{
  "status": "shipping",
  "advantages": [],
  "limitations": [],
  "supersedes": [],
  "supersededBy": [],
  "firstSeen": null,
  "lastSeen": null,
  "updated": "2026-11-02",
  "slug": "fcoe-initialization-protocol",
  "term": "FCoE Initialization Protocol (FIP)",
  "aliases": [
    "FIP"
  ],
  "definition": "FCoE Initialization Protocol discovers FCoE entities and establishes and maintains their virtual links.",
  "note": "Control traffic: FIP supports VLAN and Fibre Channel Forwarder discovery, encapsulates fabric-login exchanges, and maintains virtual links with keepalives. It is distinct from ordinary FCoE data encapsulation. [fcoe-guide]",
  "related": [
    "fcoe",
    "fibre-channel",
    "data-center-bridging"
  ],
  "citations": [
    {
      "id": "fcoe-guide",
      "title": "Cisco MDS 9000 FCoE Configuration Guide, Release 8.x: FCoE, FIP and frame formats",
      "url": "https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/switches/datacenter/mds9000/sw/8_x/config/fcoe/cisco_mds9000_fcoe_config_guide_8x/configuring_fcoe.html",
      "accessed": "2026-11-02"
    }
  ],
  "provenance": [
    "The Cisco Release 8.x guide describes a fabric-based FIP workflow; implementation support must be checked for the actual adapters and switches. [fcoe-guide]"
  ]
}