PowerPath: Auto Initiator Group (IG) creation using Host Name is not automated, no IG created

During setup of a new server connecting to a PowerMax array, the customer is expected to see an Initiator Group (IG) created automatically.
This is not happening without using a CLI command or Unisphere for PowerMax.

All configuration is set correctly as per the Array and PowerPath options below.

symcfg -sid XXXX list -v
    PowerPath Initiator Registration     : Enabled
    PowerPath Host Registration          : Enabled

powermt display options
        Symmetrix     auto host registration = enabled

This is working as designed. When we say automated IG creation, we do not mean that the IG is automatically created when you zone.

It means that the user can create an IG using a CLI command by only specifying the hostname. The array automatically figures out all the WWPNs that belong to this host and the IG is created.

Customer must manually create the IG using the hostname that was auto created by PowerPath and PowerMax. It is unnecessary to add initiators as it is added automatically.

symaccess -sid <SymmID> -name <GroupName> -type initiator [-consistent_lun] create -host <HostName>

The following Solutions Enabler command lists the PowerPath host names <HostName> registered on the array.

symcfg -sid XXXX list -ppreg -v

PowerPath Initiator Registration must be Enabled for PowerPath to be able to register the host unless there is a LUN assigned to the host already.

A new device type called LUNZ (similar to what Unity/VNX/clarion has) was added to PowerMax 5978 code. This LUNZ has a Fibre Channel address of 0xF7 (247). The array exposes a LUNZ device to the host in cases where no device is masked to that host. This allows PowerPath to register the PowerPath host Registration information about the array. LUNZ should disappear when a real device is masked to that host or if the PowerPath Initiator or Host Registration is disabled.

PowerPath Initiator Registration controls the new LUNZ for PowerMax. Although both the "PowerPath Initiator Registration" and "PowerPath Host Registration" must be enabled for a LUNZ to be presented down the FA.

See also KB Dell EMC PowerPath: LUNZ is still visible to the host even after disabling PowerPath Initiator Registration on the PowerMax array (A Dell Support account is required to view this article)

Product Enhancement Requests can be sent to the Program Manager over https://contact.dell.com/Product_Enhancement_Request

The ACLX device can also be used as the device PowerPath can use to register with on the PowerMax.