5–62 CLI Commands
INITIALIZE
Initializes or destroys metadata on a container. During initialization, a small amount
of disk space is reserved for controller metadata and is made inaccessible to the host.
Disks made transportable do not contain controller metadata.
Syntax
INITIALIZE container-name
CAUTION: The INITIALIZE command destroys all user data on the con-
tainer unless you enter the NODESTROY switch. The NODESTROY switch
is only valid on mirrorsets and striped mirrorsets.
If you initialize a transportable disk, any metadata contained on the disk is destroyed
and the entire disk drive is accessible by the host. The drive does not have the error
detection and data security provided by the metadata that is on notransportable disks.
Use the INITIALIZE command when:
■ Creating a unit from a newly installed disk.
■ Creating a unit from a newly created RAIDset, stripeset, or mirrorset.
■ Initializing the data structure of a previously partitioned container.
Do not use the INITIALIZE command when:
■ Creating a unit from the same disks previously initialized, such as when a
RAIDset is moved.
■ Creating a storageset from existing members.
■ Adding a RAIDset with the REDUCED switch.