Configure storage on the host

A new LUN is offline and has no partition or file system when a Windows host first discovers it. You must bring the volume online and initialize it in Windows. Optionally, you can format the LUN with a file system.

Before you begin

The host must have discovered the LUN.

About this task

You can initialize the disk as a basic disk with a GPT or MBR partition table. Typically, you format the LUN with a file system such as New Technology File System (NTFS).

Steps

From a Windows command prompt, enter the diskpart context.
Example
```
> diskpart
```
View the list of available disks.
Example
```
> list disk
```
Select the disk to bring online.
Example
```
> select disk 1
```
Bring the disk online.
Example
```
> online disk
```
Create a partition.
Example
```
> create partition primary
```
Note: In Windows Server 2008 and later, you are prompted immediately after creating the partition to format the disk and give it a name. Select Cancel on the prompt to continue using these instructions for formatting and naming the partition.
Assign a drive letter.
Example
```
> assign letter=f
```

Format the disk.

Example

> format FS=NTFS LABEL=”New Volume” QUICK

Exit the diskpart context.
Example
```
> exit 
```