Fabric OS Administrator’s Guide 411
53-1002745-02
Working with EX_Ports
14
Working with EX_Ports
An EX_Port is a type of E_Port (expansion port) that connects a Fibre Channel router to an edge
fabric. From the point of view of a switch in an edge fabric, an EX_Port appears as a normal E_Port;
It follows applicable Fibre Channel standards just line an E_Port. However, a router terminates an
EX_Port rather than allowing the two different fabrics to merge as would happen with an E_Port.
A connection between an EX_Port and an E_Port is called an Inter-Fabric Link (IFL). You cannot
connect two EX_Ports together; also, EX_Ports cannot be used in a FICON environment.
FIGURE 50 EX_Ports, E_Ports, IFLs, and ISLs
In-flight encryption/compression on EX_Ports
In-flight encryption/compression works on EX_Ports with trunking, QoS, and long distance enabled.
It also works with the VC_RDY and EXT_VC_RDY flow control modes.
Encryption and compression capabilities and configurations are exchanged on the IFL during
EX_Port initialization. The FCR enables encryption and compression only if both ends of the IFL
have matching capabilities and configurations.
Any mismatch in configuration at either end of the IFL or authentication failure will result in
segmentation or in rare cases the port being disabled.
Reasons for EX_Port segmentation
Here are the most common reasons for EX_Port segmentation:
• Failure to authenticate correctly.
• Encryption or compression configurations do not match at both ends.
Example: If at one end there is a switch that does not support encryption/compression,
the port will be disabled.
• Encryption or compression configuration is enabled but resources are not available, or there
are other failures preventing encryption or compression from being enabled.
• The number of available ports has reached the bandwidth limitation.
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