Switch element for fibre channel networks

摘要

A system for facilitating data communications in a fibre channel network is presented. The system comprises a fiber optic switch element which enables implementation of a Fibre Channel network by permitting selective interconnection of a plurality of fiber optic channels (302). The fiber optic switch element permits both circuit and frame switching. The switch element comprises a switch module (220) which is connected to at least one fabric-port within the fibre channel fabric. The switch module allocates switching bandwidth. A path allocation system (230), which is connected to the switch module, generally directs frames of data between the at least one fabric-port to other fabric-ports located within the fabric. A channel module (304) comprising a port intelligence mechanism (410) is disposed between the switch module and the fabric-ports. An element controller (240) provides centralized fabric management.