A new host is added to the SAN. The SAN includes 200 hosts. The administrator is providing the Host with one virtual device. What should be done?

The correct procedure for provisioning storage to a new host in a Fibre Channel SAN follows a specific logical sequence. First, the storage resource, a logical volume (LUN), is created on the storage array. Second, FC zoning is configured on the SAN switches to create a path, permitting communication between the new host's HBA WWPN and the storage array's target port WWPN. Third, LUN masking is configured on the storage array to control access, making the specific LUN visible only to the intended host. Finally, the host's operating system must rescan its SCSI bus to discover and mount the newly presented storage device.

A. This option is incorrect because it completely omits the essential step of zoning, which is required to establish a communication path between the host and the storage array.

C. This option is incorrect because it reverses the logical order of zoning and LUN masking. LUN masking cannot be configured for a host that cannot yet see the storage port.

D. This option is incorrect for the same reason as C. LUN mapping (synonymous with masking) must occur after zoning has established the necessary connectivity path.

1. Somasundaram, G., & Shrivastava, A. (Eds.). (2012). Information Storage and Management: Storing, Managing, and Protecting Digital Information in Classic, Virtualized, and Cloud Environments (2nd ed.). Wiley. In Chapter 5, "Fibre Channel Storage Area Networks," the section "LUN Masking" (p. 121) explains that masking is an "access control mechanism" implemented on the storage array. The preceding sections on "Zoning" (p. 118) describe it as a fabric-level function that enables communication between nodes, establishing that zoning must precede masking for the host to see the array port to which a LUN can be masked.

2. IBM. (2023). IBM Spectrum Virtualize: Host attachment and SAN configuration. IBM Documentation. In the documentation for host attachment, the process is detailed as first configuring the Fibre Channel fabric (which includes zoning) to allow the host and storage system to see each other, and then creating host objects on the storage system and mapping volumes (LUNs) to them. This confirms the sequence: Zoning -> Mapping/Masking.

3. Long, J. (2013). Storage and Network Administration Courseware. University of Washington, Professional & Continuing Education. The module on "SAN Provisioning" outlines the steps for presenting storage to a server, specifying the order as: 1. Create LUN on Array, 2. Configure Zoning on FC Switch, 3. Configure LUN Masking on Array, 4. Rescan on Host. This academic courseware directly validates the sequence in option B.