An initiator is the protocol-specific physical port that initiates the I/O exchanges with the array. In a Fibre Channel (FC) storage area network (SAN), an initiator is the FC port that is identified by a port World Wide Name (WWN). If a data host is connected to the array by two host bus adapters (HBAs), the array handles the host as two different initiators. FC array LUN masking and mapping uses initiator port identifiers to authenticate storage customers.
When a new initiator is connected into the storage environment, the array detects it and maintains a list of undefined, unassigned WWNs. When it detect a new initiator, the management software displays it on the Initiator Summary page. To complete the configuration, create an initiator by selecting one from the list, add a description of the initiator to identify it, assigning a host type, and then associating the initiator to a host. When you associate the host or its host group to a volume, you form a storage domain.
To see the current initiators, go to the Initiator Summary page, as described in Displaying Initiator Information.