Editing Fibre Channel (section)

==Ports==
[[File:Fibre Channel Topologies.svg|thumb|FC topologies and port types: This diagram shows how N_Ports can be connected to a fabric or to another N_Port. A Loop Port (L_Port) communicates through a shared loop and is rarely used anymore.]]

Fibre Channel ports come in a variety of logical configurations. The most common types of ports are:
* '''N_Port (Node port)''' An N_Port is typically an HBA port that connects to a switch's F_Port or another N_Port. Nx_Port communicating through a PN_Port that is not operating a Loop Port State Machine.<ref name="FC-FS-4" />
* '''F_Port (Fabric port)''' An F_Port is a switch port that is connected to an N_Port.<ref name="FC-SW-6" />
* '''E_Port (Expansion port)''' Switch port that attaches to another E_Port to create an Inter-Switch Link.<ref name="FC-SW-6" />

Fibre Channel Loop protocols create multiple types of Loop Ports:
* '''L_Port (Loop port)''' FC_Port that contains Arbitrated Loop functions associated with the Arbitrated Loop topology.<ref name="FC-SW-6" />
* '''FL_Port (Fabric Loop port)''' L_Port that is able to perform the function of an F_Port, attached via a link to one or more NL_Ports in an Arbitrated Loop topology.<ref name="FC-SW-6" />
* '''NL_Port (Node Loop port)''' PN_Port that is operating a Loop port state machine.<ref name="FC-SW-6" />

If a port can support loop and non-loop functionality, the port is known as:
* '''Fx_Port''' switch port capable of operating as an F_Port or FL_Port.<ref name="FC-FS-4" />
* '''Nx_Port''' end point for Fibre Channel frame communication, having a distinct address identifier and Name_Identifier, providing an independent set of FC-2V functions to higher levels, and having the ability to act as an Originator, a Responder, or both.<ref name="FC-FS-4" />

[[File:FC-platform-vnode.svg|360px|thumb|A Port has a physical structure as well as logical or virtual structure. This diagram shows how a virtual port may have multiple physical ports and vice versa.]]

Ports have virtual components and physical components and are described as:
* '''PN_Port''' entity that includes a Link_Control_Facility and one or more Nx_Ports.<ref name="FC-SW-6" />
* '''VF_Port (Virtual F_Port)''' instance of the FC-2V sublevel that connects to one or more VN_Ports.<ref name="FC-SW-6" />
* '''VN_Port (Virtual N_Port)''' instance of the FC-2V sublevel. VN_Port is used when it is desired to emphasize support for multiple Nx_Ports on a single Multiplexer (e.g., via a single PN_Port).<ref name="FC-FS-4" />
* '''VE_Port (Virtual E_Port)''' instance of the FC-2V sublevel that connects to another VE_Port or to a B_Port to create an Inter-Switch Link.<ref name="FC-SW-6" />

The following types of ports are also used in Fibre Channel:
* '''A_Port (Adjacent port)''' combination of one PA_Port and one VA_Port operating together.<ref name="FC-SW-6">Fibre Channel - Switch Fabric 6 (FC-SW-6)</ref>
* '''B_Port (Bridge Port)''' Fabric inter-element port used to connect bridge devices with E_Ports on a Switch.<ref name="FC-FS-4">[https://webstore.ansi.org/standards/incits/incits4882016 Fibre Channel - Framing and Signaling - 4 (FC-FS-4)]</ref>
* '''D_Port (Diagnostic Port)''' A configured port used to perform diagnostic tests on a link with another D_Port.<ref name="BCFA Nutshell" />
* '''EX_Port''' A type of E_Port used to connect to an FC router fabric.<ref name="BCFA Nutshell" />
* '''G_Port (Generic Fabric port)''' Switch port that may function either as an E_Port, A_Port, or as an F_Port.<ref name="FC-SW-6" />
* '''GL_Port (Generic Fabric Loop port)''' Switch port that may function either as an E_Port, A_Port, or as an Fx_Port.<ref name="FC-SW-6" />
* '''PE_Port''' LCF within the Fabric that attaches to another PE_Port or to a B_Port through a link.<ref name="FC-FS-4" />
* '''PF_Port''' LCF within a Fabric that attaches to a PN_Port through a link.<ref name="FC-FS-4" />
* '''TE_Port (Trunking E_Port) A trunking expansion port that''' expands the functionality of E ports to support VSAN trunking, Transport quality of service (QoS) parameters, and Fibre Channel trace (fctrace) feature.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/mds9000/sw/4_1/configuration/guides/fm_4_1/fmguide.html|title=Cisco MDS 9000 Family Fabric Manager Configuration Guide, Release 4.x|date=November 11, 2013|publisher=Cisco Systems, Inc.|access-date=June 28, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160821064642/https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/mds9000/sw/4_1/configuration/guides/fm_4_1/fmguide.html|archive-date=August 21, 2016}}</ref>
* '''U_Port''' '''(Universal port)''' A port waiting to become another port type<ref name="BCFA Nutshell">{{Cite web|url=https://www.brocade.com/content/dam/common/documents/content-types/education-study-tools/brocade-bcfa-nutshell-certification-study-tools.pdf|title=BCFA in a Nutshell Study Guide for Exam|date=February 2014|publisher=Brocade Communications, Inc.|access-date=June 28, 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907185312/http://www.brocade.com/content/dam/common/documents/content-types/education-study-tools/brocade-bcfa-nutshell-certification-study-tools.pdf|archive-date=September 7, 2015}}</ref>
* '''VA_Port (Virtual A_Port)''' instance of the FC-2V sublevel of Fibre Channel that connects to another VA_Port.<ref name="FC-SW-6" />
* '''VEX_Port''' VEX_Ports are no different from EX_Ports, except underlying transport is IP rather than FC.<ref name="BCFA Nutshell" />