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What is FCID ?

In Fibre Channel (FC), the Fibre Channel ID, also known as FC_ID or FCID, is a unique identifier assigned to each Fibre Channel device within a Fibre Channel fabric. The FC_ID is a 24-bit value that helps identify and address individual devices in the fabric.

Here are a few key points about Fibre Channel IDs:

Uniqueness: Each Fibre Channel device connected to the fabric is assigned a unique FC_ID. No two devices within the same fabric can have the same FC_ID.

Dynamic Assignment: FC_IDs are dynamically assigned by the fabric switches during the device login process. When a device logs into the fabric, the switch assigns an FC_ID to that device.

Domain ID and Port ID: The FC_ID consists of two parts: the Domain ID (D_ID) and the Port ID (P_ID). The D_ID represents the switch or fabric to which the device is connected, while the P_ID represents the specific port or interface of the device within that fabric.


Routing and Addressing: The FC_ID is used for routing and addressing Fibre Channel frames within the fabric. It helps determine the path for data transmission and ensures that the frames are delivered to the correct device or port.

Range of Values: The FC_ID is a 24-bit value, which means it can range from 0 to 2^24-1 (0 to 16,777,215). However, certain FC_ID values are reserved for specific purposes, such as the well-known fabric login server (F-Port), fabric controller (FL-Port), or multicast groups.

Discovery Process: Fibre Channel devices use the FC_ID during the fabric login process to discover and establish connections with other devices in the fabric. The FC_ID plays a crucial role in identifying and differentiating devices within the fabric.

It's important to note that the FC_ID is specific to the Fibre Channel fabric and is different from other identifiers used in Fibre Channel, such as the World Wide Name (WWN) or the World Wide Port Name (WWPN), which are unique identifiers assigned to Fibre Channel devices for addressing purposes.

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