Security Solutions

2 Port types and switch modes
To support LAN and SAN environments, the HP FlexFabric 5900CP switch utilizes multiple port
types and switch modes.
Port types
The HP FlexFabric 5900CP switch supports multiple port types. Table 1 (page 7) lists the port
types supported.
Table 1 Supported HP FlexFabric 5900CP port types
Ethernet Port Types
• Access/Tagged-trunk 10GbE/40GbE ports used for Ethernet data
FCoE Port Types
• VF_Port: Virtual F_Port (FCoE switch to FCoE target/initiator)
• VE_Port: Virtual E_Port (FCoE switch to FCoE switch)
• VNP_Port: FCoE NPV switch port (FCoE switch to FCoE switch as a proxy)
FC Port Types
• F_Port: Fabric port (switch to FC target/initiator)
• E_Port: Expansion port (switch to switch ISL)
• NP_Port: NPV switch port (FC switch to FC switch as a proxy)
Switch modes
The HP FlexFabric 5900CP switch supports four operating modes. Standard mode is the default
mode. FCF, NPV, and Transit modes are advanced modes.
1. Standard (Non-FCoE) Mode—When a switch operates in this mode, it is a standard DCB/
Ethernet switch and does not provide any FCoE/FC capabilities.
Ethernet connectivity
• HP FlexFabric 5900CP 10GbE/40GbE ports for Ethernet data (access/tagged-trunk).
2. FCF (Fibre Channel Forwarder)—When a switch operates in this mode, it is called as an FCF
switch. In this mode, the following HP FlexFabric 5900CP converged port connections are
available:
Ethernet connectivity
• HP FlexFabric 5900CP 10GbE/40GbE ports for Ethernet data (access/tagged-trunk).
Fibre Channel
• HP FlexFabric 5900CP F_Port to an N_Port on a node.
• HP FlexFabric 5900CP (NPIV) F_Port to an NP_Port on an NPV switch or module.
• HP FlexFabric 5900CP E_Port to an E_Port on another HP FlexFabric 5900CP FCF switch.
Port types 7