Fibre Channel provides a general data transport vehicle for Upper Level Protocols (ULPs) such as Intelligent Peripheral Interface (IPI) and Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) command sets, the High-Performance Parallel Interface (HIPPI) data framing, IP (Internet Protocol), ANSI/IEEE 802.2, and others. This ISO/IEC standard for FC-SW specifies tools and algorithms for interconnection and initialization of Fibre Channel switches to create a multi-switch Fibre Channel Fabric. This Standard defines an E_Port (iPExpansion Portlp) that operates in a manner similar to an N_Port and F_Port, as defined in ISO/IEC 14165-111, with additional functionality provided for interconnecting switches. This standard decribes the following: - An overview of the Switched-based Fabric; - The general behavior for all modes of the Switch Port; - The services provided for use by the Switch Fabrics; - Fabric Configuration process.