Method for validating operation of a fibre link

A method for validating operation of a fiber link when the fiber link is initialized includes the steps of entering a trial link up state upon receiving a command to initialize the fiber link so that normal commands to other devices within the fiber channel loop are not resumed, and thereafter entering a final link up state and resuming normal commands to other devices within the fiber channel loop. In exemplary embodiments, the method may be implemented by devices within a system such as a disk array system of a storage area network (SAN), or the like.