SRM: Enable the Dell EMC Solutions Enabler

The article provides information on enabling the Dell EMC Solutions Enabler  so EMC VMAX all Flash Family (HYPERMAX OS), EMC VNX and VNX2, EMC Clariion, EMC Symmetric VMAX, VMAXe arrays can be monitored by SRM.  It should be used in conjunction with the Add your storage array for monitoring with SRM topic in the Success Center documentation or online help. 

For more information, please consult the documentation supplied with your array (including the Installation and Configuration Guide) visit Dell Product Support or contact your vendor.

Warning: The SMI-S Provider is supported only in PowerMaxOS 5978 and earlier (including HYPERMAX OS 5977 and 5876). The following systems are supported:

• PowerMaxOS 5978 - PowerMax 2000, PowerMax 8000
• HYPERMAX OS 5977- VMAX100K, VMAX200K, VMAX400K, VMAX 250F, VMAX 450F, VMAX 850F, VMAX 950F
• HYPERMAX  OS 5876 - VMAX-1, VMAX10K, VMAX20K, VMAXe

Credentials required to add the array 

Ensure you have the following information:

• IP address or hostname for the array
• Provider username. The default is admin
• Provider password. The default is #1Password
• Protocol. The default is HTTPS.
• HTTP port. The default is 5988.
• HTTPS port. The default is 5989.
• Interop namespace. The default is: /interop.
• Array namespace. The default is: /root/emc.

Enable the application 

The Solutions Enabler Appliance contains an SMI-S provider, and is an alternative to installing Windows or Linux SMI-S provider software. 
 

Download software and documentation from EMC 

The Solutions Enabler Appliance, and documentation can be downloaded from the EMC website:

1. Log into the Dell Product Support, search for "solution enabler", and download the latest version.

Install the EMC Solutions Enabler Application 

Before you configure the Provider:

• The default ports for the Provider are 5988 for HTTP traffic and 5989 for HTTPS traffic. Make sure these ports are open. Before installing the Provider, make sure the default ports are not being used by running following command:

  netstat

  If another Cimom (eg: Solaris) or application (eg: IBM Director) is using that port, you must change the port the Provider uses. For information on changing the port see the FAQs below.

• Do not install your EMC Provider if ECC is installed or the Unisphere for VMAX is installed, if possible. The EMC provider shares the db files with these applications and can cause memory allocation errors in larger environments.

• Symmetrix arrays are discovered automatically by the provider. The host where the provider is installed must have at least one gatekeeper LUN presented to it from the array. For better performance, EMC recommends having at least six gatekeepers per array.

• Use the proper executable. 

• SolarWinds recommends that you also download the latest OVA and ISO files for your Solutions Enabler Appliance software.

This section provides separate installation steps for Windows and Linux. For complete installation instructions and options, see the Solutions Enabler Installation and Configuration Guide.

Installation - Windows 

1. Save all files and exit all Windows applications. Launch the self-extracting executable.
2. In the "Welcome to the Installation program for EMC Solutions Enabler" dialog box, click Next.
3. In the "Destination Folder" dialog box, select an installation directory and click Next.
4. In the "Setup Type" dialog, select Complete to install the full Solutions Enabler product set (including SMI-S ).  
5. You are prompted with the Service List. Accept the default settings, and then click Next. The Installation dialog box appears.
6. Click Install.
7. When the installation completes, click Finish.

Installation - Linux

1. Extract the TAR image to a temporary directory.
2. Change the directory to the location of the EMC SMI-S Provider kit and run the install script by using the following commands:

   cd /<location of extracted files or CD>/UNIX
   
   ./se<xxxx>_install.sh -install

   Where se<xxxx> is the solution enabler version (eg if 8.3 this is se8300).

3. The installation program begins copying the files. When complete, the installation program automatically starts the storapid daemon and the cimserver, which may take a few minutes.
4. When complete, the installation program returns the following confirmation message, which lists EMC Solutions Enabler with SMI-S Provider in the HAS BEEN INSTALLED list:

#--------------------------------------------------------------------
# The following HAS BEEN INSTALLED in /opt/emc via the rpm utility.
#--------------------------------------------------------------------

ITEM PRODUCT VERSION

01 EMC Solutions Enabler Vn.n.n

SMI KIT Vn.n.n

#--------------------------------------------------------------------

Log into your provider 

To log into the SMI-S provider, run the TestSmiProvider executable located at the <install_dir>\ECIM\ECOM\bin directory and accept the defaults for hosts, connection type, and port, for example:

Connection Type (ssl,no_ssl) [no_ssl]:

Host [localhost]:

Port [5988]:

Username [admin]:

Password [#1Password]:

Log output to console [y|n (default y)]:

Log output to file [y|n (default y)]:

Logfile path [Testsmiprovider.log]:

You are then connected to the SMI-S provider.

(localhost:5988) ?

Find the arrays discovered by the EMC provider 

Execute the following command to display the arrays discovered by the provider:
 

dv

Adding Symmetrix arrays

Symmetrix arrays are discovered automatically by the provider, so adding it to the provider using addsys command is not required. The host where the provider is installed must have at least one LUN presented to it from the array. For better performance, EMC recommends having at least six gatekeepers.

Adding in-band VNX/CLARiiON arrays 

An In-band or locally attached storage array is one in which at least one VNX/CLARiiON LUN is visible to the host on which the provider is running. The locally attached VNX/CLARiiONs are discovered automatically, but require authorization information for each VNX/CLARiiON storage processor already added.m

1. Confirm the array to be added is locally attached:

   • <install_dir>\SYMCLI\bin\syminq -cids

There should be at least one LUN mapped to this host from the array.

2. Check the OSLSProvider.conf setting has discover set to 'true':

   • OSLSProvider.conf is located in the <install_dir>\ECIM\ECOM\Providers folder.
     OslProv/com.emc.se.osls.osl.StorApi.database.discover=true

3. List the authorization info:

   • <install_dir>\SYMCLI\bin\symcfg list auth

4. If the list does not have entries for SPA and SPB of this array, stop the provider service(ECOM).
5. Add the authorization for SPA and SPB using the following:

   • <install_dir>\SYMCLI\bin\symcfg authorization add -host <host> - username <user> -password <pass> where <host> is the IP Address of the storage processor.

6. Start the provider service.

Adding out-of-band VNX/CLARiiON arrays 

Out-of-Band VNX/CLARiiON are arrays that do not have any LUNs presented to the host where the provider is running.

1. Log into the Provider by following the steps from Log into the Provider.
2. Run the following command: 

   addsys 

3. Type "y" at Add System prompt.
4. Choose the Array Type to be monitored (1 for Clariion, 2 for Symmetrix).

If choosing EMC Symmetrix, a LUN must be presented to the host where the EMC Provider is installed.

5. Type in the IP address of Storage Processor A and Storage Processor B if Clariion. Type the array id for Storage Processor A and Storage Processor B if Symmetrix.
6. Type the Address type from step 5 above for both Storage Processors (2 if IP Address, 3 if Array ID).
7. Type the Username and Password for a user with admin or manager privileges on the Array.

If the addition of the Array is successful, you will see OUTPUT: 0.

The output should look similar to the following:

++++ EMCAddSystem ++++

OUTPUT : 0

Legend:0=Success, 1=Not Supported, 2=Unknown, 3=Timeout, 4=Failed

5=Invalid Parameter

4096=Job Queued, 4097=Size Not Supported

System : //10.28.5.35/root/emc:Clar_StorageSystem.CreationClassName="Clar_StorageSystem",Name="CLARiiON+CK100060002000"
 

Make a note of the Identifier (CLARiiON+CK100060002000 in the sample output shown above), which is required for configuring the array in SRM.

Remove unwanted arrays from the EMC provider 

SolarWinds recommends having a dedicated provider for Symmetrix arrays with no more than two arrays provider.Version 4.6.x can have CLARiiON/VNX arrays discovered or added in the same provider. Also, Symmetrix arrays that are SRDF connected to the local arrays are auto-discovered as well.

Note: If ECC or Unisphere for VMAX runs on the same server, do not attempt this method.

To remove symmetrix arrays from the provider:

1. Create a file name named symavoid in the following directory:
   • Windows: c:\program files\emc\symapi\config
   • Linux: /var/symapi/config
2. In the file, add the Symmetrix ID of the array to be removed, one ID per line.
3. Save the file.
4. Shut down the EMC Provider.
5. Remove the symapi_db.bin from the following directory:
   • Windows: c:\program files\emc\symapi\db
   • Linux: /var/symapi/db
6. Start up the EMC Provider.
7. Check the arrays discovered by the EMC provider using the dv command and make sure removed arrays are not listed.

To remove auto-discovered CLARiiON/VNX from the provider:

1. Create a file named claravoid in the following directory:
   • Windows: c:\program files\emc\symapi\config
   • Linux: /var/symapi/config
2. Save the file.
3. Restart the EMC provider.

FAQs 

The following section details FAQs regarding troubleshooting issues.
Q: What is the minimum version of the provider supported?

A: 4.6.2 and 8.x.

Note: 8.x is only for VMAX series.

Q: How do I find the version of the provider?

A: To find the provider version, do the following:

<install_dir>\SYMCLI\bin\symcfg -version

   or:

Log in to <install_dir>\SYMCLI\storbin\testsmiprovider

Execute the dv command.

Q: I get the following DEP error from windows for the SMI-S provider, how do I fix it?

     To help protect your computer, Windows has closed this program.

    Name: cimserver

A: To enable DEP for the SMI-S provider:

1. Click Start > Run.
2. Type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK.
3. On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings.
4. On the Data Execution Prevention tab, use one of the following procedures:
   • Click "Turn on DEP for essential Windows programs and services only" to select the OptIn policy.
   • Click "Turn on DEP for all programs and services except those I select" to select the OptOut policy,  click Add, and select the programs you do not want to use DEP.
5. Click OK twice.

For more information on enabling and configuring DEP, see How to determine that hardware DEP is available and configured on your computer.

Q: The server where we planning to install has a version of Solutions Enabler installed. How do I determine which version of the provider to use?

A: Solutions Enabler is used by the provider as well as EMC management applications like ECC. It is better to install the provider on another server if possible. Otherwise, follow these steps to find out the correct version:

Check the version of the solutions enabler:

<install_dir>\SYMCLI\bin\symcfg -version

The output shows the version of the solutions enabler installed.

Check the solutions enabler version of the installer. It can be found from the name of the installer.

Example: se8300-WINDOWS-x64-SMI.exe is packed with Solutions Enabler version 8.3.0

Install only if the versions match. If the versions do not match, check to see if the solutions enabler can be upgraded to the required version without affecting ECC or other management applications currently installed.
 

Q: What files are needed before opening a trouble ticket with EMC?

A: Any issues related to the EMC provider, EMC requires the following information before they will investigate a problem:

• All log files from <install_dir>\symapi\log
• All log files from <install_dir>\ECIM\ECOM\log
• symapi_db.bin file, located at <install_dir>\symapi\db
• Output of the dv command from the TestSmiProvider utility
• Output of the tms command from the TestSmiProvider utility

Q: How do I change the provider port?

A: To change the port:

On the machine running the Provider:

1. Stop the ECOM Service.
2. Navigate to <Install_dir>\ ECIM\ECOM\conf.
3. Open the properties of the port_settings.xml file, uncheck Read-only, and click OK.
4. Open the file.
5. Change the port0 and port1 tag values to ports currently not in use. For example, from 5988 and 5989 to 15988 and 15989:

<ECOMSetting Name="Port0">
   <port>15988</port>
   <secure>false</secure>
   <slp>true</slp>
</ECOMSetting>

<ECOMSetting Name="Port1">
   <port>15989</port>
   <secure>true</secure>
   <slp>true</slp>
</ECOMSetting>

6. Save the port_settings.xml file.
7. Start the ECOM Service.

Q: How do I add a new user to the provider?

A: Log in to the provider GUI.

1. Go to https://<ipaddress>:5989/ecomconfig, and log in using the username LocalDir/admin and the password #1Password.
2. Click Add User, and then create a user with the role of Administrator. This newly created username can now be used to obtain access to the Array Provider.

"LocalDir/" is prepended to the username whenever a new user is created.

Example: The new user name is LocalDir/<the user name that you have given>

Q: How do I start/stop the provider from command prompt?

A: Windows:

• Stop: <install_dir>ECIM/ECOM/bin/sm_service stop ecom.exe
  Start: <install_dir> ECIM/ECOM/bin/sm_service start ecom.exe

   UNIX:

• Stop: Obtain the PID of the ECOM process and issue the kill command for that PID. Example: kill -SIGTERM [PID]
  Restart: <install_dir>ECIM/ECOM/bin/ECOM -d