Overview
ISO/IEC 14165-243:2012 (FC-BB-3) defines the Fibre Channel backbone-3 mappings that enable Fibre Channel (FC) frames to be carried over a variety of transport backbones. The standard specifies four mapping models: FC-BB-3_ATM (FC over ATM), FC-BB-3_SONET (FC over SONET/SDH), FC-BB-3_IP (FC over TCP/IP), and FC-BB-3_GFPT (FC over SONET/SDH/OTN/PDH using GFPT adaptation). It documents reference models, message formats, encapsulation methods, protocol procedures and service considerations needed to interoperate Fibre Channel over wide-area and backbone networks.
Key topics and requirements
- Backbone mappings and reference models for ATM, SONET, IP, and GFPT transports, including functional interfaces (B_Port, VE_Port, SE) and topology models.
- Mapping and encapsulation techniques:
- AAL5 mapping for ATM,
- HDLC-like framing for SONET/SDH,
- TCP/IP encapsulation for IP networks,
- GFPT adaptation over SONET/SDH/OTN/PDH.
- Message formats and headers (LLC/SNAP, BBW_Header, BBW payload formats) and frame encapsulation guidelines.
- Protocol procedures such as SR and Simple Flow Control (SFC), connection and platform management procedures, error detection/recovery and state machines for link setup/reset.
- Service considerations and quality constraints: latency, timeout values, throughput, reliability, QoS, bandwidth allocation, in-order delivery, payload transparency, and flow control requirements.
- Operational requirements for supporting Fibre Channel classes and handling exceptional conditions and recovery.
Applications and who uses this standard
- Storage architects and SAN designers extending Fibre Channel storage services across metropolitan or long-haul backbone networks.
- Network engineers and systems integrators implementing FC over IP, SONET/SDH, ATM, or transport networks (OTN/PDH).
- SAN and storage equipment vendors building gateways, FC-to-IP/SONET/ATM adaptors, switches and routers that interoperate with existing FC fabrics.
- Telecom carriers and service providers offering managed storage connectivity services that require encapsulation and QoS guarantees.
- Test labs and compliance teams validating interoperability, message formats, and protocol behavior across mixed backbone environments.
Related standards
- Other parts of the ISO/IEC Fibre Channel family and industry transport standards referenced in FC-BB-3 such as TCP/IP, SONET/SDH, OTN/PDH, and ATM protocols.
Keywords: ISO/IEC 14165-243, FC-BB-3, Fibre Channel backbone, Fibre Channel over IP, Fibre Channel over SONET, Fibre Channel over ATM, GFPT, SAN extension, mapping and encapsulation, QoS, flow control.
