Connectrix DS-32M2 User Guide
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Glossary
Fiber optics The branch of optical technology concerned with the transmission of 
radiant power through fibers made of transparent materials such as 
glass, fused silica, and plastic.
Either a single discrete fiber or a nonspatially aligned fiber bundle 
can be used for each information channel. Such fibers are often called 
optical fibers to differentiate them from fibers used in 
non-communication applications.
Fibre Channel The general name of an integrated set of ANSI standards that define 
new protocols for flexible information transfer. Logically, Fibre 
Channel is a high-performance serial data channel.
Firmware The program code (embedded software) that resides and executes on 
a connectivity device, such as a Connectrix switch, a Symmetrix Fibre 
Channel director, or a host bus adapter (HBA).
Flash Memory A computer chip with a read-only memory that retains its data when 
the power is turned off, and that can be erased and reprogrammed 
without being removed from the circuit board.
F_Port Fabric Port, a physical interface within the fabric. An F_Port attaches 
to an N_Port through a point-to-point full-duplex link connection.
Frame The smallest indivisible packet of data that is sent on a link. 
Frame Header Control information placed before data when encapsulating data for 
network transmission.
FRU Field-Replaceable Unit, a hardware component that can be replaced 
as an entire unit. The Connectrix switch Product Manager can display 
status for the FRUs installed in the unit.
G
Gateway Address In TCP/IP, a device that connects two systems that use the same 
or different protocols. 
G_Port A physical interface within the fabric capable of acting either as an 
F_Port or an E_Port (extension port) depending on the port type at 
the other end of the link.
GUI Graphical user interface.