SYMMETRIX

EMC Symmetrix: VCMDB and ACLX

VCMDB: Volume Control Manager Database

ACLX: Access Control Logix
VCM: Volume Control Manager device (where the database resides)
VCM Gatekeeper: Volume Control Manager Gatekeeper (database doesnt reside on these devices)
SFS Volumes: Symmetrix File System Volumes
If you work with EMC Symmetrix systems, you know the importance of VCMDB. Introduced with Symmetrix 4.0 and
used in every generation after that, VCMDB stands for Volume Control Manager Database). Also in the latest
generation of systems the VCM device is at times also referenced as VCM Gatekeeper.
VCMDB is a relatively small device that is created on the Symmetrix system that allows for hosts access to various
devices on the Symmetrix. VCMDB keeps an inventory of which devices have access to which host (HBAs). Without a
VCMDB in place, host systems will not be able to access the Symmetrix. The VCMDB should be backed up on regular
intervals and would be helpful in a rainy day.
The VCMDB device size grew along with new generations of Symmetrix systems that got introduced, primarily a means
to keep a track of more supported devices (hypers / splits) on these platforms. With the introduction of Symmetrix VMax, the VCMDB concept is now a bit changed to ACLX (Access Control Logix). Access Logix is being used on the
Clariion systems for years now.
. Here are a few things to consider with VCMDB

On the older Symmetrix systems (4.0, 4.8, 5.0 and 5.5), the VCMDB (device) is mapped to all the channels,
host

In these systems the VCMDB access is typically restricted by Volume Logix or ACL (access control lists)

With the Symmetrix DMX, DMX2 Systems Enginuity Code 5670, 5671 the VCM device only requires to be
mapped to the Management stations

Management stations include SYMCLI Server / Ionix Control Center Server / Symmetrix Management Console

At all given times on the DMX, DMX2 platforms, the VCMDB would need to be mapped to at least one station
to perform online SDDR changes. Alternatively this problem of not having device mapped to at least one host
can also be fixed by the PSE lab

Mapping VCMDB to multiple hosts, channels may make the device venerable to crashes, potential tampering,
device attributes and data change

You can write disable VCMDB to avoid the potential of the above

With these systems, the host can communicate to the VCMDB via Syscalls

The VCM Edit Director Flag (fibrepath) needs to be enabled for management stations to see VCM device

The database (device masking database) of the VCMDB resides on the SFS volumes. This feature was
introduced with DMX-3 / DMX-4 (5772 version of microcode). A 6 cylinder VCM Gatekeeper device is okay to
use with these versions of microcode.

Starting Symmetrix V-Max systems, the concept of ACLX was introducted for Auto Provisioning etc.

VCM volumes are required to be mirrored devices like SFS volumes

. Various different types of VCMDB

Type 0, Type 1, Type 2, Type 3, Type 4, Type 5, Type 6

Type 0: Symmetrix 4.0, 32 Director System, 16 cylinder device size, Volume Logix 2.x

Type 1: Symmetrix 4.8, 64 Director System, 16 cylinder device size, ESN Manager 1.x

Type 2: Symmetrix 5.0/5.5, 64 Director System, 16 cylinder device size, ESN Manager 2.x

Type 3: Symmetrix DMX, supports 32 fibre/ 32 iSCSI initiator records per port, 24 cylinder device in size.
Enginuity 5569, Solutions Enabler 5.2, Support 8000 devices

Type 4: Symmetrix DMX/DMX-2, supports 64 fibre/ 128 iSCSI initiator records per port, 48 cylinder device in
size. Enginuity 5670, Solutions Enabler 5.3, Supports 8000 devices

Type 5: Symmetrix DMX/DMX-2, supports 64 fibre / 128 iSCSI initiator records per port, 96 cylinder device
in size, Enginuity 5671, Solutions Enabler 6.0, Supports 16000 devices

Type 6: Symmetrix DMX-3, DMX-4, supports 256 fibre / 512 iSCSI initiator records per port, 96 cylinder
device in size, Enginuity 5771, 5772 Solutions Enabler 6.0, Supports 64000 devices

.Notes about various Types of VCMDB

Type 3 of VCMDB can be converted to Type 4 VCMDB (code upgrade from 5669 to 5670 to 5671)

Solutions enabler 5.2 and Solutions Enabler 5.3 can read/write Type 3 VCMDB

Solutions enabler 5.3 can read/write Type 4 VCMDB

VCMDB device is recommended to be a certain size, but it is okay to use a larger size device if no choices are
available.

.Converting various types of VCMDB using SymCLI

If the device cylinder size is equal with a conversion you are attempting, the following will help you convert
your VCMDB from type x to type y.

Backup the device

symmaskdb sid <symmid> backup file backup

Check the VCMDB type using

symmaskdb sid <symmid> list database

Convert from type 4 to type 5

Symmaskdb sid <symmid> convert vcmdb_type 5 file Covertfilename

.To initialize VCMDB for the first time on a Symmetrix System

Within Ionix Control Center

Click on the Symmetrix array you are trying to initialize the VCMDB

Select Masking then VCMDB Management and then initialize

Select a new backup and create a file name

Create a file name with .sdm extenstion

Click on Activate the VCMDB

VCMDB backups are stored at \home\ecc_inf\data\hostname\data\backup\symmserial\

Also it will be viewable within Ionix Control Center at Systems/Symmetrix/VCMDB Backups/

.With SymCLI

To query the VCMDB database

symmaskdb sid <symmid> list database

To backup and init an existing VCMDB database

symmaskdb sid <symmid> init file backu