When integrating an XtremIO cluster into a VPLEX environment, the first activity that needs to be performed is zoning the VPLEX to the XtremIO Storage Controllers. Zoning is a SAN (Storage Area Network) configuration step that controls access between the storage and hosts, and in this case, between VPLEX and XtremIO. Here's the process:
* Zoning: This involves configuring the SAN fabric to ensure that the VPLEX directors can communicate with the XtremIO Storage Controllers.Zoning is crucial for establishing a secure and efficient connection between the two systems1.
* Provisioning Storage (OA): While provisioning storage to the host is an important step, it typically comes after the zoning has been established.
* Creating and Mapping Volumes (OB): Creating and mapping volumes dedicated to VPLEX is also a subsequent step that can only be performed after the zoning is in place.
* Initiator Groups (OC): Creating initiator groups is necessary for mapping storage to hosts, but it is not the first step in the process.The initiator groups will be used after zoning is completed to define access control for the VPLEX directors1.
In summary, the first activity to perform when adding an XtremIO cluster to a VPLEX environment is to zone the VPLEX to the XtremIO Storage Controllers (OD), as this establishes the foundational connectivity required for further configuration and provisioning steps1.