For my information

To cascade the switches, just connect one port to another. If there are no fabric conflicts (identical domain ID, zoning conflicts, TOVs, etc., the fabrics will merge. It would be wise to hard-code the port(s) you use as E-ports.

QuickLoop allows arbitrated loops to be attached to a fabric. Without modifying their drivers, private storage devices on the arbitrated loops can be accessed by public or private hosts elsewhere on the fabric

Fabric Assist allows private hosts on an arbitrated loop port to access any public or private storage device within the fabric, provided that they are assigned to a Fabric Assist mode zone.

Essentially, if you aren't using any FCAL devices, you won't want to use either. I haven't seen any shops using FCAL in quite some time, most everything now is switched fabric.