- E Port - In expansion port mode, an interface functions as a fabric
expansion port. This port may be connected to another E port to
create an Inter-Switch Link (ISL) between two switches. E ports
carry frames between switches for configuration and fabric
management.
- F Port - In fabric port mode, an interface functions as a fabric port.
This port may be connected to a peripheral device (host or disk)
operating as an N port.
- FL Port - In fabric loop port mode, an interface functions as a fabric
loop port. This port may be connected to one or more NL ports
(including FL ports in other switches) to form a public arbitrated
loop.
- TE Port - In trunking E port mode, an interface functions as a
trunking expansion port. It may be connected to another TE port to
create an Extended ISL (EISL) between two switches. TE ports are
specific to Cisco MDS 9000 family switches.
- Fx Port- Interfaces configured as Fx ports are allowed to operate in
either F port or FL port mode. The Fx port mode is determined
during interface initialization depending on the attached N port or
NL port. This administrative configuration disallows interfaces to
operate in any other mode--for example, preventing an interface to
connect to another switch.