This article provides a step-by-step guide for creating a cascaded initiator group in VMAX, a popular virtualization platform that offers scalable and high-performance storage solutions for businesses of all sizes. A cascaded initiator group is a type of initiator group where multiple hosts share the same storage resources via initiators connected through a switch or other network device.
One benefit of this approach is greater scalability and flexibility, allowing for easy addition of new hosts without requiring new storage resources. Hosts can also be easily moved between different storage arrays, leading to cost savings. However, cascaded initiator groups can also have potential drawbacks such as performance issues if the network device used becomes a bottleneck and increased complexity that requires greater technical expertise.
To create a cascaded initiator group in VMAX, follow these steps:
- Create a new initiator group using default settings.
- Connect each host to the storage array via its own initiator, connected through a single network device with other initiators in the group.
- Configure the network device to cascade the initiators through a uplink or other connection.
- Verify that all hosts can access the storage resources and data is being written and read correctly.
Before implementing this approach, it’s important to understand the potential drawbacks and weigh them against the benefits for your specific needs. It’s also important to have the necessary technical expertise to properly configure and manage a cascaded initiator group.
