Fibre Channel Primer

26 Fibre Channel: Connection to the Future
Fibre Channel encoding and control logic. GLMs are primarily
used to provide factory configurability but may also be field
exchanged or upgraded by users.
l Gigabit Interface Converters (GBICs) provide a serial interface to
the SERDES function. GBICs can be hot inserted or removed from
installed devices. These are particularly useful in multi-port devices
such as switches and hubs, where single ports can be reconfigured
without affecting other ports.
l Media interface Adapters (MIAs) allow users to convert copper
DB-9 connectors to multimode fibre optics. The power to support
the optical transceivers is supplied by defined pins in the DB-9
interface.
Figure 4.3 Flexible use of gigabit fibre optics or copper
Copper DB-9
Connector
Copper HSSC
Connector
Dual SC
Fibre Optic
Connector
Gigabaud
Link Module
(G.L.M.)
Media Interface
Adapter (M.I.A.)
Gigabit Interface
Converter