channel device that supports one or more ports. Node count The number of nodes attached to the Fabric. Node name A 64-bit unique identifier assigned to a Fibre Channel node. Non-OFC A category of laser transceiver that does not require open fibre control due to its low intensity. Nonparticipating Mode This mode is entered if there are more than 127 devices on a loop, and an AL_PA cannot be acquired. NOS Non-Operational Primitive Sequence; used during link initialization between two N_Ports in the point-to-point topology, or an N_Port and F_Port in the Fabric topology. It is sent to indicate that the transmitting port has detected a link failure or is offline. An OLS is the expected response. NS Name Server (or Service); the service provided by a Fabric switch that stores names, addresses, and attributes related to Fibre Channel objects, and can cache the information for up to 15 minutes. This is also known as a directory service. N_Port A Fibre Channel port in a Fabric or point-to-point connection. OFC Open Fiber Control; a method used to enable and disable laser signaling for higher-intensity laser transceivers. OLS Offline Primitive Sequence; this is used during link initialization between two N_Ports in a point-to-point topology or an F_Port and an N_Port in a Fabric. It is sent to indicate that the transmitting port is attempting to initialize a link, has recognized the NOS primitive sequence, or is going offline. The expected response to an OLS is an LR. OLTP OnLine Transaction Processing. OPN Open Primitive Signal; this applies only to Arbitrated Loop, and is sent by an L_Port that has won the arbitration process to open communication with one or more ports on the loop.

Brocade SAN Glossary

Ordered set A set of 4 characters beginning with a special character used to manage frame transport, initialization, and media access, and to distinguish Fibre Channel control information from data. Originator The Nx_Port that originated an exchange. Out-of-band Transmission of management protocol outside of the Fibre Channel network, usually over Ethernet. Over subscription When more nodes could potentially contend for a resource than the resource could simultaneously support (typically an ISL). Over subscription could be a desirable attribute in Fabric topology, as long as it doesnt produce unacceptable levels of congestion. OX_ID Originator Exchange Identifier; a 2-byte field in the frame header used by the originator of an exchange to identify frames as being part of an exchange. Parallel The simultaneous transmission of data bits over multiple lines. Participating mode The normal operating mode for an L_Port that has acquired an AL_PA on a loop. Passive copper A low-cost copper Fibre Channel connection allowing distances up to 13 meters between devices. PBC Port Bypass Circuit; a circuit in hubs or a disk enclosure to open or close a loop to add or remove nodes. PLDA Private Loop Direct Attached; a technical report specifying a logical loop. PLOGI A port-to-port login process where initiators establish sessions with targets. Point-to-Point A dedicated Fibre Channel connection between two devices. Port A Fibre Channel entity that connects a node to the network. Port log A record of all activity on a switch, kept in volatile memory. Port log dump A view of what happens on a switch from the switch's point of view. This is the command used to read the Port Log. Port-name A unique 64-bit character identifier assigned to a Fibre Channel port. POST Power On Self Test; a routine that the switch performs to test its components. Primitive sequence Ordered sets that indicate or start state changes on the transport medium and require at least three consecutive occurrences to trigger a response. Primitive signals Ordered sets that indicate actions or events and require just one occurrence to trigger a response. Idle and R_RDY are used in all three topologies, ARB, OPN CLS, and MRK are used in Arbitrated Loop. Principal switch The first switch to boot up in the Fabric; ensures unique Domain IDs amongst other roles. Private device A device that supports loop and can understand 8-bit addresses but does not log into the Fabric. Private loop An Arbitrated Loop device with no participating FL_Port. Private loop device An Arbitrated Loop device with no Fabric attachment. Private NL_Port An NL_Port on a public or private loop; it only communicates with other ports on the loop, not with the Fabric. PSU Power Supply Unit. Public device A device that supports loop and can also log into the Fabric. Public loop An Arbitrated Loop with a participating FL_Port. Public loop device An Arbitrated Loop device that supports Fabric login and services. Public NL_Port An NL_Port that may communicate with other ports on the loop as well as through an FL_Port to other N_Ports on the Fabric. Qlogic A brand of host bus adapters and switches. QoS Quality of Service. Queue A mechanism for each AL_PA address that allows for collecting frames prior to sending them to the loop. QuickLoop A Brocade software product that allows multiple ports on a switch to create a logical loop. Devices connected via QuickLoop will appear to each other as if they were on the same Arbitrated Loop. RAID Redundant Array of Independent Disks; disks look like a single or multiple volumes to the server, and are fault-tolerant either through mirroring or parity checking. RAIT Redundant Array of Independent Tapes. R_A_TOV Resource Allocation Time Out Value; used to timeout operations that depend on the maximum allowable time a frame could be delayed in the Fabric and still be delivered. Receiver A device that does detection and signal processing. Redundancy Having multiple occurrences of a component to maintain high availability. Remote switch An optional product using a Computer Network Technology gateway over ATM. Repeater A circuit that uses recovered clock to regenerate and transmit an outbound signal. Resilient core/edge topology Two or more switches acting as a core to interconnect multiple edge switches, nodes attach to the edge switches. Responder The N_Port with which an Exchange originator wishes to communicate. Retimer A circuit that uses an independent clock to generate outbound signals. Route A path between two switches. R_RDY Receiver Ready; a primitive signal indicating that the port is ready to receive a frame. RSCN Registered State Change Notification; a switch function that allows notification to registered nodes if a change occurs either with or within the Fabric. R_T_TOV Receiver Transmitter Timeout Value; used by the receiver logic to detect loss of synchronization between transmitters and receivers. RX_ID Responder Exchange Identifier; A 2-byte field in the frame header that may be used by the responder of the Exchange to identify frames as being part of a particular exchange. S_ID Source Identifier; a 3-byte field in the frame header used to indicate the address identifier of the N_Port from which the frame was sent. SAN Storage Area Network; a network linking computing devices to disk or tape arrays and other devices over Fibre Channel. SAN architecture The overall design of a storage network solution, which includes one or more related Fabrics, each of which has a topology. SAN port count The number of ports available for connection by nodes in the entire SAN. Scalability One of the properties of a SAN; the size to which the SAN topology can grow port and switch counts with ease. SCR State Change Registration. The command used by devices to register to receive RSCNs.

Brocade SAN Glossary

SCSI Small Computer Systems Interface; A parallel bus architecture and a protocol for transmitting large data blocks to a distance of 15-25 meters. SCSI-2 An updated version of the SCSI bus architecture. SCSI-3 A SCSI standard that defines transmission of SCSI protocol data over different kinds of links. SDRAM The main memory for the switch. SEQ_ID Sequence Identifier; a 1-byte field in the frame header change to identify the frames as being part of a particular Exchange Sequence between a pair of ports. Sequence A group of related frames transmitted unidirectionally from one N_Port to another. Sequence initiator The N_Port that begins a new Sequence and transmits frames to another N_Port. Sequence recipient The N_Port to which a particular Sequence of data frames is directed. SERDES SERializing/DESerializing circuitry; a circuit that converts a serial bit stream into parallel characters, and vice-versa. Serial The transmission of data bits in sequential order over a single line. Server A computer that processes end-user applications or requests. SES SCSI Enclosure Services; a subset of the SCSI protocol used to monitor temperature, power, and fan status for enclosed devices. SFF Small Form Factor; an industry term for a smaller transceiver. (See SFP) SFP Small Form Factor Pluggable a transceiver used on 2Gbps switches that replaces the GBIC. SilkWorm A brand name for the Brocade family of switches. Single mode A fiber optic cabling specification that provides up to 10km and > 50km distances between devices. S-Link service Facilities used between an N_Port and the Fabric, or between two N_Ports for login, sequence/exchange management, and maintaining connections. SMF Single mode fiber; see LWL. SMI Structure of Management Information; a notation for setting or retrieving SNMP management variables. SNMP Simple Network Management Protocol; A TCP/IP protocol that was designed for management of networks over TCP/IP, using agents and stations. SOF Start Of Frame; a group of ordered sets that marks the beginning of a frame and indicates the class of service the frame will use. SoIP SCSI over IP. SONET Synchronous Optical Network; a standard for optical networks providing building blocks and flexible payload mappings. Special character A special 10-bit character that does not have a corresponding 8-bit value but is still considered valid. The special character is used to indicate that a particular transmission word is an ordered set. This is the only type of character to have five 1s or 0s in a row. SPOF Single Point of Failure; any component in a SAN whose malfunction could bring down the entire SAN. SRM Storage Resource Management; the management of disk volumes and any file resources. Stealth mode A method used in some switches to have them work similar to Brocade switches using QuickLoop. Stitch The code name given to the first-generation Brocade Fabric ASIC. This is the ASIC that is used in the SilkWorm 1xxx series of switches. Storage A device used to store data; such as a disk or tape. Store-and-forward A switching technique that requires buffering an entire frame before a routing decision is made. Striping A RAID technique for writing a file to multiple disks on a block-by-block basis, with or without parity. Switch A Fabric device providing bandwidth and high-speed routing of data via link-level addressing. SWL Short Wavelength fiber optic; based on 850-mm lasers supporting 1.0625-Gbps link speeds. T10 A standards committee chartered with creating standards for SCSI. T11 A standards committee chartered with creating standards for Fibre Channel. Tachyon A chip developed by Hewlett-Packard, and used in various devices. This chip has FC-0 through FC-2 on one chip. Target A disk or a tape device in SCSI. TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol over Internet Protocol. Telnet A virtual terminal emulation used with TCP/IP. Tenancy Possession of an Arbitrated Loop by a device to conduct a transaction. Time server A Fibre Channel service that allows for the management of all timers. Topology The physical or logical arrangement of devices in a networked configuration. TPC Third Party Copy; a protocol for performing tape backups without using server resources. Transceiver A device that converts one form of signaling to another for transmission and reception; in fiber optics it means optical to electrical. Translative mode Allows public devices to communicate with private devices across a Fabric. Transmission character A valid or invalid character transmitted serially over fibre. Transmission word A string of four consecutive transmission characters. Trap An SNMP mechanism for agents to notify the SNMP management station of significant events. TTL Time To Live; the number of seconds an entry exists in cache before it expires. Tunneling A technique for making two different networks interact where the source and destination hosts are on the same type of network, but there is a different network in between. U_Port Universal Port; a port that can operate as a G/E/F/FL_Port. All SilkWorm 2xxx series switches and beyond contain Universal Ports to allow any device to connect to any port. Selection of actual port type is automatic. ULP Upper Level Protocol; the protocol that runs on top of Fibre Channel through the FC-4 layer. Typical protocols are SCSI, IP, HiPPI, and IPI. Unicast A routing method that provides one or more optimal path(s) between any two switches in the Fabric. VAR Value Added Reseller. VCSEL Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser; an improved and more reliable type of laser. Virtual circuit A one-way path between N_Ports that allows fractional bandwidth.

Brocade SAN Glossary

WAN WDM World Wide Name Zoning Wide Area Network. Wavelength Division Multiplexer; allows multiple wavelengths to be combined or filtered on a single cable. A 64-bit unique identifier for nodes and ports in a Fabric. A feature in Fabric switches or hubs that allows segmentation of a node by physical port, name, or address.

Copyright 2002 by Brocade Communications Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved Last updated 2/12/02