Symmetrix Management Console(SMC) - Licensing

I don't know about the cost (our DMX-4 came with the license) but you install the license using the symlmf command just as you would for a SE license. It will then be listed along with the other installed licenses.

Your local CE or account rep should help in determining the costs or how to acquire the license.

And if you are not sure what licenses you have installed you can check out the licenses file at:

* UNIX: var/symapi/config/symapi_license.dat
* Windows: program files\emc\symapi\config\symapi_license.dat


See emc102767 and emc149678 for more details.

I can tell you that SMC is MUCH faster than using ECC (at least ECC v5.2sp5). We just recently started using SMC for some things that we had been doing through the CLI for performance reasons. SMC is almost as fast as the CLI and easier to use

Let me guess (well, I don't actually have to guess cause we've both been around here for a while)... your one of those Unix guys right?

Not that I mind the CLI, but it is easier to make a mistake in the CLI than the GUI. Not that you can't screw things up royally from either interface if you aren't paying attention...

dump the GUI man ...cli is where it is

Thanks AranH... know how this license stuff works and where I can check what licenses are installed.
But I'm still wondering if this license is free of charge? I was told that I can download SMC from PowerLink and that's it... and moreover I am able to download the software allthough I did not register anything around SMC.

Are you using ECC as well? What would you say about the differences in managing symmetrix boxes with SMC versus ECC?

Thanks,
Stefan

I hate clicking a Symm Config throught the ECC GUI... always use symconfigure for changes. But still think ECC gives you a good hint about the config and the relationships.
And I'm one of the UNIX freaks - yeah!

Sorry for the needless info

Yes I have both ECC and SMC (and use the cli too dynamox! ) and actually prefer SMC for symm management tasks over ECC. It is quicker and simpler to use and I think that the properties of objects are easier to view with SMC. I think using the cli is quicker when it comes to creating a bunch of metas or mapping devices to ports, but SMC is definitely an easy to use gui for managing a sym.

You can download a lot of software from Powerlink that you need to purchase a license for and may not necessarily have registered. I was told by a sales rep that the SMC license does have a cost associated with it, but they will include it for free if you purchase the symm management module for ECC. So since you already have that module you may be able to get a deal on the SMC license.

One of the nice things about SMC is that you don't need to install a console to access it. Just point a java-enabled browser to the IP address and SMC port of the server with SMC on it from any workstation on your network.

actually i was a window admin before i got into SAN world, but when i joined the SAN team ..my SAN yoda was a Unix admin of 15 years, so everything he taught me was by doing cli. Besides my company was cheap and did not want to invest into ECC. I don't think i can ever go work at a shop where you are not allowed to use CLI

well that sounds reasonable... thanks a lot AranH!
Will bother our Sales Team on Monday... and install it on Tuesday... ;-))

Saw SMC is now available for Linux and Solaris as well... who wants to use GUI on those platforms??? Just kidding

The Force is in Good Hands .. You are on the Right Side!