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GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY LEADER OF FIBER OPTIC SUBSYSTEMS AND NETWORK TEST SYSTEMS
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ML250 Fibre Channel Architecture & Instrumentation


BASIC ELEMENTS OF THE FIBRE CHANNEL SAN
This section identifies the basic features of and the premises upon which Fibre Channel technology has been designed. Fibre Channel specific objects and terminology are defined. Upon completion students are able to:
  • Identify the basic features of Fibre Channel.
  • Identify three topologies which may be created with Fibre Channel.
  • Define the Nodes and Ports used in Fibre Channel.
  • Explain how the Node and Port types are related.
  • Discuss intermix and its effect on the SAN.
HARDWARE ELEMENTS OF FIBRE CHANNEL
This section details the various hardware components used in Fibre Channel SANs. Upon completion students are able to:
  • Describe the Host Bus Adapter and its function in the SAN.
  • Identify the transceivers used with Fibre Channel.
  • Explain the difference between Fibre Channel hubs and switches.
  • Identify devices used to extend the distance between Fibre Channel devices.
FC- 0 THE FIBRE CHANNEL PHYSICAL LAYER
This section discusses the features of the physical layer (FC-0) of Fibre Channel. Upon completion students are able to:
  • Identify the media types supported by Fibre Channel technology.
  • Explain the difference between single-mode and multi-mode optical transmissions.
  • Define jitter and explain its effect on transmission signal.
  • Identify two ways to recover the clock signal in Fibre Channel.
FC-1 ENCODING & DECODING - THE SIGNALING LAYER
This section introduces the signal encoding concepts of the signaling layer (FC-1) of Fibre Channel. Trace analysis is used to investigate the encoding scheme and ordered sets of a transmission. Upon completion students are able to:
  • Explain why encoding is used in Fibre Channel.
  • Define Current Running Disparity (CRD) and explain how it is used.
  • Explain the difference between Data Characters and Special Characters.
  • Identify the Special Character used in Fibre Channel and how it is used.
  • Define three Ordered Sets (Primitive Signals, Primitive Sequences & Frame Delimiters) and explain their usage.
FC-2 FIBRE CHANNEL FRAMING PROTOCOL
This section introduces the format and usage of the Fibre Channel Frame as defined by the FC-2 layer of the Fibre Channel protocol. Fibre Channel control and management, including available credit models, are also introduced and illustrated. Upon completion students are able to:
  • Define and illustrate the usage of Exchanges, Sequences and Frames.
  • Explain the principles of Segmentation and Reassembly.
  • Describe all Classes of Service defined by the Fibre Channel standard.
  • Identify the features and benefits of the most common class of service used in Fibre Channel implementations.
  • Define and explain the differences between the Buffer-toBuffer credit model and the End-to-End credit model.
  • Identify the layout of a Fibre Channel Frame.
  • Identify the fields of the Fibre Channel Frame header.
BEHAVIOR IN A FIBRE CHANNEL FABRIC
This section details the behaviors of a Fibre Channel switch as defined by FC-SW-2 standard. Fibre Channel naming and addressing are covered along with the initialization steps for logging in with a switch. Fibre Channel Zoning concepts are investigated. Connections between two or more switches (Inter-Switch Links) are also discussed and illustrated. Trace analysis is used to demonstrate both real-world login between a node and a switch and the initialization of an Inter-Switch Link (ISL). Upon completion students are able to:
  • Describe the features of the Fibre Channel World Wide Name and discuss when it is exchanged.
  • Identify three well-known servers and their function on the Fibre Channel switch.
  • Diagram the initialization steps required to bring up a link between a node and the switch.
  • Define what information is exchanged during FLOGI, PLOGI and PRLI.
  • Describe the process for registering for state change notifications and identify what types of devices typically register to receive notifications.
  • Define the usage of RSCN frames.
  • Describe the difference between Hard Zoning, Soft Zoning and Broadcast Zoning.
  • Discuss the industry complications surrounding zoning between different switch vendors.
  • Diagram the process of initializing an ISL between two switches from two different vendors.List the variables which help determine which switch becomes the Principle Switch during ISL creation.
BEHAVIOR IN A FIBRE CHANNEL ARBITRATED LOOP
This section covers the behavior of a Fibre Channel Loop as defined by FC-AL-2 standard. Basic loop architecture and subsequent behavior is investigated. Trace analysis is used to further examine the loop initialization process. Upon completion students are able to:
  • Identify the address structure for a Loop device.
  • Explain the difference between a Public Loop and a Private Loop.
  • Explain the LIP process including all stages of Loop initialization (LISM, LIFA, LIPA, LIHA, LISA, LIRP, LILP).
  • Explain how Fairness may be built into the Loop.
  • Describe the overall process for sending frames including the Open/Close functions and credit distribution on the Loop.
FC-4 FIBRE CHANNEL UPPER LAYER PROTOCOL (ULP)
This section covers the actual mapping of SCSI commands, data and status into Fibre Channel Frames as defined by FCP-SCSI. A short review of basic SCSI terminology and behavior is included. Trace analysis covers various SCSI commands (e.g. Read, Write, Inquire, Test Unit Ready) carried over Fibre Channel as a transport layer. Upon completion students are able to:
  • Describe what SCSI information is supplied during Process Login.
  • Describe the three phases of a basic SCSI operation and how they are mapped into Fibre Channel Information Units.
  • Identify the contents of FCP_CMD, FCP_DATA, FCP_CONF frames.
  • Explain the significance of the FCP_XFR_RDY frame including when it is used.
  • Map and diagram SCSI Read, Write and Task Management functions to Fibre Channel exchanges.
10 GIGABIT FIBRE CHANNEL
This section discusses the changes to the FC-0 and FC-1 layers of Fibre Channel to support 10 Gigabit Fibre Channel transmission. A basic discussion of industry acceptance and the current status of 10 Gigabit Fibre Channel is also conducted. Upon completion students are able to:
  • Identify the encoding scheme used for 10 gigabit Fibre Channel transmission.
  • Identify the control (special) characters used for 10 gigabit Fibre Channel signaling.
  • List the classes of service supported by 10 gigabit Fibre Channel.
  • Explain some of the common approaches (XAUI, XGMII) vendors are using to achieve 10 gigabit Fibre Channel transmission.