Introduction to Monitoring IBM Spectrum Virtualize

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This section describes how to monitor IBM Spectrum Virtualize storage systems in Skylar One using the "IBM: Spectrum Virtualize" PowerPack.

The following sections provide an overview of IBM Spectrum Virtualize and the "IBM: Spectrum Virtualize" PowerPack:

What is IBM Spectrum Virtualize?

IBM Spectrum Virtualize is a large-scale storage system that allows for symmetric virtualization and data management across on-premises and cloud environments, and integrates with multiple other IBM systems.

What Does the IBM: Spectrum Virtualize PowerPack Monitor?

The "IBM: Spectrum Virtualize" PowerPack enables you to discover, model, and collect data about IBM Spectrum Virtualize systems. The PowerPack includes:

  • A universal credential you can use to connect to the IBM Spectrum Virtualize systems you want to monitor
  • Dynamic Applications to discover and monitor IBM Spectrum Virtualize devices
  • Device classes for the clusters, storage pools, managed disks, and component containers that Skylar One monitors
  • Event policies and corresponding alerts that are triggered when IBM Spectrum Virtualize devices meet certain status criteria

Installing the IBM: Spectrum Virtualize PowerPack

Before completing the steps in this section, you must import and install the latest version of the "IBM: Spectrum Virtualize" PowerPack.

By default, installing a new version of a PowerPack will overwrite all content in that PowerPack that has already been installed on the target system. You can use the Enable Selective PowerPack Field Protection setting in the Behavior Settings page (System > Settings > Behavior) to prevent the new version of the PowerPack from overwriting local changes for some commonly customized fields.

For details on upgrading Skylar One, see the relevant Skylar One Platform Release Notes.

To download and install the PowerPack:

  1. Search for and download the PowerPack from the PowerPacks page at the ScienceLogic Support Center (Skylar One > PowerPacks, login required).
  2. In Skylar One, go to the PowerPacks page (System > Manage > PowerPacks).
  3. Click the actions icon and choose Import PowerPack. The Import PowerPack dialog box appears.
  4. Click [Browse] and navigate to the PowerPack file from step 1.
  5. Select the PowerPack file and click Import. The PowerPack Installer modal displays a list of the PowerPack contents.
  6. Click Install. The PowerPack is added to the PowerPacks page.

If you exit the PowerPack Installer modal without installing the imported PowerPack, the imported PowerPack will not appear on the PowerPacks page. However, the imported PowerPack will appear in the Imported PowerPacks modal. This modal appears when you click the Actions menu and select Install PowerPack.

Upgrading from Version 100

Version 101 of the "IBM: Spectrum Virtualize" PowerPack introduces a new Dynamic Component Mapping (DCM) structure. This structure discovers components under dedicated containers instead of directly under the cluster root device, as version 100 did. Devices that you discovered in version 100 do not automatically migrate to this new structure post-upgrade.

After you upgrade the PowerPack, ScienceLogic recommends rerunning guided discovery for your IBM Spectrum Virtualize devices. When you do so, the system creates new devices with the updated container hierarchy but also retains your previously discovered devices.

As a result, you might have two devices that represent the same system. You can manage the older devices at your discretion if you want to retain their historical data, events, and tickets. If you delete these devices, you permanently lose their historical data.