Technical data

Fabric OS Administrator’s Guide Glossary-11
Publication Number: 53-0000518-09
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.
M
MALLOC Memory allocation. Usually relates to buffer credits.
MB/sec Megabytes per second.
Mb/sec Megabits per second.
metric A relative value assigned to a route to aid in calculating the shortest path (1000 @ 1 Gbit/sec, 500 @ 2
Gbit/sec).
MIB Management Information Base. An SNMP structure to help with device management, providing
configuration and device information.
MRK Mark primitive signal. Used only in arbitrated loop, MRK is transmitted by an L_Port for
synchronization and is vendor specific.
MS Management Server. The Management Server allows a storage area network (SAN) management
application to retrieve information and administer the fabric and interconnected elements, such as
switches, servers, and storage devices. The MS is located at the Fibre Channel well-known address
FFFFFAh.
multicast The transmission of data from a single source to multiple specified N_Ports (as opposed to all the ports
on the network). See also “broadcast”, “unicast”.
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."
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.