diff --git a/cinder/tests/unit/volume/drivers/test_pure.py b/cinder/tests/unit/volume/drivers/test_pure.py
index dbd99c65a05..06d0cc818a2 100644
--- a/cinder/tests/unit/volume/drivers/test_pure.py
+++ b/cinder/tests/unit/volume/drivers/test_pure.py
@@ -3229,6 +3229,7 @@ class PureISCSIDriverTestCase(PureBaseSharedDriverTestCase):
         mock_generate.assert_called_with(HOSTNAME)
         self.array.create_host.assert_called_with(PURE_HOST_NAME,
                                                   iqnlist=[INITIATOR_IQN])
+        self.assertFalse(self.array.set_host.called)
         self.assertEqual(result, real_result)
 
         mock_generate.reset_mock()
@@ -3250,6 +3251,25 @@ class PureISCSIDriverTestCase(PureBaseSharedDriverTestCase):
                                                host_user=chap_user,
                                                host_password=chap_password)
 
+        self.array.reset_mock()
+        self.mock_config.use_chap_auth = False
+        self.mock_config.safe_get.return_value = 'oracle-vm-server'
+
+        # Branch where we fail due to invalid version for setting personality
+        self.assertRaises(exception.PureDriverException, self.driver._connect,
+                          self.array, vol_name, ISCSI_CONNECTOR, None, None)
+        self.assertFalse(self.array.create_host.called)
+        self.assertFalse(self.array.set_host.called)
+
+        self.array.get_rest_version.return_value = '1.14'
+
+        # Branch where personality is set
+        self.driver._connect(self.array, vol_name, ISCSI_CONNECTOR,
+                             None, None)
+        self.assertDictEqual(result, real_result)
+        self.array.set_host.assert_called_with(PURE_HOST_NAME,
+                                               personality='oracle-vm-server')
+
     @mock.patch(ISCSI_DRIVER_OBJ + "._get_host", autospec=True)
     def test_connect_already_connected(self, mock_host):
         vol, vol_name = self.new_fake_vol()
diff --git a/cinder/volume/drivers/pure.py b/cinder/volume/drivers/pure.py
index 1fec72235a1..23cb8483c53 100644
--- a/cinder/volume/drivers/pure.py
+++ b/cinder/volume/drivers/pure.py
@@ -60,6 +60,11 @@ PURE_OPTS = [
                      "on the current total data reduction values. If used "
                      "this calculated value will override the "
                      "max_over_subscription_ratio config option."),
+    cfg.StrOpt("pure_host_personality",
+               choices=['aix', 'esxi', 'hitachi-vsp', 'hpux',
+                        'oracle-vm-server', 'solaris', 'vms'],
+               help="Determines how the Purity system tunes the protocol used "
+                    "between the array and the initiator."),
     # These are used as default settings.  In future these can be overridden
     # by settings in volume-type.
     cfg.IntOpt("pure_replica_interval_default", default=3600,
@@ -123,6 +128,7 @@ ASYNC_REPLICATION_REQUIRED_API_VERSIONS = [
     '1.3', '1.4', '1.5'] + SYNC_REPLICATION_REQUIRED_API_VERSIONS
 MANAGE_SNAP_REQUIRED_API_VERSIONS = [
     '1.4', '1.5'] + SYNC_REPLICATION_REQUIRED_API_VERSIONS
+PERSONALITY_REQUIRED_API_VERSIONS = ['1.14']
 
 REPL_SETTINGS_PROPAGATE_RETRY_INTERVAL = 5  # 5 seconds
 REPL_SETTINGS_PROPAGATE_MAX_RETRIES = 36  # 36 * 5 = 180 seconds
@@ -2468,6 +2474,21 @@ class PureISCSIDriver(PureBaseVolumeDriver, san.SanISCSIDriver):
                         reason=_("Unable to re-use host with unknown CHAP "
                                  "credentials configured."))
         else:
+            personality = self.configuration.safe_get('pure_host_personality')
+            if personality:
+                api_version = array.get_rest_version()
+                if api_version not in PERSONALITY_REQUIRED_API_VERSIONS:
+                    # Continuing here would mean creating a host not according
+                    # to specificiations, possibly leading to unexpected
+                    # behavior later on.
+                    msg = _('Unable to set host personality with Purity REST '
+                            'API version %(api_version)s, requires '
+                            '%(required_versions)s.') % {
+                        'api_version': api_version,
+                        'required_versions': PERSONALITY_REQUIRED_API_VERSIONS
+                    }
+                    raise exception.PureDriverException(reason=msg)
+
             host_name = self._generate_purity_host_name(connector["host"])
             LOG.info("Creating host object %(host_name)r with IQN:"
                      " %(iqn)s.", {"host_name": host_name, "iqn": iqn})
@@ -2482,6 +2503,18 @@ class PureISCSIDriver(PureBaseVolumeDriver, san.SanISCSIDriver):
                     LOG.debug('Unable to create host: %s', err.text)
                     raise exception.PureRetryableException()
 
+            if personality:
+                try:
+                    array.set_host(host_name, personality=personality)
+                except purestorage.PureHTTPError as err:
+                    if (err.code == 400 and
+                            ERR_MSG_HOST_NOT_EXIST in err.text):
+                        # If the host disappeared out from under us that's
+                        # ok, we will just retry and snag a new host.
+                        LOG.debug('Unable to set host personality: %s',
+                                  err.text)
+                        raise exception.PureRetryableException()
+
             if self.configuration.use_chap_auth:
                 try:
                     array.set_host(host_name,
diff --git a/doc/source/configuration/block-storage/drivers/pure-storage-driver.rst b/doc/source/configuration/block-storage/drivers/pure-storage-driver.rst
index 9f7f4ac5322..c152e0ad057 100644
--- a/doc/source/configuration/block-storage/drivers/pure-storage-driver.rst
+++ b/doc/source/configuration/block-storage/drivers/pure-storage-driver.rst
@@ -176,6 +176,28 @@ By default, auto-eradication is disabled and all deleted volumes, snapshots,
 and consistency groups are retained on the Pure Storage array in a recoverable
 state for 24 hours from time of deletion.
 
+Setting host personality
+~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+
+The host personality determines how the Purity system tunes the protocol used
+between the array and the initiator. To ensure the array works optimally with
+the host, set the personality to the name of the host operating or virtual
+memory system. Valid values are aix, esxi, hitachi-vsp, hpux, oracle-vm-server,
+solaris, and vms. If your system is not listed as one of the valid host
+personalities, do not set the option. By default, the host personality is not
+set.
+
+To set the host personality, modify the following option in the ``cinder.conf``
+file:
+
+.. code-block:: ini
+
+   pure_host_personality = <personality>
+
+.. note::
+   ``pure_host_personality`` is available from Purity REST API version 1.14,
+   and affects only newly-created hosts.
+
 SSL certification
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
diff --git a/releasenotes/notes/pure-host-personality-3512f7ccd961d4ad.yaml b/releasenotes/notes/pure-host-personality-3512f7ccd961d4ad.yaml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..7bf7e5d1491
--- /dev/null
+++ b/releasenotes/notes/pure-host-personality-3512f7ccd961d4ad.yaml
@@ -0,0 +1,6 @@
+---
+features:
+  - |
+    Pure Storage FlashArray driver has added configuration option
+    ``pure_host_personality`` for setting the host personality upon host
+    creation (existing hosts are not affected).