Expansion Port

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What Does Expansion Port Mean?

An Expansion port (E_port) is an inter-switch port used in fiber channel topology to connect two fiber switches. An E_port is connected to another E_port to create an inter-switch link (ISL). The E_port carries frames between switches, which are used for fabric management and configuration. It functions as a channel between switches for frames that are intended for Node ports (N_port), Node Loop ports (NL_port) or Nx_ports.

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Techopedia Explains Expansion Port

A fiber channel is a high-speed network that connects a number of computer systems and provides a dependable and remote OS interface that requires high bandwidth. The E_port is the point where frames pass between fabric switches. A frame with a destination exits a local switch through an E_port, unless the frame is intended for the switch, N_Port or NL_Port. After a frame passes through the E_port, it is forwarded to a local or final destination.

Each E_port has a unique name within the fabric. An interactive system language (ISL) is used to transmit and receive frames within the fabric, N_port and NL_port. The E_port supports Class 2, Class 3 and Class F services.

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Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert
Margaret Rouse
Technology Expert

Margaret is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.