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can also be in participating mode or nonparticipating
mode. See also

loop port

fabric mode

participating

mode

, and

nonparticipating mode

loop port (L_port).

A node port (NL_port) or fabric

port (FL_port) that has arbitrated loop capabilities. An
L_port can be either in fabric mode or loop mode. See
also

fabric mode

loop mode, nonparticipating mode,

and

participating mode.

loop port state machine (LPSM).

The logical entity

that performs arbitrated loop protocols and defines the
behavior of loop ports (L_ports) when they require
access to an arbitrated loop.

L_port.

See

loop port

LPSM.

See

loop port state machine

LSR.

Link state record.

LSU.

Link state update.

LUN.

See

logical unit number

LWL.

See

long wavelength

MAC.

See

media access controller

management information base (MIB).

A simple

network management protocol (SNMP) structure to help
with device management, providing configuration and
device information.

master port.

As relates to trunking, the port that

determines the routing paths for all traffic flowing
through the trunking group. One of the ports in the first
inter-switch link (ISL) in the trunking group is designated
as the master port for that group. See also

ISL

Trunking

media access controller (MAC).

Algorithms that

control access to physical media, especially in shared
media networks.

MIB.

See

management information base

multicast.

The transmission of data from a single

source to multiple specified node ports (N_ports), as
opposed to all the ports on the network. See also

broadcast

and

unicast

multimode.

A fiber optic cabling specification that

allows up to 500 m (1640.5 ft) between devices.

name server.

Frequently used to indicate Simple

Name Server. See also

simple name server

NL_port.

See

node loop port

node.

A Fibre Channel device that contains a node

port (N_port) or node loop port (NL_port).

node loop port (NL_port).

A node port that is loop

capable. Used to connect an equipment port to the
fabric in a loop configuration through a fabric loop port
(FL_port).

node name.

The unique identifier for a node,

communicated during login and port discovery.

node port (N_port).

A node port that is not loop

capable. Used to connect an equipment port to the
fabric.

nonparticipating mode.

A mode in which a loop port

(L_port) in a loop is inactive and cannot arbitrate or
send frames, but can retransmit any received
transmissions. This mode is entered if there are more
than 127 devices in a loop and an arbitrated loop
physical address (AL_PA) cannot be acquired. See also

participating mode

nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM).

Random access memory (storage) that retains its
contents after the electrical power to the machine is
shut off. A specific part of NVRAM is set aside for use
by the system ROS for the boot device list.

N_port.

See

node port

NVRAM.

See

nonvolatile random access memory

Nx_port.

A node port that can operate as either a

node port (N_port) or node loop port (NL_port). See
also

node port

and

node loop port

OFC.

Open fibre control.

operating system (OS).

A collection of system

programs that control the overall operation of a
computer system.

ordered set.

A transmission word that uses 8b/10b

mapping and begins with the K28.5 character. Ordered
sets occur outside of frames, and include frame
delimiters, primitive signals, and primitive sequences.
Ordered sets are used to differentiate Fibre Channel
control information from data frames and to manage the
transport of frames. See also

frame delimiter

primitive

signal

, and

primitive sequence.

OS.

See

operating system

packet.

A set of information transmitted across a

network. See also

frame

participating mode.

A mode in which a loop port

(L_port) in a loop has a valid arbitrated loop physical
address (AL_PA) and can arbitrate, send frames, and
retransmit received transmissions. See also

nonparticipating mode

path selection.

The selection of a transmission path

through the fabric. Switches use the Fibre Channel
shortest path first (FSPF) protocol.

Glossary