Kenneth Blair Ocheltree

A comparison of fibre channel and 802 MAC services

As the differences between channels and networks narrow, the services and capabilities of channels need to be examined relative to those of networks. A comparison is made between the Fibre Channel protocol and networking protocols. Specific features of the Fibre Channel protocol are compared with those of the Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) LAN protocol and 802.2-type media access controllers (MACs). Fibre Channel may, in the future, fill a role where it serves as a single communication medium providing both channel and network services.

FDDI ring management

Ring management is a recent addition to the ANSI FDDI (fiber distributed data interface) standard that provides a mechanism for solving two of the more difficult problems: discontinuities in the token path due to stuck faults, and ring initialization failures due to duplicate addresses. These problems are described, and the use of distributed management, as set out in the standard, to solve them is discussed. Each attachment to the FDDI ring monitors for fault symptoms and starts recovery processes when appropriate.<<ETX>>

An approach for rapid protocol development: experiences with the proposed Fibre Channel Standard

This paper describes a rapid protocol development approach that enables protocol verification through the design and development stages. Feedback from verification analysis can be very useful to protocol designers, but it is often difficult to stay current with the protocols development. Our approach facilitates quick turnaround in the development and verification process-even before the protocol is stable. American National Standards Committee X3T9.3 has chartered the development of Fibre Channel (FC), a proposed standard for serial I/O channel capable of supporting a wide range of zipper layer protocols. Despite the complexity of FC, we have used our approach to both verify it and to produce a software and hardware implementation of the protocol. We describe features that enable rapid turnaround in response to revisions of the standard and maintenance of a stable suite of test cases for the standard. The approach has also been applied to other protocols.<<ETX>>

A simulation design for verification and development of Fibre Channel

The design of a simulator that is being used to verify Fibre Channel (a proposed standard for a serial I/O channel) is discussed. The complexity and incomplete state of the standard make verification through simulation both important and difficult. The simulator is also intended for subsequent use as a tool for Fibre Channel development. The need to meet the requirements of both verification and development has important implications of the simulators design. These implications are described, together with some of the resulting tradeoffs.