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Assign a volume

You must assign a volume (namespace) to a host or host cluster so it can be used for I/O operations. This assignment grants a host or host cluster access to one or more namespaces in a storage array.

Keep these guidelines in mind when you assign volumes:

  • You can assign a volume to only one host or host cluster at a time.
  • Assigned volumes are shared between controllers in the storage array.
  • The same namespace ID (NSID) cannot be used twice by a host or a host cluster to access a volume. You must use a unique NSID.
Assigning a volume fails under these conditions:
  • All volumes are assigned.
  • The volume is already assigned to another host or host cluster.
The ability to assign a volume is unavailable under these conditions:
  • No valid hosts or host clusters exist.
  • All volume assignments have been defined.

All unassigned volumes are displayed, but functions for hosts with or without Data Assurance (DA) apply as follows:

  • For a DA-capable host, you can select volumes that are either DA-enabled or not DA-enabled.
  • For a host that is not DA-capable, if you select a volume that is DA-enabled, a warning states that the system must automatically turn off DA on the volume before assigning the volume to the host.
  1. Select Storage > Hosts.
  2. Select the host or host cluster to which you want to assign volumes, and then click Assign Volumes.
    A dialog box appears that lists all the volumes that can be assigned. You can sort any of the columns or type something in the Filter box to make it easier to find particular volumes.
  3. Select the checkbox next to each volume that you want to assign or select the checkbox in the table header to select all volumes.
  4. Click Assign to complete the operation.

After successfully assigning a volume or volumes to a host or a host cluster, the system performs the following actions:

  • The assigned volume receives the next available NSID. The host uses the NSID to access the volume.
  • The user-supplied volume name appears in volume listings associated to the host.