The StorageWorks SAN Switch 2/16 is the next generation of Fiber Channel SAN Fabric Switches featuring 2Gb transfer speed and the optional ability to trunk or aggregate the throughput of up to four inter switch ports. With sixteen ports users will be able to create up to four 8Gb trunked ISLs between two or more similar 2Gb switches. It also features the new, optional SFP (Small Form Factor Pluggable) connectors, which allow for higher port density that was available using GBICs. The higher speed coupled with the optional trunking feature will allow users to install these switches in pairs for use as high-speed backbone devices for joining SAN islands with little to no performance degradation. The increased performance of these switches is also appropriate where high throughput needs exist such as video streaming, intensive on-line transaction processing (OLTP), and medical imaging. The SAN Switch 2/16 combines 1Gb and 2Gb Fiber Channel throughput with new features that greatly enhance switch operation.