Specifications

Glossary
112 Continuous Access and Data Replication Manager SAN Extensions Reference Guide
dark fiber
Unused fiber optic cable.
data rate
The amount of data transferred per second by a communications channel, computing device, or
storage device.
default gateway
The default path that a computer or router uses to forward and route data between two or more
networks that have different protocols.
dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM)
Transmitting multiple, closely spaced wavelengths through the same fiber. The result is
wavelength spacings of 1 nanometer or less.
fabric
A network of one or more Fibre Channel switches
FCIP
A configuration in which Fibre Channel Protocol data is transmitted via an Internet Protocol
intersite link.
Fibre Channel
A technology protocol standardized by ANSI that allows very high-speed, switching-based
serial transmissions.
Fibre Channel switch
A device that provides high-speed, high-bandwidth routing of data (in Fibre Channel protocol)
via link-level addressing.
frame
The basic unit of communication using the Fibre Channel Protocol. Each frame consists of a
payload encapsulated in control information. The maximum size of the payload is 2112 bytes.
full copy
A copy operation in which all 1 MB blocks written on a source disk since it was created are
replicated to a destination disk.
gigabit interface converter (GBIC)
A standard transceiver with specified dimensions that converts electrical signals used by Fibre
Channel devices for transmission over either optical or copper media. GBICs are hot swappable.
Optical GBICs use SC connectors.
high availability
Redundant systems, software, and IT processes to reduce the risk of downtime. No single point
of failure.