Installation guide

2 – General Description
Fibre Channel Ports
59096-00 A 2-7
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2.2.2
Transceivers
The SANbox 5602 switch supports SFP optical transceivers for the
1-Gbps/2-Gbps ports and XPAK optical transceivers for the 10-Gbps ports. A
transceiver converts electrical signals to and from optical laser signals to transmit
and receive data. Duplex fiber optic cables plug into the transceivers which then
connect to the devices. A 1-Gbps/2-Gbps port is capable of transmitting at
1-Gbps, 2-Gbps, or 4-Gbps; however, the transceiver must also be capable of
delivering at these rates.
The SFP and XPAK transceivers are hot pluggable. This means that you can
remove or install a transceiver while the switch is operating without harming the
switch or the transceiver. However, communication with the connected device will
be interrupted. Refer to “Install Transceivers” on page 4-4 for information about
installing and removing SFP and XPAK optical transceivers.
2.2.3
Port Types
SANbox 5602 switches support generic ports (G_Port, GL_Port), fabric ports
(F_Port, FL_Port), and expansion ports (E_Port). Switches come from the factory
with all 1-Gbps/2-Gbps ports configured as GL_Ports. The 10-Gbps ports come
from the factory configured as G_Ports. Generic, fabric, and expansion ports
function as follows:
 A GL_Port self-configures as an FL_Port when connected to a public loop
device, as an F_Port when connected to a single public device, or as an
E_Port when connected to another switch. If the device is a single device on
a loop, the GL_Port will attempt to configure first as an F_Port, then if that
fails, as an FL_Port.
 A G_Port self-configures as an F_Port when connected to a single public
device, or as an E_Port when connected to another switch.
 An FL_Port supports a loop of up to 126 public devices. An FL_Port can also
configure itself during the fabric login process as an F_Port when connected
to a single public device (N_Port).
 An F_Port supports a single public device.
E_Ports enable you to expand the fabric by connecting SANbox 5602 switches.
SANbox 5602 switches self-discover all inter-switch connections. Refer to
“Multiple Chassis Fabrics” on page 3-6 for more information about multiple
chassis fabrics. Refer to the SANbox 5602 Switch Management User’s Guide for
information about defining port types.