Detecting and counting node port loop initialization origination

A hub port in a Fiber Channel, comprising:

• a switching device, including a first input, a second input, and a control input;
• a hub data source coupled to the first input of the switching device;
• a node data source coupled to the second input of the switching device;
• a loop initialization data detect circuit coupled to the node data source and the hub data source, said detect circuit setting detect signals indicating detection of valid loop initialization when particular sequences are detected from the node data source and the hub data source;
• and
• a loop initialization counter coupled to the loop initialization data detect circuit, and to increment a count when said detect signals indicate detection of valid loop initialization with difference sequences from the node data source and the hub data source.

A Fiber Channel having a hub, comprising:

• a plurality of node ports;
• a plurality of hub ports in the hub, each hub port coupled to one of said plurality of node ports, each hub port including:
• a switching device, including a first input, a second input, and a control input,
• a hub data source coupled to the first input of the switching device,
• a node data source coupled to the second input of the switching device,
• a loop initialization data detect circuit coupled to the node data source and the hub data source, said detect circuit setting detect signals indicating detection of valid loop initialization when particular sequences are detected from the node data source and the hub data source, and
• a loop initialization counter coupled to the loop initialization data detect circuit, and to increment a count when said detect signals indicate detection of valid loop initialization with difference sequences from the node data source and the hub data source.

A method for detecting and counting loop initializations in a loop network, comprising:

• first detecting a first valid loop initialization sequence received from a node port;
• second detecting a second valid loop initialization sequence received from a hub data source, said second detecting occuring substantially simultaneous with said first detecting;
• comparing said first and second valid loop initialization sequences;
• and
• incrementing a count value if said first and second valid loop initialization sequences differ.