E Port; F Port; Fl Port; Np Ports - Cisco MDS 9000 Series Configuration Manual

E Port

• The operational status represents the current status of a specified attribute, such as the interface speed.
Note When a module is removed and replaced with the same type of module, the original configuration is retained.
If a different type of module is inserted, the original configuration is no longer retained.
E Port
In expansion port (E port) mode, an interface functions as a fabric expansion port. This port can be connected
to another E port to create an Inter-Switch Link (ISL) between two switches. E ports carry frames between
switches for configuration and fabric management. They serve as a conduit between switches for frames
destined for remote N ports and NL ports. E ports support Class 2, Class 3, and Class F services.
An E port connected to another switch can also be configured to form a port channel. For more details about
configuring a port channel, see

F Port

In fabric port (F port) mode, an interface functions as a fabric port. This port can be connected to a peripheral
device (host or disk) operating as an N port. An F port can be attached to only one N port. F ports support
Class 2 and Class 3 services.

FL Port

In fabric loop port (FL port) mode, an interface functions as a fabric loop port. This port can be connected to
one or more NL ports (including FL ports in other switches) to form a public, arbitrated loop. If more than
one FL port is detected on the arbitrated loop during initialization, only one FL port becomes operational and
the other FL ports enter nonparticipating mode. FL ports support Class 2 and Class 3 services.

NP Ports

An NP port is a port on a device that is in NPV mode and connected to the core switch via an F port. NP ports
function like N ports, except that in addition to providing N port operations, they also function as proxies for
multiple physical N ports.
For more details about NP ports and NPV, see

TE Port

In trunking E port (TE port) mode, an interface functions as a trunking expansion port. It can be connected
to another TE port to create an extended ISL (EISL) between two switches. TE ports are specific to Cisco
MDS 9000 Series Multilayer Switches. These switches expand the functionality of E ports to support the
following:
• VSAN trunking
• Transport quality of service (QoS) parameters
• Fibre Channel trace (fctrace) feature
Cisco MDS 9000 Series Interfaces Configuration Guide, Release 8.x
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This status cannot be changed and is read-only. Some values, for example, operational speed, may not
be valid when the interface is down.
Configuring PortChannels, on page 217.
Configuring N Port Virtualization, on page 249
Configuring Interfaces
.