The full form of GFC is Gigabit Fibre Channel.
According to industry notation, as referenced, Gigabit Fibre Channel (GFC) is the designation used. While the reference specifically defines GFC, the term "GFC cable" refers to the physical cable used for Gigabit Fibre Channel connectivity.
Understanding Gigabit Fibre Channel (GFC)
Gigabit Fibre Channel is a version of the Fibre Channel technology that operates at Gigabit speeds. Fibre Channel itself is a high-speed network technology primarily used for storage area networks (SANs). It provides reliable, high-throughput data delivery, essential for connecting servers to shared storage devices.
Key Aspects
- Purpose: Primarily used for connecting servers to shared storage systems, forming a SAN.
- Technology: Provides high-speed data transfer, often significantly faster and more reliable than Ethernet for storage traffic over short to medium distances.
- Protocols: Fibre Channel supports various upper-level protocols, including those specifically designed for block storage access (like FCP for SCSI and FICON for IBM mainframes).
GFC Cables
"GFC cable" typically refers to the specific types of cables used to establish Gigabit Fibre Channel links. These can be:
- Fiber Optic Cables: The most common type for Fibre Channel, offering high bandwidth and longer distances. Different types of fiber (multimode and single-mode) are used depending on speed and distance requirements.
- Copper Cables: Used for shorter distances, often within a rack or between adjacent racks. These are less common for higher-speed Fibre Channel versions compared to fiber.
| Term | Full Form | Primary Application | Cable Type(s) Used |
|---|---|---|---|
| GFC | Gigabit Fibre Channel | High-speed storage networking | Fiber Optic, Copper |
| SAN | Storage Area Network | Dedicated storage network | Fibre Channel, iSCSI etc. |
In summary, when you encounter "GFC cable," it signifies a cable designed for use with Gigabit Fibre Channel infrastructure, enabling high-speed data communication between servers and storage in a SAN environment. The Gigabit Fibre Channel designation indicates the speed or generation of the Fibre Channel technology being utilized.
