Technical data
Web Tools Administrator’s Guide Glossary-3
Publication Number: 53-0000522-09
E_Port Expansion port. A standard Fibre Channel mechanism that enables switches to network with each other,
creating an ISL. See also ISL.
effective zone
configuration
A subset of the defined zone configuration, containing only the zone configuration object that is
currently enabled. Only one configuration can be active at a time, but since multiple configurations can
be defined in the database, a new configuration can be easily switched.
enabled zone
configuration
The currently enabled configuration of zones. Only one configuration can be enabled at a time. See also
zone configuration.
error As it applies to the Fibre Channel industry, a missing or corrupted frame, timeout, loss of
synchronization, or loss of signal (link errors).
Ethernet Popular protocols for LANs.
F
F_Port Fabric port. A port that is able to transmit under fabric protocol and interface over links. Can be used to
connect an N_Port to a switch. See also FL_Port, Fx_Port.
fabric A collection of Fibre Channel switches and devices, such as hosts and storage. Also referred to as a
“switched fabric.” See also SAN, topology.
Fabric
Manager
An optionally licensed Brocade software. Fabric Manager is a GUI that allows for fabric-wide
administration and management. Switches can be treated as groups, and actions such as firmware
downloads can be performed simultaneously.
fabric topology The arrangement of switches that form a fabric.
Fabric Watch An optionally licensed Brocade software. Fabric Watch can be accessed through either the command
line or Web Tools, and it provides the ability to set thresholds for monitoring fabric conditions.
failover Describes the Brocade SilkWorm 12000, 24000, and 48000 process of one CP passing active status to
another CP. A failover is nondisruptive.
FAN Fabric address notification. Retains the AL_PA and fabric address when a loop reinitializes, if the
switch supports FAN.
FCS switch Relates to the Brocade Secure Fabric OS feature. One or more designated switches that store and
manage security parameters and configuration data for all switches in the fabric. They also act as a set
of backup switches to the primary FCS switch. See also primary FCS switch.
Fibre Channel The primary protocol used for building SANs to transmit data between servers, switches, and storage
devices. Unlike IP and Ethernet, Fibre Channel was designed to support the needs of storage devices of
all types. It is a high-speed, serial, bidirectional, topology-independent, multiprotocol, and highly
scalable interconnection between computers, peripherals, and networks.
FICON
®
A protocol used on IBM mainframes. Brocade SilkWorm switch FICON support enables a SilkWorm
fabric to transmit FICON format data between FICON-capable servers and storage.
firmware The basic operating system provided with the hardware.