HP StorageWorks Fabric OS 5.0.0 Command Reference Guide (AA-RW1MA-TE, May 2005)

Fabric OS 5.0.0 command reference guide 773
MTBF Mean time between failures. An expression of time, indicating the longevity of a device.
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.
multimode A fiber optic cabling specification that allows up to 500 meters between devices.
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.
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.
Nonparticipating
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.
OFC Open fiber control. A method used to enable and disable laser signaling for higher-intensity
laser transceivers.
OLS Primitive sequence offline.
ON Offline notification. Refers to an ELS field that appears in portLogDump command output.
OPN Open primitive signal. Applies only to arbitrated loop; sent by an L_Port that has won the
arbitration process to open communication with one or more ports on the loop.