ServerNet Cluster 6780 Operations Guide (G06.28+, H06.05+)

Glossary
ServerNet Cluster 6780 Operations Guide—525606-003
Glossary-16
multilane link
multilane link. A communication link between cluster switches that can consist of multiple
ServerNet cables. Two-lane links and four-lane links are examples of multilane links.
multimode fiber-optic (MMF) cable. A fiber-optic cable that either allows more than one
mode to propagate or supports propagation of more than one mode of a given
wavelength. MMF cable typically supports shorter transmission distances than
single-mode fiber-optic (SMF) cable.
NAM. See Network Access Method (NAM).
$NCP. See network control process.
network. Two or more computer systems (nodes) connected so that they can exchange
information and share resources. See also Expand network, wide area network (WAN),
and local area network (LAN).
Network Access Method (NAM). The interface through which an Expand-over-ServerNet
line-handler process (Expand/SvNet) communicates with the ServerNet cluster monitor
process (SNETMON).
network control process. A process pair, named $NCP, that runs in each system of an
Expand network. $NCP is responsible for establishing and terminating
system-to-system connections, maintaining network-related system tables (including
the network routing table, NRT), calculating the most efficient way to transmit data to
other systems in the network, monitoring and logging changes in the status of the
network and its systems, informing $NCPs at neighbor systems of changes in line or
Expand line-handler process status, and aborting pending requests when all paths go
down. See also network routing table (NRT).
network routing table (NRT). A table that resides in each processor in each system in a
network. The NRT associates each destination system with the logical device (LDEV)
number of the Expand line-handler process with the best-path route to use to send
messages to that system. See also network control process
.
network topology. The physical layout of components that define a system, a local area
network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).
NNA. See node-numbering agent (NNA)
.
node. (1) A uniquely identified computer system connected to one or more other computer
systems in a network. See also Expand node, ServerNet node, and system. (2) An
endpoint in a ServerNet fabric, such as a processor or ServerNet addressable
controller (SAC).
node number. A number used to identify a member system in a network. The node number
is usually unique for each system in the network. See also node, ServerNet node
number, and Expand node number.