Network name and address elements

The basic elements of network names and addresses in a fiber optic network are as follows: global name, port address, arbitrated ring physical address, simple name server.

(1) Global name

The World Wide Name (WWN) refers to an 8-byte identifier assigned to each product that can be used for a port in a fiber optic network. The WWN is stored in non-volatile memory in a format defined by the IEEE to provide a unique identification for each product in its installed network.

When a node initially logs in to a switch, it can exchange a complete WWN of the N port with the switch. If there is no information about the N port on the switch, there will be a registration process. During this process, the N port sends Information about itself to the switch, the switch puts this information into its simple name server, making it accessible to other processes and applications.