Abstract: Disclosed is a system method and software for user customizable device insertion. A new device is to be inserted in a loop based network such as an FC-AL network. The network is facilitated by a dedicated networking element, such as a switch. In order to ensure that the new device does not adversely affect the network, the new device is tested before it is inserted. Several tests are provided and the user is allowed to choose which tests are to be used. Alternatively, the user is allowed to define his/her own tests. The device is inserted into the network only after it has satisfactorily completed the applicable tests.

Abstract: The synchronization of trunk failover between two FC-AL switches when a primary trunk failure occurs is disclosed. If primary trunk T1 should fail, S1 bypasses the cascade port and sends a MaRK (MRK) ordered set out over duplicate trunk T2 to switch S2. In response, S2 sends an acknowledgement MRK ordered set over T2 back to S1. S1 then reconfigures the switch to establish T2 as the primary trunk, and acts as a masters in the failover process and initiates LIP ordered sets which are communicated to all devices in the system to initialize them. Note that when S2 receives the MRK ordered set and acknowledges it by sending an acknowledgement MRK back to S1, it acts as a slave in the failover process and does not attempt to initiate LIPs, thereby eliminating the possibility of multiple Loop Initialization cycles and reducing the time in which data cannot be transmitted.