Q. Do you have the ability to acquire data on 2 FC-AL streams?

A. Yes the FS4300 can acquire data from two streams. The FS4300 supports acquisition of data on two links. Data received in can either be re-transmitted out on the same GBIC or transmitted on the other GBIC. By re-transmitting the data back out on the GBIC that received it 2 separate FC-AL streams can be monitored (and presented in a time correlated listing if required). By feeding the data between the 2 GBICs the FS4300 can be used to monitor data into and out of a node.

Q. Do you have the ability to apply filters to avoid storing unwanted data (idles, primitives) to maximize usage of acquisition memory? Further, do you have the ability to capture & store only specific parts of frame traffic (e.g. only headers, not payload)?

A. The FS4300 generates separate clocks for "unique" events, repeated primitives (including idles) and FCP payload after the first 4 words (the first 4 are clocked with the "unique" clock). Therefore, by simply selecting the clock it is possible to filter all primitives (except the first occurrence so that you know primitives are occurring) and FCP data payload other than the first 4 words. To filter all data payloads the FS4300 provides "qualification signals" that may be used with the logic analyzers' storage qualification functions to control what is captured in acquisition memory.

Q. Do you have the ability to capture frames addressed to a specific device in a loop? What about the possibility of capturing & storing frames relevant to selected participants in a multi-initiator/device loop (an extension of the previous question)? Further, what about the ability to capture specific types or groups of frames (e.g. loop initialization, or just disk reads)?

A. Yes to all 3. Using the storage qualification mechanism and the qualifier signals from the FS4300, you can capture frames addressed to a particular D_ID, originating from a particular S_ID, between particular nodes, or of a particular frame type.

Q. Do you have the ability to highlight link errors (illegal 8/10 characters or primitives) amongst captured data?

A. Yes, the FS4300 detects 8b/10b coding errors, primitive errors (when a ordered set is detected beginning with K28.5 but the next 3 symbols cannot be decoded into a valid primitive) and framing errors (primitive encountered inside a frame). All the errors are clearly identified in the listing window by descriptive text strings. In addition, on the newer Logic Analysis Systems (e.g. 16700/702) errors are highlighted with different colors.

Q. Which GBIC's should I use?

Gigabit Interface Converters (GBIC) plug into the FS4300 Fibre Channel Analysis Probe and adapt the data input to the Fibre Channel medium that is being used. The FS4300 requires a 5 volt GBIC between the FS4300 and each Fibre Channel being analyzed (up to two can be analyzed simultaneously). FuturePlus Systems does not recommend, qualify or supply GBIC's. The GBIC's used during design verification testing were supplied by Finisar Corporation and Vixel Corporation.

Q. How do I find out what are the latest versions of Agilent logic analyzer operating software?

A. Contact your nearest Agilent Call Center.

Q. How do I know which Agilent logic analyzer is best for my needs?

A. Click here.

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