Technical data

Glossary-20 Brocade SilkWorm 4100 Hardware Reference Manual
Publication Number: 53-0000563-02
N
N_Port Node port. A port on a node that can connect to a Fibre Channel port or to another N_Port in a point-to-
point connection. See also NL_Port, Nx_Port.
Name Server Simple Name Server (SNS). A switch service that stores names, addresses, and attributes for up to 15
minutes and provides them as required to other devices in the fabric. SNS is defined by Fibre Channel
standards and exists at a well-known address. Also referred to as "directory service."
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 backup without using server resources.
NIC Network interconnect card.
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 N_Port, Nx_Port.
node A Fibre Channel device that contains an N_Port or NL_Port.
node count The number of nodes attached to a fabric.
node name The unique identifier for a node, communicated during login and port discovery.
Nonparticipat-
ing Mode
A mode in which an L_Port in a loop is inactive and cannot arbitrate or send frames but can retransmit
received transmissions. This mode is entered if there are more than 127 devices in a loop and an AL_PA
cannot be acquired. See also L_Port, Participating Mode.
NOS Not operational. The NOS primitive sequence is transmitted to indicate that the FC_Port transmitting
the NOS has detected a link failure or is offline, waiting for the offline sequence (OLS) to be received.
NR_Port A normal E_Port used to connect an FC Router to a backbone fabric.
NS Name Server. The service provided by a fabric switch that stores names, addresses, and attributes
related to Fibre Channel objects. Can cache information for up to 15 minutes. Also known as "Simple
Name Server" or as a "directory service." See also Simple Name Server (SNS).
NSCAM Name Server Cache Manager. Updates the Name Server (NS) databases across switches as a
background task.
Nx_Port A node port that can operate as either an N_Port or NL_Port.
O
OFC Open fiber control. A method used to enable and disable laser signaling for higher-intensity laser
transceivers.
OLS Primitive sequence offline.
OLTP Online transaction processing.