Node Port

What Does Node Port Mean?

A node port (N_Port) is a port on a network node, such as a host or storage device, used in fiber channel (FC) point-to-point or FC switched fabric topologies. There are several types of node ports that are used to connect equipment to FC node fabric.

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Techopedia Explains Node Port

In FC terminology, a port is any network entity that actively communicates on a network and does not have to be a hardware port. Most ports are located on devices like FC switches, host bus adapters or disk storage.

Other node port types include:

  • Node Loop Port (NL_Port): Used with fiber channel (FC) arbitrated loop topology
  • Fabric Port (F_Port): A port on a switch that connects to a node port and is not loop capable
  • Fabric Loop Port (FL_Port): A port on a switch that connects to a NL_Port
  • Expansion Port (E_Port): A connection between two FC switches
  • EX_Port: The connection between a FC router and FC switch
  • TE_Port: A FC addition by Cisco – now a standard
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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse 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 explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…