Welcome to Unisphere for VMAX Implementation and Management. · 7/8/2016 · Unisphere for VMAX uses Symmetrix-based eLicensing. As a result, you can only manage a Symmetrix VMAX

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Revision Date: August, 2013. Revision Number: MR-1WP-UNIVMAX. 5876.129.144

1 Unisphere for VMAX Implementation and Management


Unisphere for VMAX (UNIVMAX) is a simple, intuitive, browser-based user interface for the configuration, management and performance monitoring of the Symmetrix VMAX family of arrays.

This course covers UNIVMAX functionality, architecture, installation and configuration. You will learn how to use the various views and to perform administration tasks.

A key part of the course includes recorded examples that will demonstrate how to configure, administer and use Unisphere for VMAX. These demonstrations support and supplement the details described in the presentation.



There are various demonstrations provided in this course. These demonstrations show you how to use Unisphere for VMAX (UNIVMAX) for performing a number of tasks. The links to the demonstrations are provided in the respective modules.



This module focuses on Unisphere for VMAX functionality and architecture.

Unisphere for VMAX Implementation and Management 3


EMC Unisphere for VMAX is the management console for the Symmetrix VMAX family of arrays. EMC Unisphere for VMAX v1.0 was introduced in May, 2012. EMC Unisphere for VMAX v1.6 is the latest version released in May, 2013. Unisphere for VMAX offers big-button navigation and streamlined operations to simplify and reduce the time required to manage a data center.

Unisphere for VMAX replaces Symmetrix Management Console (SMC) and Symmetrix Performance Analyzer (SPA). Unisphere for VMAX v1.6 supports almost all the Enginuity 5876 functionality and limited legacy Symmetrix functionality. Full legacy functionality is supported with SMC 7.3.3. Unisphere for VMAX uses the same framework as the VNX family, and it provides users with the same EMC standard look and feel. Unisphere for VMAX is contextual and simple to navigate. With Unisphere for VMAX v1.6, users can easily and rapidly provision, manage and monitor Symmetrix DMX and Symmetrix VMAX family of arrays.



You can use Unisphere for VMAX for a variety of tasks, including, managing eLicenses, user accounts and roles, and for performing array configuration and volume management operations, such as Virtual Provisioning, where you can create volumes, mask volumes, set Symmetrix attributes, set volume attributes, set port flags, create volume pools, change volume configuration, set volume status, and create/delete meta volumes.

With Unisphere for VMAX, you can also manage Fully Automated Storage Tiering (FAST, FAST VP), configure alerts and alert thresholds and monitor alerts.

In addition, with the Performance Monitoring option, Unisphere for VMAX provides tools for performing analysis and historical trending of Symmetrix system performance data. With the performance option you can view high frequency metrics in real time, view Symmetrix system heat maps and view graphs detailing system performance. You can also drill-down through data to investigate issues, monitor performance over time, execute scheduled and ongoing reports (queries), and export that data to a file. Users can utilize a number of predefined dashboards for many of the system components, or customize their own dashboard view.

Unisphere for VMAX can also be used to manage TimeFinder, SRDF, Open Replicator and Federated Tiered Storage.



Unisphere for VMAX v1.6 supports all the Symmetrix VMAX family of arrays (VMAX 10K /VMAXe, VMAX 20K /VMAX and VMAX 40K) and introduces support for the legacy Symmetrix DMX arrays.

Unisphere for VMAX provides a simple, intuitive graphical user interface for array discovery, monitoring, configuration and control, and performance analysis. It provides a single pane glass for VMAX management with a new user interface that standardizes the EMC Common User Experience. A single eLicense entitlement is used for both management and performance monitoring operations, combining both tools into a single product. A big button design provides a common look and feel throughout all functions of the product. Common Tasks provide Configuration Wizards and dialogs to simplify configuration changes and updates.



Unisphere for VMAX has a Client-Server Architecture. Any Windows host that runs a supported browser with network connectivity to the Unisphere server can be used. The client console requires 600 megabytes of memory and Adobe Flash Player 11.2 or higher. The Unisphere client uses static ports, and hence, functions with most VPN solutions. The Unisphere client supports Internet Explorer version 7.0 through 10.0, Firefox version 10.0.7 and 15.0, and Chrome version 21.0.1180 running on Windows platforms.

The Unisphere for VMAX Server can be installed on 64-bit versions of Windows Server 2008 SP2 (Does not include Windows Core), Windows 2008 R2 SP1, Windows Server 2012, Linux Redhat AS/ES 5.8 through 6.2 or SuSE Linux 10 and 11. The server requires a minimum of one dual-core processor or two CPUs. Please refer to the latest Installation Guide and release notes for the latest supported platforms and caveats.

The Unisphere server is a SYMAPI application and can be deployed either in a Local or Remote configuration. We will discuss these options further, on the next slide. The Unisphere Server requires 8 GB of available memory, if installed with the Performance option. Without the Performance option, only 4 GB of available memory is required.

The stated limit for one Unisphere server is 10 Symmetrix arrays, with an average of 8,000 volumes each, for a total of 80,000 volumes. A configuration up to this limit will provide reasonable response time with reasonable resources. The Client console browser can be pointed to a different Unisphere Server in order to see different Symmetrix arrays.

Unisphere for VMAX is available as a Virtual Appliance for VMware environments. There are two versions of the virtual appliance, one with the Performance option and one without the Performance option. The Virtual Appliance is a VMware ESX server (v4.0 and higher) Linux OS (SUSE 11) virtual machine.

Note that this module does not cover the deployment of the Unisphere for VMAX Virtual Appliance. The detailed instructions on deploying the Unisphere for VMAX Virtual Appliance can be found in Chapter 3 of the Installation Guide, titled, “Deploying the Unisphere for VMAX Virtual Appliance”.



The Unisphere for VMAX Server can be deployed in a Local or Remote configuration. The Unisphere Server requires Solutions Enabler, the base Symmetrix management software. Unisphere for VMAX v1.6 requires Solutions Enabler v7.6.

In the local configuration, the Unisphere Server and Solutions Enabler are installed on the same host that has a direct connection to one or more Symmetrix VMAX arrays.

In the remote configuration, the Unisphere Server discovers the SYMAPI Server (storsrvd) over the network. The host on which Unisphere Server is installed does not need direct connectivity to a Symmetrix; instead, the Unisphere Server communicates over the IP Network with a host connected to a Symmetrix, and running the SYMAPI Server (storsrvd). In a remote configuration, the SYMAPI Server can be an open systems host or a z/OS host.

Unisphere for VMAX uses Symmetrix-based eLicensing. As a result, you can only manage a Symmetrix VMAX Family system from a Unisphere host if the Symmetrix system contains a Unisphere for VMAX (SMC) eLicense. However, you can use Unisphere for VMAX to obtain and install the proper eLicense on the Symmetrix system.

Note: Symmetrix systems running Enginuity 5875.198.148 or lower do not require a license key.

Solutions Enabler utilizes a wide variety of daemon processes to handle different client requests. Most of these daemons start only when needed. Unisphere leverages the various Solutions Enabler daemons. The Base API daemon (storapid) monitors Symmetrix gatekeeper access, helping to reduce contention between daemons and other client applications. The SYMAPI Server daemon (storsrvd) provides SYMAPI services to remote clients, like the Unisphere Server, in a remote configuration. The Event daemon (storevntd) monitors Symmetrix events and asynchronously sends alerts to registered clients, like the Unisphere Server. This eliminates the need for the Unisphere Server to poll for updates, while ensuring that notifications are made in near-real time.



This module covered Unisphere for VMAX functionality and architecture.



This module covers available documentation, and installing and configuring Unisphere for VMAX.



All Unisphere for VMAX and Solutions Enabler documentation can be downloaded from the EMC Online Support Website (https://support.EMC.com).

Chapter 1 of the Unisphere for VMAX Installation Guide gives detailed information on pre-install considerations, including environment and system requirements. Chapter 2 gives step by step instructions to install the product.

The Release Notes distributed along with the software include information about new and changed features, environment and system requirements, known problems and limitations, installation, troubleshooting, and non-EMC software attribution. You can view the Online Help by opening the Help window, where you can browse content or search for information. The Unisphere for VMAX Product Guide is a PDF version of the Online Help.

Solutions Enabler Functionality is covered in various EMC Solutions Enabler Product Guides.



The Unisphere for VMAX installation process checks to see if a supported version of Solutions Enabler (Unisphere for VMAX v1.6 requires 64-bit Solutions Enabler v7.6) is installed on the server host, and if the server meets the memory and disk space requirements. The Unisphere Server requires 8 GB of available memory, if installed with the Performance option. Without the Performance option, only 4 GB of available memory is required.

Before installing Unisphere on a local Linux 64-bit host, you must:

1. Set the event and statistics daemons to autostart, and

2. Start the event and statistics daemons.

Before starting a new Unisphere with the Performance option installation on Linux, the mysql user and mysql group must be present. In addition, the mysql user must be using the password mysql, and be a member of the mysql group.

Please refer to the Unisphere for VMAX Installation Guide for detailed instructions on setting up the event and statistics daemons, and setting up the mysql user and group.

EMC Unisphere for VMAX is distributed as a platform-specific kit downloadable from the EMC Online Support Website.



While installing Unisphere for VMAX, you will be prompted to specify an Initial Setup User (ISU). You can either specify the user ID you currently use to access the Symmetrix system (if User Authorization is enabled), or you can use the default user ID smc. If you plan on using the default ID, there must be no user IDs listed in the User Authorization database. If there are user IDs in the database (regardless of whether user authorization is enabled), then you must use SYMCLI to add the default user ID (smc) to the database.

The initial setup user's role is to install and set up the Unisphere environment (create users and add roles). It is intended to be a temporary role, as it will only allow you to access and perform administrative tasks on Symmetrix systems that do not have defined user roles (authorization rules). Once an Administrator or SecurityAdmin is assigned to a Symmetrix system, the initial setup user will no longer be able to access, or even see the system from the Unisphere console. Therefore, it is recommended that users not operate in this role for too long.

If you want to create a username for the ISU that is different from the default of “smc,” then the only restriction is that the chosen name must be a valid login to the Unisphere Server host. This is for the purpose of authentication from the Unisphere Server host OS. If you simply accept the default name of “smc,” you should remember that the EMC best practice is to change the default password of “smc” to prevent unauthorized access.



This is a brief summary of the Unisphere for VMAX installation process. More details are available in Chapter 2 of the Installation Guide. The installation can be done with the Installation Wizard or with the Command line. The Installation Guide provides detailed steps for Windows and Linux.

There are a number of user selectable values during installation. It should be noted that all pathnames used in this training assume that the default directory paths were chosen at installation. However, there are options to specify non-default paths. The Initial Setup User identifies the initial user with the privileges for creating additional user accounts and setting permissions. The default Initial Setup User name is lowercase “smc” with password lowercase “smc”. To ensure security, this default password should always be changed after the installation. To specify any other Initial Setup User name, the name must be an authorized user of the Unisphere server host, as there is no mechanism to specify the password. Connection type is another value which defaults to local, but can be set as remote if the Unisphere Server is communicating with a remote SYMAPI server running on a different host. The last modifiable value is the port assignments for the Unisphere server and the Performance database (if the Performance option is chosen). The default HTTPS port for Unisphere is 8443, and the default port of the Performance database is 3324. To change these values after the product has been installed, you may need to uninstall and reinstall the application.

Note that this module does not cover the deployment of the Unisphere for VMAX Virtual Appliance. The detailed instructions on deploying the Unisphere for VMAX Virtual Appliance can be found in Chapter 3 of the Installation Guide, titled, “Deploying the Unisphere for VMAX Virtual Appliance”.



This slide displays the four steps that require user input while installing Unisphere for VMAX on a Windows host.

Choose Install Folder is the default install location that has been chosen in this case. The default folder can be changed if desired.

Under Choose Install Set, in this example, we have chosen to install Unisphere for VMAX with Performance Analyzer.

For the initial Symapi Connection Type, the default Initial Setup User name of “smc” has been used. A different Initial Setup User name could be specified. This user should have a valid login to the Unisphere Server host. The default connection type for Unisphere is local. In this case, we have chosen the local option. If the remote option were to be used, the Node name and Net port of the remote SYMAPI server have to be specified. This would be the host that is attached to the Symmetrix Arrays, and should be running SYMAPI server.

Under Ports Configuration, Unisphere only uses the secure HTTPS connection. In this example, we have not changed the default port. The Performance DB port has also been enabled because the install set included the performance option. The default port of 3324 has not been changed.



The installer will check for adequate disk space and available memory. This slide shows examples of Disk Space and Memory warnings.

Note that the installation may succeed, but the application may not function properly if one chooses to ignore these warnings.



The installation process automatically starts the EMC Symmetrix Management Application Server (SMAS) Service and the EMC_smasdb service. Note that the EMC_smasdb service is only implemented when Unisphere is installed with the Performance option.

These services can be started or stopped like any other Windows Service. Please note that the order in which the services are started and stopped is important.

If stopping manually, always stop the SMAS service before stopping the Performance DB.

If starting manually, always start the Performance DB before starting the SMAS service.



This slide shows the steps required to start and stop the Performance database and the SMAS daemon in Linux hosts. The order in which these are started and stopped is important. Always start the Performance DB before starting the SMAS daemon. Always stop the SMAS daemon before stopping the Performance DB.

To start or stop these processes, change the directory to the location shown on the slide and then execute the commands shown on the slide.



This slide illustrates the default directory structure for the Unisphere for VMAX installation on a Windows host. The install folder is called SMAS. It is necessary to know this pathname information only for troubleshooting. As with troubleshooting any SYMAPI application, look at the Symmetrix Audit Log, as well as the symapi and symapi daemon logs. For Unisphere-specific information, the files listed on the slide provide some additional information. EMC Customer service will give you specific instructions as to which files need to be collected for troubleshooting purposes.

To change the SYMAPI connection type (local/remote), you must uninstall Unisphere and reinstall. To uninstall Unisphere on a Windows Server, use Add/Remove Programs, the Command line or the uninstaller. In a Linux environment, use the Command line option to uninstall Unisphere. Please refer to Chapter 2 of the Installation Guide for detailed instructions on uninstallation.



Exclude the data and temp directories from virus scans for Unisphere with the Performance option. MySQL advises excluding the data directory and all its subdirectories (SMAS\jboss\server\default-em\data\msq\data), as well as the temp directory (SMAS\jboss\server\default-em\data\msq\temp) from any virus scan.

Not following this advice may lead to data corruption in the Performance database.



Unisphere for VMAX is a very simple product to install and operate. However, there are a few potential problems. Installation verifies key information, such as the presence of prerequisite software, minimal memory and disk space requirement. Installation is trusting on remote SYMAPI server port assignments and Initial Setup User Name. The User verification screen on install is the place to catch this error. When the Unisphere for VMAX Client is invoked, the error message clearly points out the problems. For example, the message for the SYMAPI server not detected, cannot tell if the host or port assignment is wrong, or if SYMAPI server has simply not been started. The message should be sufficient to lead the user to make the appropriate checks to ensure that it is up and running on the correct host and port. Using Unisphere for VMAX with firewalls requires correct port settings. eLicense entitlements should be verified if problems are encountered on installation, or in trying to run licensed features.

The SMAS log files were listed earlier in the course. The SYMAPI log files are also required for troubleshooting. Rather than listing all the specific files that may potentially be of use in troubleshooting, EMC Customer Service personnel may instruct you to use the EMC Grab utility to gather the required files to send to EMC for analysis. The alternative method of copying the whole SMAS directory is simpler, and sure to get all the needed files. Note the inclusion of the SYMAPI folder for troubleshooting purposes as well.

The Release Notes have a section titled “Known Problems and Limitations” and a section titled “Technical Notes”. Please refer to these sections for known issues.



While one can upgrade to Unisphere for VMAX from existing implementations of Symmetrix Management Console and Symmetrix Performance Analyzer, there are some considerations to keep in mind.

If your current SPA is prior to SPA V2.2.1, upgrade to SPA V2.2.1 first.

Before upgrading from SPA V2.2.1 or higher to Unisphere, you must back up the SPA database using the SPA DB Upgrade Backup utility for Unisphere. This utility is available on the EMC Online Support Website (https://support.EMC.com). For instructions on how to use the utility, refer to the accompanying README file. After the installation of Unisphere, use the Restore option.

The installation program will automatically detect if you have Symmetrix Management Console (with Symmetrix Performance Analyzer) installed on the host and upgrade them to Unisphere for VMAX (with the Performance option) according to current settings (ports, connection type, etc.).

Existing installations of Unisphere for VMAX v1.0 and higher can also be upgraded to Unisphere for VMAX 1.6.


https://support.emc.com/


Some of the settings from the SMC/SPA installation are maintained through the upgrade process. A list is shown on the slide.

Please refer to the EMC Unisphere for VMAX Installation Guide and Release Notes, as well as the SPA_DB_Backup_Utility_Readme.txt file before performing an upgrade. Please follow the detailed directions in these documents to perform the upgrade.



This module covered available documentation, and installing and configuring Unisphere for VMAX.



This module focuses on launching and navigating the UNIVMAX interface.



You can launch the UNIVMAX GUI by opening a supported Web browser and using the URL shown on the slide (https://<UNIVMAX Server>:8443). If a non default port was specified during installation, the port specified during the installation should be used in the URL. Once the login screen is displayed and a correct Initial Setup User name and Password are entered, the UNIVMAX console is displayed, as shown on the right of the slide.

The first screen after the login is the Home section for all the Symmetrix arrays that the UNIVMAX server manages.

The Home section shows some high level properties of the Symmetrix arrays being managed by the UNIVMAX Server. The Home section also has a Common Tasks section with links to commonly performed tasks, including a link for “Administration”.



The main components of the UNIVMAX interface are highlighted on the screen.

The title bar buttons are used to refresh the information, set preferences, export data, logout and to invoke the online help.

The System Selector is used to toggle the interface between two modes, All Symmetrix and individual Symmetrix systems. We will discuss this further in the next slide.

The UNIVMAX interface has seven major areas. Clicking on a section button will take you to the big button page of a particular section. We will explore each section later in this module. Each section typically will have several big buttons in the main panel and a Common Tasks panel on the right.

The status bar shows the total number of alerts, the name of the UNIVMAX user and role, and when the information was last updated.



The System selector, located at the far left of the navigation bar, displays a list of all managed Symmetrix systems. It allows you to toggle the interface between two modes, All Symmetrix and individual Symmetrix systems. Selections you make in the list provide the context for subsequent operations.

To pick an individual Symmetrix, click on the System selector button and then click on the desired Symmetrix.

If All Symmetrix is selected, then only the Home, Performance and Support sections are shown. If an individual Symmetrix is chosen then all the available sections are shown (Home, System, Storage, Hosts, Data Protection, Performance and Support). Note that the Performance section will only be available if the Performance option is installed.

The current location is shown as hyperlinks, just below the System selector and section buttons. You can use the hyperlinks to navigate back to a previous screen.



Clicking help in the title bar opens the entire help system.

Clicking help in a dialog box, wizard page, or view opens a help topic specifically for that dialog, page or view.

One can also invoke the online help by clicking on the Support section button, and then clicking on the Help big button on the Support page.



Clicking help in a dialog box, wizard page, or view opens a help topic specifically for that dialog, page or view.

The slide shows an example of the help available for a specific topic.



Clicking on the Administration common task in the Home section shows all the Administration big buttons to setup Alert Settings, Security, Preferences and Link and Launch client registrations. We will explore some of these tasks in Module 4.



Clicking on the System section button of a specific Symmetrix will bring up the System Dashboard for the specific array. Using the System selector from the All Symmetrix > Home page to pick a specific Symmetrix will also bring up the System > Dashboard for the specific array.

The System Dashboard provides a single place from which to monitor a Symmetrix system, including capacity, hardware, and alert information. One can also navigate to the Health and Maintenance page for the array. The System Dashboard has links for the common tasks to:

• View and manage the Audit log (Audit Log link);

• View and manage alerts (Alerts link);

• View and manage jobs (Job List link); and

• Manage system settings (Settings link).



Click on the Settings link in the System Dashboard to show the System Settings big buttons.

The System Settings big buttons can be used to:

• View and manage Symmetrix Attributes, including auto meta, PAV, SRDF and DCP settings;

• View and manage Electronic Licenses; and

• View and manage Symmetrix Access Controls.



Click on the Storage section button to show the Storage section big buttons and common tasks.

The Storage section can be used to view and manage:

• Storage groups;

• FAST;

• Storage tiers;

• Thin pools;

• Storage volumes;

• Storage templates;

• External storage (Federated Tiered Storage);

• Disk groups;

• Symmetrix Optimizer; and

• Device Reservations.



Click on the Hosts section button to show the Hosts section big buttons and common tasks.

The Hosts section can be used to view and manage:

• Initiators;

• Masking views;

• Initiator groups;

• Port groups;

• XtremSW Cache adapters;

• Virtual Servers; and

• CU Images.



Click on the Performance section button to show the Performance section big buttons.

The Performance section can be used to do a number of performance related tasks.



This demonstration covers logging into Unisphere for VMAX, navigation of the interface and usage of the Online Help.

Click the Launch button to view this demonstration.

When the demonstration is complete, return to the course and advance to the next slide.



This module covered launching and navigating the UNIVMAX interface.



This module focuses on performing UNIVMAX administration tasks.



Use the System selector to choose All Symmetrix, and then click on the Administration common task to navigate to the Administration page shown on the slide.

We will explore Security and Alert Settings in the next few slides.



Each of the features listed here help to ensure security.

Unisphere for VMAX supports the following types of authentication:

1. Local Unisphere users: Users login with their Unisphere username and password (if they have a local Unisphere user account).

2. Windows (local and domain based): Users login with Windows domain\username and password (if they have a Windows account on the Unisphere server).

3. LDAP: Users login with their LDAP-SSL username and password (if they have a user account stored on a LDAP-SSL server).

Unisphere for VMAX restricts access by ensuring that only the Administrators can specify how much access other users should have. By default, new users will have no permissions until they are granted some by an Administrator. The ability to perform actions within Unisphere is therefore restricted to the assigned role for any and all users. Any function in the console not allowed by the user’s role is grayed out.



To configure/view authentication methods, click the Authentication big button from the Home > Administration >Security page. In order to configure this, the user must be the Initial Setup User, Admin, or SecurityAdmin. The Local Directory and Windows OS/AD authentication methods are enabled by default. To make changes to the Authentication method, click on the Edit button in the Security > Authentication page. To enable LDAP-SSL, check the LDAP-SSL box on Page 1 of the Configure Authentication Wizard, then Click Next. On Page 2, specify the LDAP-SSL server credentials. Please read the Online Help for additional information on configuring LDAP authentication.



Roles must be explicitly defined for all users or groups, as the default permission is set as “None”. These roles apply only to Unisphere for VMAX; limiting roles in Unisphere does not block a user from using the CLI commands for operations not permitted with Unisphere. There are six different levels of roles, from “None” to “Admin,” with permission to do nearly all Unisphere actions.

A Monitor has very limited privileges, and can only view all information about the Symmetrix, without making any configuration changes.

A PerfMonitor includes Monitor role permissions and grants additional privileges within the performance component of Unisphere for VMAX application to setup various alerts and update thresholds to monitor Symmetrix performance.

The StorageAdmin performs all management (active or control) operations on a Symmetrix system.

The SecurityAdmin performs security operations on a Symmetrix system, like creating user accounts and managing roles, in addition to all Monitor operations.

The Auditor has all the viewing abilities of a Monitor, and in addition, can also see the security settings.

The Admin user performs all operations on a Symmetrix system, including security operations, in addition to all StorageAdmin and Monitor operations.

The Initial Setup User (ISU) can perform administrative tasks only on Symmetrix systems that do not have defined roles (authorization rules). Once an Administrator or SecurityAdmin is assigned to a Symmetrix system, the ISU will no longer be able to access, or even see, the system from the Unisphere console. Note that once you log in as the ISU with default name and password “smc,” remember to change the default password to avoid a serious security breach.



To configure/view Users, click the Local Users big button from the Home > Administration >Security page. In order to configure this, the user must be the Initial Setup User, Admin or SecurityAdmin.

The Local Users page will show the current users and roles that have been setup. In this example, we see the initial setup user “smc”. In this example, the user smc has been given the Admin role explicitly.

To create new users and assign roles, click on the Create button.



To create users and assign roles, click the Create button in the Home > Administrators > Local Users page to launch the Create Local Directory User Wizard, shown on this slide. This wizard can be used to create Local Directory users managed by Unisphere and assign roles to these users by Symmetrix.

On the slide, the creation of a Local Directory user is shown. In this example, we are creating a new user “Cathy”. Type the name in the Name field, then choose a description and password. For Local Directory users, a password has to be specified. Use the dropdown for each Symmetrix to assign a role. In this example, we have assigned the role of Admin to the local user, Cathy.

Once the local user has been created, the user will appear on the Local Users and Authorization Rules pages.



This demo covers Security Management with Unisphere for VMAX.





Customer replaceable failed drives are now supported through Unisphere for VMAX. Under the Health and Maintenance section, click on the Spare Drive Replacement big button, and you will be taken through the process step by step.

Note: The Disk Service State must be set to Customer Replaceable for this option to appear in the GUI. This is set by EMC customer service personnel on the Symmetrix Service Processor.



After starting the job, you will have 30 minutes to complete the physical swap of the drive unit. Print the instructions, and follow the directions. There is also a diagram showing the location of the drive within the cabinet.

In addition to the instructions and diagram, to assist in finding the failed drive, we light up the LEDs on the VMAX and the individual disk drive to ensure you find the correct one.



To configure Alert Settings, click the Alert Settings big button from the Home > Administration page.

The Alert Settings page allows you to view and manage:

• Alert Policies;

• Alert Thresholds;

• Performance Thresholds and Alerts; and

• Notifications



To configure Alert Policies, click the Alert Policies big button from the Home > Administration > Alert Settings page.

The Alert Policies page allows you to configure Symmetrix alerts. Most of the alerts are disabled by default. All alerts need to be explicitly enabled through this dialog if they are to be used.

In the Alerts Policies page, highlight the alert categories that you wish to enable, then click on the Enable button. In the example shown, some of the alerts have been enabled for Symmetrix 020. Only enabled alerts can be displayed in the System Alerts view.

Optionally, you can configure Unisphere to send out notifications when an alert triggers. In order to do this, click the Notify button. Then, select one or more of the notification types (e-mail, SNMP or syslog).



To configure Alert Thresholds, click the Alert Thresholds big button from the Home > Administration > Alert Settings page.

The Alert Thresholds page can be used to enable monitoring and setting threshold limits on the percentage of utilization of TimeFinder/Snap, SRDF/A Delta Set Extension (DSE), Virtual Provisioning Thin Pools and FAST VP Policies. When enabling threshold alerts, you can specify a threshold value (percentage of utilization) for each of the severity levels, Warning, Critical, and Fatal. For example, if you set warning to 50 for a particular pool, Unisphere will issue a warning alert when that device pool is at 50% utilization.

The Alert Thresholds page can also be used to configure Unisphere to alert you when an SRDF/A session has been off loading (spilling) cycle data to a DSE pool for a certain length of time. The settings are in minutes.

Please note that the default threshold policies cannot be modified. To setup customized thresholds, click on the Create button. In the Create Thresholds Policies dialog, pick the Symmetrix system from the dropdown menu, then pick the category from the dropdown menu. The categories are DSE/Snap/Thin Pool Utilization and DSE Spill Duration. Then, highlight the pools to which the policy should apply, and choose the threshold levels, then the OK button to create a customized threshold. Notifications can be optionally setup.



To configure Performance Thresholds and Alerts, click the Performance Thresholds and Alerts big button from the Home > Administration > Alert Settings page. These settings can also be accessed via the Performance > Settings page.

Note that the Performance Thresholds and Alerts big button is only available with the Unisphere for VMAX Performance option.

The Performance Thresholds and Alerts page lists all the performance thresholds for all the performance metrics. Alerting is not enabled for any of the metrics by default. This page can be used to create new thresholds for various performance metrics, or to edit the default metrics and enable Alerting. The next slide shows an example of the creation of a new custom performance threshold.



Click on the Create button in the Performance Thresholds and Alerts page to create a new Performance Threshold and Alert.

In the Create Performance Threshold and Alert dialog box, Select the Symmetrix ID, Category, Instance and Metric. If there is a default value for the Metric, it automatically displays in the Value fields for First Threshold and Second Threshold. Add or change the value for the First Threshold, Second Threshold, or both.

Enable alert for the First Threshold, Second Threshold, or both, then select the severity for the alert. Possible values are Information, Warning, Error, and Critical. Set the number of occurrences in the data samples that must happen before the alert is triggered. For example, if the threshold is breached 3 times out of 5 samples, initiate an alert. Click OK.

In this example, threshold and alerting has been enabled for the Array %Hit metric for Symmetrix ID 103.



This demo covers the configuration of Alerts and Thresholds with Unisphere for VMAX.





Unisphere for VMAX supports Electronic Licensing (eLicensing) introduced with Enginuity 5875. With the introduction of eLicensing, Symmetrix licensing moved from a host-based model to a Symmetrix-based model, with the majority of licenses being stored internally on the Symmetrix system. However, there are still a number of Symmetrix licenses that remain host-based.

When installing licenses with eLicensing, you obtain license files from Powerlink, copy them to a Solutions Enabler or a Unisphere for VMAX host, and push them out to Symmetrix systems. Each license file fully defines all of the entitlements for a specific system, including its activation type (Individual or Enterprise), the licensed capacity, and the date the license was created. If you want to add a product title or increase the licensed capacity of an entitlement, you must obtain a new license file from Powerlink, and push it out to the Symmetrix system.

Unisphere for VMAX allows you to add and view Symmetrix-based licenses, and add, view, and remove host-based licenses.

Please refer to Chapter 3, “Licensing your Software,” in the EMC Solutions Enabler Installation Guide for more details on the specific features that require host-based or Symmetrix-based licenses. The Unisphere Online Help also provides details on License Management via Unisphere.



To manage Symmetrix licenses for a specific array, use the System Selector to choose the array. Then, click on the Electronic Licenses big button in the System section.

The Electronic Licenses page has three big buttons: Symmetrix Entitlements, to view the eLicensing entitlements and to load eLicense files to the array; License Usage, to view the license usage; and Solutions Enabler, used to manage host based license keys.



To manage Symmetrix-based licenses, click the Symmetrix Entitlements big button from the Electronic Licenses page. Please note that Symmetrix-based keys are only applicable for Symmetrix arrays with Enginuity 5875 or higher.

The Symmetrix Entitlements page will show any Symmetrix-based licenses that are already installed, as shown on this slide.

The Get File button will open the EMC Powerlink Website, from which you can get new license files (by downloading or through email). You should follow the instructions on the Website. Be sure to download or copy the license file to a location on the Unisphere server. To obtain Symmetrix-based licenses from Powerlink, you will need the License Authorization Code (LAC) identification number from the LAC letter emailed to you.

Once you have downloaded the license file to a location, click on the Load File button. Use the Browse button in Load License File dialog, and choose the License File in the browse window. Click OK to add the file. You can also click the Preview File button to preview the license file before applying.

After installing the license file, click View File to verify that the file was installed correctly.



To view license usage, click the License Usage big button from the Electronic Licenses page. The License Usage page shows information on the Feature, Activation Type, Capacity Type, Licensed Capacity and Used Capacity.



This demo covers Electronic License Management with Unisphere for VMAX.





To manage Performance Settings, click on the Settings big button in the Performance section. Performance Settings has six big buttons:

System Registrations, which is used to register arrays for performance data collection and set data collection policies;

Metrics to view and manage performance metrics;

Performance Thresholds and Alerts, which is identical to the Performance Thresholds and Alerts that was discussed earlier in this module;

Real Time Traces, use to view and manage real time data captures;

Reports, used to view and manage reports; and

Databases, to view and manage the backup and restore of the performance database.



In order to collect performance data, a Symmetrix array has to be registered for data collection. Click on the System Registrations big button in the Performance > Settings page to change the view to the System Registrations page. Highlight the array, then click on the Register button.

In the Register dialog, check the Real Time and Diagnostic boxes to collect real time and diagnostic data, then click OK.

The System Registrations view will show that the system is registered to collect data.



Highlight the array in the System Registrations view, then click on the View Details button to see the System Registration details.

This view can also be used to de-register or register the array for data collection. The Collection Recovery time and the Diagnostic Interval time can also be changed.

The Collection Recovery (Hours) is the amount of data that the storstpd daemon will save if the Performance server or the Performance database is not ready to accept new data points. The default is 24 hours.

The Diagnostic Interval (Minutes) is the frequency of polling in the Analyze Diagnostic view. The default, which is 5 minutes, is recommended.



All of the Symmetrix performance metrics are continuously collected and calculated. However, not all metrics are of equal importance to you. You can customize the list of metrics that display in the Performance dialogs and views.

Use the Metrics big button to manage the default thresholds for various metrics and to include them as Key Performance Indicators (KPI). Click on the Metrics big button in the Performance > Settings page to change the view to the Metrics page.

On the Metrics page, highlight a metric and click on the View Details button.

For Display Groups, select All for any metric that you do not want to see by default, but may want to see occasionally. Select KPI to display this metric by default. Selecting KPI automatically adds the metric to the All list. Clearing both KPI and All boxes means the metric will not display for that category in Explore, Dashboards, Queries, and any other place metrics display. All metrics always display in Metric Management.

In addition, the Metric Manager allows for changing the default threshold values. Threshold values are not required, but can be entered for any metric. Default thresholds are predefined values assigned to a metric of a specific category. Changes to the default thresholds only affect the instances that are using the defaults.

Note that many of the metrics are marked as KPI metrics, and many of the metrics have default thresholds.



The Performance Database is managed by using the Databases big button on the Performance > Settings page. Click on the Databases button to switch to the Databases view. The databases for all the arrays for which performance is being collected will be displayed.

Click on a specific array instance. You can backup or restore the database.

Click on the Backup button to backup the database. The backup can be run immediately, or it can be scheduled. A recurring schedule can be setup for the backup, as shown on the slide. The backup file is stored on the Unisphere server host (specifically, in the <install_location>\SMAS\backup\SPA folder).



Clicking on the View Details button for a specific database will show the details of this database. The database details page can be used to change the historical data retention and diagnostic data retention time. The backup file retention can also be set.



This demo covers System Registration for data collection, managing performance metrics and backing up the Performance database.





This module covered performing UNIVMAX administration tasks.



This course covered UNIVMAX functionality, architecture, installation and configuration. It also covered how to use the various views and perform administration tasks.

A key part of the course included recorded examples demonstrating how to configure, administer and use Unisphere for VMAX.

This concludes the training. Proceed to the course assessment on the next slide.


Documents

Welcome to Unisphere for VMAX Implementation and Management. · 7/8/2016 · Unisphere for VMAX uses Symmetrix-based eLicensing. As a result, you can only manage a Symmetrix VMAX