A comparison of fibre channel and 802 MAC services

Abstract

As the differences between channels and networks narrow, the services and capabilities of channels need to be examined relative to those of networks. A comparison is made between the Fibre Channel protocol and networking protocols. Specific features of the Fibre Channel protocol are compared with those of the Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) LAN protocol and 802.2-type media access controllers (MACs). Fibre Channel may, in the future, fill a role where it serves as a single communication medium providing both channel and network services.