3–Fibre Channel Configuration
Enabling QLogic Forward Error Correction
94
BK3254601-00 C
"Bios Version: 3.26"
"Vendor Identifier: QLOGIC"
Enabling QLogic Forward Error Correction
QConvergeConsole supports the forward error correction (FEC) feature, which is
a correction technique used for high-speed telecommunications devices to control
errors in data transmission over unreliable or noisy communication channels.
FEC is mandatory when operating at 32Gb line rate. Gen6 32Gb-capable
adapters are required to support it, and FEC is automatically enabled when
operating at 32G. If the 32G-capable adapter is operating at 16G, enabling FEC is
optional, just as it is on QLE269
x
-DEL adapters.
FEC Process Overview
The following highlights how the FEC process works between the transmitting and
receiving device:
1.
Transmitter Device:
a.
Takes the incoming data stream.
b.
Inserts a redundant amount of parity bits of information on the data
stream.
c.
Sends the data stream.
2.
Receiving Device:
a.
Receives the data stream.
b.
Checks for missing or corrupt data:
If there are no corrupt or missing bits of information, the receiving
device proceeds with normal process.
If there are corrupt or missing bits of information, the receiving
device reconstructs the original data by using pieces of the
original data stream (that are still intact) and combining those
with the parity bits of information.
NOTE
The switch and the Fibre Channel end device must both support the FEC
feature. See
for the supported Fibre Channel
software version.
