SC Performing a Storage Collector Array Profile

Live Optics supports the profiling of Dell Technologies SC storage array platform (SC Series).   

Using the Live Optics collector, configuration and performance data is captured, analyzed and compiled into a Project. Currently, the output can be viewed from the Online Viewer only.

In order to collect statistics from an SC Series array, the user will have to connect Live Optics to their Data Storage Manager Data Collector.  For more info on the DSM Data Collector, please visit: https://support.liveoptics.com/hc/en-us/articles/1260800744330-Data-Storage-Manager-DSM-for-SC

This document outlines the collection process.

Detailed Instructions

Download the Live Optics Windows Collector Software

• From the Live Optics portal, Download Collectors can be selected from the left menu or from the radio button on the main screen

• To perform storage array profiles, download the Windows collector

NOTE: the Windows collector requires .NET 4.5 or greater to be installed on the host running the collector

• Click the Download button to start the download. A file named LiveOptics.zip will be downloaded
• Once the file download completes, extract the contents of the zip file to the host where the software will run. The Live Optics collector does not install like a typical Windows application.  Extracting the zip file is all that is needed to run the collector 
• NOTE: the collector can run on any host with IP connectivity to the storage array being profiled

Run the Live Optics Collector Software

• Navigate to the directory where the Live Optics collector software is downloaded
• Run LiveOpticsDotNet4_5

• Click the “Yes, I agree” button to accept the End User License Agreement

NOTE:  This question only appears the first time the collector software is run 

• Confirm the name and company is correct and click “Yes, this is me”
• If the invitation to run Live Optics was from the Dell Systems Consultant, their information will also be listed

NOTE:  This question appears the first time the collector software is run

 Start Profile Selection Process

• Select Storage from the list of Profile Types
• Select SC from the list of storage array models

Identify the DSM Data Collector to Gather the Data

• Enter the DSM Data Collector Hostname or IP address*, username, and password.  The username should be the admin or admin equivalent account
• For more info on DSM Data Collector, please visit: https://support.liveoptics.com/hc/en-us/articles/1260800744330-Data-Storage-Manager-DSM-for-SC
• Once entered, click Next

NOTE:  In some cases, because of firewall restrictions, a jump box might be required. In that case, add the jump box IP and port in the following format (x.x.x.x:port)

Start the Configuration Collection

• The collector will connect to the DSM Data Collector where it will show the list of SCs connected to the DSM
• Please select the SC that you would like to run the collection from as seen in the image below

Note: If only one SC is associated with the DSM Data Collector, it will automatically connect to the SC array.

Select the Method to Upload to the Live Optics Portal for Processing

• Selecting the default, “Upload my collection data to the Live Optics web portal automatically” this is the recommended method. Once the collection is complete, the data is automatically upload to the Live Optics portal. Use this option when the host running the collector has Internet access
• There is an option to upload later. This will save the configuration and performance data to an encrypted file, named [hostname]_SC.siokit. The file is written to the same folder the collector was executed. Use this option when the host running the collector does not have Internet. Instructions for uploading the .siokit can be found at the end of these instructions
• Once selected, click Next. 

• Enter the name of the project that will be created in the Live Optics portal
• Click Next

Collecting the data from the array

• During the collection process, a status bar indicates the progress.  The collection may take some time to complete.

Upload the data to the Live Optics portal

• Once the collection is collected, it will be automatically uploaded to the web portal
• During the upload, a status bar indicates the progress.  The upload may take some time to complete depending on the speed of the Internet connection
• The collector will indicate when the upload has completed

Create a backup file of the data

• A choice will be provided to back up the project via a .SIOKIT. There is a choice to skip this option or create the backup file.
• Identify the file name and save location of this file

Process has completed successfully!

• Once the upload has completed. Click Quit to close the collector

• An email from Live Optics will be sent when the project is ready for viewing on the web portal

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

• The Live Optics collector software is used to upload the SIOKIT files using the Windows collector
• Copy the .siokit file along with the downloaded collector software (or download again) to a host with Internet access.
• Double-click on LiveOpticDotNet4_5.exe to start the collector.
• From the top menu bar, select Upload SIOKIT. 

• Click Browse for File

Note: The file was written to the same folder the LiveOpticDotNet4_5.exe collector was executed. If uploading a backup .SIOKIT it will be located in the specified directory.

• Select the .siokit file
• Enter the name of the project that will be created in the Live Optics portal
• Click Upload

• The file is 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 the Internet connection

• The collector will indicate when the upload has completed
• Click Quit to close the collector
• An email from Live Optics will be sent when the project is ready for viewing on the web portal

View Project Results

• Log in to the Live Optics web portal (https://www.liveoptics.com)
• Recent projects are listed on the dashboard
• Select the project

• Click on the project page to view the project details using the Live Optics Online Viewer.