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Introduction
18 HP StorageWorks 2/8q Fibre Channel Switch Installation Guide
SFP transceivers
The switch supports SFP optical transceivers for the Fibre Channel ports. A transceiver
converts electrical signals to and from optical laser signals to transmit and receive data.
Duplex fiber optic cables plug into the transceivers, which then connect to the devices. A Fibre
Channel port is capable of transmitting at 1 Gbps or 2 Gbps; however, the transceiver must be
capable of 2 Gbps for the port to deliver at that rate.
SFP transceivers are hot pluggable. This means that you can remove or install a transceiver
while the switch is operating, without harming the switch or the transceiver. However,
communication with the connected device is interrupted. See “Install SFP transceivers” on
page 34 for information.
Port types
The switch supports generic ports (G_Port, GL_Port) and fabric ports (F_Port, FL_Port).
Switches come from the factory with all Fibre Channel ports configured as GL_Ports.
Ports function as follows:
■ A GL_Port self-configures as an FL_Port when connected to a public loop device, and as
an F_Port when connected to a single public device.
■ A G_Port self-configures as an F_Port when connected to a single public device.
■ An FL_Port supports a loop of up to 126 public devices. An FL_Port can also configure
itself during the fabric login process as an F_Port when connected to a single public device
(N_Port).
■ An F_Port supports a single public device. If the device is a single device on a loop, the
GL_Port will attempt to configure first as an F_Port, then if that fails, as an FL_Port.