IBM z/VM: How to find the Symmetrix serial number and other information from a zVM system

Summary: The SYMMQRY for z/VM utility provides the Symmetrix serial number from any z/VM disk, minidisk, or volume. The SYMMDEV#, Count Key Data (CKD) device information, and Enginuity level is also obtained from the SYMMQRY. ...

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Instructions

Use the SYMMQRY for z/VM Utility to display information about Symmetrix CKD devices.

SYMMQRY is supplied as a Conversational Monitor System(CMS) executable module and requires privilege class "B." SYMMQRY is intended for use by the system programmer and storage subsystem administrator who are involved in managing or operating the Symmetrix subsystem.         

The SYMMQRY utility is a Dell created module that is attached to this KB article and can be uploaded to z/VM.

SYMMQRY displays Symmetrix CKD device information. The output display shows the following information about the device in question.    

Information                    Heading/Label
      Virtual Address                 DASD                                     
      Real Address                    RDEV                                     
      Symmetrix Device Number         SYMMDEV                                  
      Capacity                        CAP(CYL/MB)
      Enginuity Release               UCODE                                    
      Symmetrix Serial Number         SYMM_SER/ALPHA       

                                                                     
A virtual device address must be specified as a parameter (1-4 digits). The virtual device can be attached (dedicated) or be a minidisk available to the virtual machine running SYMMQRY.                                        

symmqry f8c0                                                                   
DASD RDEV SYMMDEV     :CAP(CYL/MB)    UCODE  SYMM-SER/ALPHA                    
F8C0 F8C0   03C0      1113/    946    5978 0001926-00262/AAATW                 
Ready; T=0.01/0.01 10:07:59
 
Notes:
  • The capacity calculation is based on MB = 1,000,000 and reflects real device size.
  • The Enginuity Release displayed is the four-digit "family" number. 

                                                                               
Operational Considerations:

  • Non-EMC Direct-access storage device(DASD) is treated as an exception and returns no information with RC=4.
  • I/O operations include retries to mitigate pending reset notifications.
  • Sense data is presented for EXCEPTION conditions.      

Distribution:                                                         

  • The SYMMQRY for z/VM utility is attached to this article. The package is in VMARC format.              
  • VMARC itself can be found at http://www.vm.ibm.com/download.This hyperlink is taking you to a website outside of Dell Technologies.

Installation:

  1. Transfer the attached SYMMQRY VMARC file to a z/VM USER id. During the file transfer to z/VM, ensure that the VMARC file gets created on z/VM using LRECL 1024.
  2. Once the file transfer is complete to a z/VM USER id, issue this Conversational Monitor System (CMS) command. 
    VMARC UNPACK SYMMQRY VMARC file_mode. 

The VMARC archive includes these files:

SYMMQRY MODULE  (executable)              3-27-2024  10:08         
SYMMQRY MEMO    (information on SYMMQRY)  3-27-2024  14:05 

Additional Information

SYMMQRY Support:
  • This utility is intended for operation on z/VM levels v5.4 - v7.2 and above.
  • Operation on other levels has not been verified. SYMMQRY utility is provided on an as-is basis as freeware with no warranty or implied statement of ongoing support. While SYMMQRY is distributed with no claim of ongoing support or future enhancement, reports of issues or enhancement requests can be made by opening a new service request.   
  • Copyright (C) 2010-2024 Dell or its subsidiaries, all rights reserved

Affected Products

Operating Systems, Symmetrix
Article Properties
Article Number: 000010112
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 17 Apr 2026
Version:  10
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