Technical data

Glossary-8 Web Tools Administrator’s Guide
Publication Number: 53-0000522-09
SilkWorm The brand name for the Brocade family of switches.
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” or “name server.”
SNMP Simple Network Management Protocol. An Internet management protocol that uses either IP for
network-level functions and UDP for transport-level functions, or TCP/IP for both. Can be made
available over other protocols, such as UDP/IP, because it does not rely on the underlying
communication protocols. See also community (SNMP).
soft zone A zone consisting of zone members that are made visible to each other through client service requests.
Typically, soft zones contain zone members that are visible to devices using Name Server exposure of
zone members. The fabric does not enforce a soft zone. Note that well-known addresses are implicitly
included in every zone.
SSH Secure shell. Used starting in Brocade Fabric OS v4.1 to support encrypted telnet sessions to the switch.
SSH encrypts all messages, including the client sending the password at login.
switch A fabric device providing bandwidth and high-speed routing of data via link-level addressing.
switch name The arbitrary name assigned to a switch.
switch port A port on a switch. Switch ports can be E_Ports, F_Ports, or FL_Ports.
syslog Syslog daemon. Used to forward error messages.
T
T11 A standards committee chartered with creating standards for Fibre Channel.
target A storage device on a Fibre Channel network. See also initiator.
TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol Internet Protocol.
telnet A virtual terminal emulation used with TCP/IP. “Telnet” is sometimes used as a synonym for the
Brocade Fabric OS CLI.
throughput The rate of data flow achieved within a cable, link, or system. Usually measured in bps (bits per second
or b/sec).
Time Server A Fibre Channel service that allows for the management of all timers.
topology As it applies to Fibre Channel technology, the configuration of the Fibre Channel network and the
resulting communication paths allowed. There are three possible topologies:
Point to point. A direct link between two communication ports.
Switched fabric. Multiple N_Ports linked to a switch by F_Ports.
Arbitrated loop. Multiple NL_Ports connected in a loop.