When configuring an IP SAN for a host, what component is used to enable the host mapping?

In the context of configuring an IP SAN (Storage Area Network) for a host, the component that enables host mapping is the iSCSI Initiator. An iSCSI Initiator is a client-side software or hardware that allows a host to connect to and communicate with the iSCSI target, which represents a storage resource.

When a host needs to access storage over an IP network, the iSCSI Initiator sends SCSI commands encapsulated in TCP packets to the iSCSI Target, which responds by providing access to the storage resources. The mapping of host access to these resources is established through the use of the iSCSI Initiator, as it helps identify the specific storage targets and facilitates the connection between the host and the storage resources.

This mapping is crucial as it determines which storage devices the host can interact with, allowing for effective data management and retrieval. In an iSCSI environment, the initiator handles the requests from the host system to the storage system, making it an essential component in the SAN infrastructure.