Specifications

Starting With StarFabric:The StarFabric Connectivity Guide G-1
Glossary Terms and Definitions
This glossary describes some of the basic terminology you should be familiar with
when discussing StarFabric-based products and technology.
Asynchronous
A communications system in which data transmits intermittently rather than
in a steady stream. Asynchronous protocols require a start bit and a stop bit to
indicate the beginning and the end of a data transmission. A telephone con-
versation is an example of asynchronous transmission because both parties
talk whenever they like. If the communication were synchronous, each party
would be required to wait a specified time before speaking. Most communi-
cations between computers and devices are asynchronous.
Discovery
StarFabric term refers to the StarProtocol’s process of identifying StarFabric-
enabled devices connected to a StarFabric switch fabric.
Downstream
StarFabric term refers to the transmission flow of data in the switch fabric to
indicate a direction flow away from the Root bridge.