Abstract: A virtual Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) forwarder (vFCF) distributed in the core layer of an FCoE environment between two or more FCoE-enabled core switches by using a single virtual domain ID for the FCoE forwarders (FCFs) in a fabric is provided. In this manner, the network problem of having a single point of failure in a fabric is eliminated without needing to double the number of core switches in the FCoE environment for redundancy. Because the login and state information is distributed between the FCoE-enabled core switches of a fabric, the loss or failure of a core switch no longer means that the fabric goes down. Instead, when a core switch fails, the hosts and initiators may stay logged in through the other core switches.

Abstract: A virtual Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) forwarder (vFCF) distributed in the core layer of an FCoE environment between two or more FCoE-enabled core switches by using a single virtual domain ID for the FCoE forwarders (FCFs) in a fabric is provided. In this manner, the network problem of having a single point of failure in a fabric is eliminated without needing to double the number of core switches in the FCoE environment for redundancy. Because the login and state information is distributed between the FCoE-enabled core switches of a fabric, the loss or failure of a core switch no longer means that the fabric goes down. Instead, when a core switch fails, the hosts and initiators may stay logged in through the other core switches.

Abstract: A cap for a storage jar or the like for hospital use in storing syringe needles preparatory to disposal, in the construction of which alternating discs of steam permeable construction material and non-needle puncturable construction material, the latter with steam passageway openings, are embodied in the cap so that the syringe needles can be steam autoclaved through the cap, moving through the steam permeable discs and the steam passageway openings of the other discs, so as to sterilize the stored syringe needles, and the steam passageway openings are held out of register or alignment with each other so as to prevent projection of any stored syringe needle out of the jar and coming into contact with a hospital employee or other individual.