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Create host access and assign volumes

Creating a host is one of the steps required to let the storage array know which hosts are attached to it and to allow I/O access to the volumes. A host can be created automatically or manually.

  • Automatic — Automatic host creation for SCSI-based hosts is initiated by the Host Context Agent (HCA). The HCA is a utility that you can install on each host attached to the storage array. Each host that has the HCA installed pushes its configuration information to the storage array controllers through the I/O path. Based on the host information, the controllers automatically create the host and the associated host ports and set the host type. If needed, you can make any additional changes to the host configuration

    After the HCA performs its automatic detection, the host is automatically configured with the following attributes:
    • The host name derived from the system name of the host.
    • The host identifier ports that are associated with the host.
    • The Host Operating System Type of the host.
    Note
    Hosts are created as stand-alone hosts; the HCA does not automatically create or add to host clusters.

  • Manual — During manual host creation, you associate host port identifiers by selecting them from a list or manually entering them. After you create a host, you can assign volumes to it or add it to a host cluster if you plan to share access to volumes.