When two NL ports are connected in the fabric the loop initilization process starts to assign an AL_PA (Arbitrated loop physical address" to each NL port. If the port has previousy acquired an AL_PA then it will try to keep it,  but if it cant it will either get assigned a new one or be set to NP (non participating) mode - which in effect disables it.   By default it will accept the new AL_PA,  unless the port is set to NP enable.  You've got another bit in the mix called the Loop ID which is a one-byte address (00 - 7D). If the H Bit is set thie Loop ID is what the FA will try to get it's AL_PA based on this Loop ID.   If it gets it it's called a Hard Address.  If it doen't it will either accept the Soft Address (if the NP is not enabled) or reject it (if enabled) and enter into a disabled like state.  To recap... when your FA is connected to a switch port...  it's going to get assigned an loop address.  It goes something like this:  Connection made Check H Bit H Bit enabled -> use the LOOP ID to get the address (hard address)      Address accepted and assigned using Loop ID -> Open for business using hard address      Address not assisnged using Loop ID -> Check NP Bit          NP Disabled -> Accept soft address -> open for business using soft address          NP Enabled -> Reject soft address and go offline H Bit disabled -> accept the assigned addres (soft address)  Hope that makes sense its late for me..
What is the "NP" director bit settings meaning?  As per Primus emc66020  If the NP (Non-participating) flag is enabled and the H-bit is set (H is on by default and not visible), the director uses only the hard address. If it cannot get this address, it re-initializes and changes its state to non-participating (goes offline). If the NP-bit is not set, the director accepts the soft-assigned address.   What's the function of H-bit and what's different between hard address and soft-assigned address.  Thanks, June
What is the "NP" director bit settings meaning?