SAN Target and Initiator Groups

Target and initiator groups define sets of targets and initiators that can be associated with LUNs. A LUN that is associated with a target group can only be seen via the targets in the group. If a LUN is not explicitly associated with a target group, it is in the default target group and will be accessible via all targets, regardless of protocol. Similarly, a LUN can only be seen by the initiators in the group or groups to which it belongs. If a LUN is not explicitly associated with an initiator group, it is in the default initiator group and can be accessed by all initiators. While using the default initiator group can be useful for evaluation purposes, its use is discouraged since it may result in exposure of the LUN to unwanted or conflicting initiators.

To avoid possible LUN conflicts when an initiator belongs to multiple groups, configure initiators within all groups before associating groups with LUNs.