Technical data

217
GLOSSARY
8b/10b encoding Encoding scheme that converts each 8-bit data byte into a 10-bit transmission
character. Used to balance ones and zeros in high speed transports.
Address identifier Value used to identify source or destination of a frame.
AL_PA Arbitrated Loop Physical Address. Unique 8-bit value assigned during loop
initialization to each port in an arbitrated loop.
Alias Address
Identifier
An address identifier recognized by a port in addition to its standard
identifier. An alias address identifier may be shared by multiple ports.
Alias AL_PA An AL_PA value recognized by an L_Port in addition to the AL_PA assigned
to the port. See also AL_PA.
Alias server Fabric software facility that supports multicast group management.
ANSI American National Standards Institute. Governing body for fibre channel
standards in the U.S.A.
API Application Programming Interface. Defined protocol that allows
applications to interface with a set of services.
Arbitrated loop A shared 100 MBps fibre channel transport structured as a loop. Allows
communication between ports without using a switch. Requires successful
arbitration by a port before a circuit is established. Supports up to 126 devices
and one fabric attachment. Similar to a “shared bandwidth ring” on a network.
Arbitrating State The state in which a port has become the loop master. This state is only
available from the Open state.
ASIC Application-Specific Integrated Circuit.