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VMAX Performing a Profile

Team Live Optics
  • Updated

Overview

Live Optics supports the profiling of several hardware storage arrays.  One of these is the Dell EMC VMAX families.  Using the Live Optics collector, configuration and performance data is captured, analyzed and compiled into a Project for viewing.  This document outlines the process to produce a VMAX array storage profiles.

 

Pre-Requisites

  • Before the Live Optics array profile is executed, the array configuration and performance data needs to be gathered using the storage array management interfaces.  Performance data is stored on the array in .BTP (or .TTP) files.  Configuration data is stored in the SYMAPI.DB file.  Both the SYMAPI_DB.bin and TTP files are needed to perform the profile.  Collect these files and place them in a folder.  Please contact your local VMAX Support resource for directions on downloading the .BTP files.
  • The target directory for .BTP Files must not contain .BTP files from other arrays or .BTP files outside the analysis time period.  Extraneous files may generate incorrect results.

 

Quick-Start Directions

  • Launch Live Optics Collector (Windows .NET version)
  • Click Get Started
  • Click “Yes, I agree” to accept the End User License Agreement (prompted only on first execution)
  • Click “Yes, this is me” after verifying your identity is correct (prompted only on first execution)
  • Select Storage from the left menu
  • Select VMAX
  • Click Select Folder, browse to folder with .BTP files, click OK
  • Click Next
  • Click Browse for File, browse and select the SYMAPI_DB.bin file, click Open
  • Click Next
  • Select the Upload Option, either upload automatically (recommended) or upload later
  • Click Next
  • If upload automatically was selected, enter the project name to be created, click Next
  • After the files are processed and optionally uploaded, click Quit to exit the application

Detailed Instructions

Download and run the Live Optics Windows collector software

  • There are two methods to download the collector software:
    • From the email you received from your systems consultant inviting you to Live Optics by clicking the Download Collector link.
    • From the Live Optics portal, select Collectors from the left menu, then Download Collector. For more information on how to download a Live Optics collector, please see knowledge base article Download the Live Optics Collector Either option will bring you to the Download Collectors page. 

NOTE: the collector can run on any host with IP connectivity to the storage array being profiled

 

Select Files

  • Select Storage from the list of Categories and select VMAX from the list of storage asset type.
  • Verify the directory containing the telemetry files (.BTP files) and the directory containing the SYMAPI.DB file.
  • Enter the directory containing the telemetry files (.BTP). Note that this directory must not contain telemetry files from other arrays nor may it contain telemetry files other than the time period under analysis.

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  • Click next after you have identified the directory containing the telemetry (.BTP) files.

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  • Select the SYMAPI_DB.bin file for the array under assessment. Click next.

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Select the method to upload to the Live Optics web site for processing

  • Selecting the default, “Upload my collection data to the Live Optics web portal automatically”, is the recommended method. This option will automatically upload the collected data to the Live Optics portal and start processing. Use this option when the host running the collector has Internet access. Once selected, click Next.

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  • Enter the name of the project for your array profile. Click Next.

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  • The files are processed and uploaded to the web portal. During the upload, a status bar indicates the progress.  As storage array data can be quite large, the upload may take some time to complete depending on the speed of your Internet connection.
  • The collector will indicate when the upload has completed. Click Quit to close the collector
  • You will receive an email from Live Optics when your project is ready for viewing on the web portal.
  • Selecting “I will upload later…” will process and save your array data to an encrypted file with the name [hostname]_VMAX.siokit. The file is written to the same folder from where the collector was executed. Use this option when the host running the collector does not have Internet access.
  • After the collection process completes, the file will need to be uploaded to the web portal for processing using the collector.

Uploading the SIOKIT (applies only if the “upload later” was selected)

View Project Results

  • Log in to the Live Optics web portal https://www.liveoptics.com
  • Your recent projects are listed on your dashboard. Select your project.
  • The project details page appears. From here you can download the report in PowerPoint format (PPT), download an Excel file (XLXS) containing all the array details, share your project with other Live Optics users such as your systems consultant, or delete your project.  The page also shows the Project ID and the current status of your project.