Technical data

Glossary-9
L
L_Port Loop port. A node port (NL_Port) or fabric port (FL_Port) that has arbitrated-loop capabilities. An
L_Port can be in either Fabric Mode or Loop Mode.
LAN Local area network. A network in which transmissions typically take place over fewer than 5 kilometers
(3.4 miles).
latency The time required to transmit a frame. Together, latency and bandwidth define the speed and capacity of
a link or system.
LED Light-emitting diode. Used to indicate the status of elements on a switch.
login server The unit that responds to login requests.
Loop Mode One of two possible modes for an L_Port, in which the L_Port is in an arbitrated loop, using loop
protocol. An L_Port in Loop Mode can also be in Participating Mode or Nonparticipating Mode.
LSAN Logical storage area network. An LSAN enables device and storage connectivity that spans two or more
fabrics. The path between devices in an LSAN can be local to a fabric or cross one or more FC routers
and one or more backbone fabrics.
LSAN zone The mechanism by which LSANs are administered. An FC router attached to two fabrics will “listen”
for the creation of matching LSAN zones on both fabrics. If this occurs, it will create phantom domains
and FC-NAT entries as appropriate, and insert entries for them into the name servers on the fabrics.
LSAN zones are compatible with all standard zoning mechanisms.
M
MALLOC Memory allocation. Usually relates to buffer credits.
meta-SAN The collection of all devices, switches, edge and backbone fabrics, LSANs, and FC routers that make up
a physically connected but logically partitioned storage network. LSANs span between edge fabrics
using FC routers. In a data network, this would simply be called “the network.” However, an additional
term is required to specify the difference between a single-fabric network (“SAN”), a multifabric
network without cross-fabric connectivity (“dual-redundant fabric SAN”), and a multifabric network
with connectivity (“meta-SAN”).
MIB Management Information Base. An SNMP structure to help with device management, providing
configuration and device information.
MS Management Server. The Management Server allows a storage area network (SAN) management
application to retrieve information and administer the fabric and interconnected elements, such as
switches, servers, and storage devices. The MS is located at the Fibre Channel well-known address
FFFFFAh.
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.