Q-Logic FC Network Card User Manual


 
SN0054614-00 K Glossary-7
SANsurfer FC/CNA HBA CLI User’s Guide
Command Line Interface for QLogic FC and FCoE Adapters
other NL_Ports in virtual point-to-point
links through an FC_AL open loop circuit
often through FC_AL (arbitrated loop)
open loop circuit often through FC-AL hub
or loop switch devices. See: E_Port,
F_Port, FL_Port, G_Port, N_Port.
node loop port
See NL_Port.
node port
See N_Port.
non-volatile random access memory
See NVRAM.
NPIV
N_Port ID virtualization. The ability for a
single physical FC end point (N_Port) to
support multiple, uniquely addressable,
logical end points. With NPIV, a host FC
adapter is shared in such a way that each
virtual adapter is assigned to a virtual
server and is separately identifiable within
the fabric. Connectivity and access privi-
leges within the fabric are controlled by
identification of each virtual adapter and,
hence, the virtual server using each virtual
adapter.
NVRAM
Non-volatile random access memory. A
type of memory that retains data (configu-
ration settings) even when power is
removed. You can manually configure
NVRAM settings or restore them from a
file. NVRAM settings are called adapter
parameters in this guide.
open network computing
See ONC.
ONC
Open network computing. A remote proce-
dure call developed by Sun Microsystems.
path
A path to a device is a combination of a
adapter port instance and a target port as
distinct from internal paths in the fabric
network. A fabric network appears to the
operating system as an opaque network
between the adapter (initiator) and the
target.
Because a path is a combination of an
adapter and a target port, it is distinct from
another path if it is accessed through a
different adapter and/or it is accessing a
different target port. Consequently, when
switching from one path to another, the
driver might be selecting a different
adapter (initiator), a different target port, or
both.
This is important to the driver when
selecting the proper method of failover
notification. It can make a difference to the
target device, which might have to take
different actions when receiving retries of
the request from another initiator or on a
different port.
point-to-point
Also FC-P2P. Two FC nodes directly
connected (not in a loop).
port
Access points in a device where a link
attaches. There are four types of ports, as
follows:
N_Port—an FC port that supports
point-to-point topology.
NL_Port—an FC port that supports
loop topology.
F_Port—a port in a fabric where an
N_Port can attach.
FL_Port—a port in a fabric where an
NL_Port can attach.