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Cisco Nexus 7000
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Cisco MDS 9500
FIP Ethernet Frame Format
FIP is encapsulated in an Ethernet packet with a dedicated EtherType, 0x8914. The packet has a 4-bit version
field. Along with the source and destination MAC addresses, the FIP packet also contains a FIP operation
code and a FIP operation subcode. The following table describes the FIP operation codes and subcodes.
Table 3: FIP Operation Codes
FIP Operation
FIP Subcode
FIP Operation Code
Discovery Solicitation
0x01
0x0001
Discovery Advertisement
0x02
Virtual Link Instantiation Request
0x01
0x0002
Virtual Link Instantiation Reply
0x02
FIP Keepalive
0x01
0x0003
FIP Clear Virtual Links
0x02
FIP VLAN Request
0x01
0x0004
FIP VLAN Notification
0x02
DCBX
Data Center Bridging Exchange Protocol
The Data Center Bridging Exchange (DCBX) protocol is an extension of the Link Layer Discovery Protocol
(LLDP). DCBX end points exchange request and acknowledgment messages. For flexibility, parameters are
coded in a type-length-value (TLV) format. Cisco NX-OS switches support the Converged Enhanced Ethernet
Data Center Bridging Exchange (CEE-DCBX) is supported on all T11-compliant Generation 2 CNAs.
DCBX runs on the physical Ethernet link between the switch and the CNA. By default, DCBX is enabled on
Ethernet interfaces. When an Ethernet interface is brought up, the switch automatically starts to communicate
with the CNA.
During the normal operation of FCoE between the switch and the CNA, DCBX provides link-error detection.
DCBX is also used to negotiate capabilities between the switch and the CNA and to send configuration values
to the CNA.
Cisco NX-OS FCoE Configuration Guide for Nexus 7000 and MDS 9500
OL-25809-02
5
FCoE
DCBX