Enabling remote support using the command-line interface

Remote support enables IBM support personnel to quickly assist you with problem determination and, with your consent, remotely perform certain maintenance procedures.

Enabling the DS6000 remote support function helps optimize the availability of the DS6000. You can set up your site to receive and send e-mail notifications as well as use the Call Home function. The Call Home function alerts IBM of a problem or a potential problem as soon as it occurs. This enables IBM Customer Service to be proactive in assisting you with maintaining your DS6000 in an optimal state. You or remote support can use the DS Storage Manager or the command-line interface to send problem determination data to IBM.

You can set up remote support through the DS Storage Manager or through the command-line interface. This section describes how to use the DS CLI commands to set up remote support.

• Setting up contact information using the DS CLI
  Complete this task to establish your contact information in your system. When you use any of the remote support features, the contact information you supply is sent to IBM so that an IBM service representative can contact you.
• Setting up Call Home (SMTP) notifications using the DS CLI
  Complete this task to set up the Call Home function to contact IBM support using e-mail when a problem occurs on your storage unit. The setsmtp command is used to set up the e-mail feature of the Call Home function.
• Setting up your account information using the DS CLI
  Complete this task to set up your account information which is needed when using the Call Home function. You must use the setplex command to associate a unique name with the 1750, which in turn allows you to open a secure shell connection to a storage unit for remote support.
• Activating the Call Home function using the DS CLI
  Complete this task to activate the Call Home function using the DS CLI. The Call Home function allows the transmission of operational and error-related data to IBM. It is the capability that allows the storage unit to alert IBM support of machine conditions.
• Setting up SNMP notifications using the DS CLI
  One of the support options you can configure for your storage unit involves the notification of Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) alert traps. SNMP notifications are alerts and notifications of thresholds that have been exceeded and exception events that have occurred. This task shows you how to set up your storage unit to receive these notifications as they occur.
• Setting up SIM notifications using the DS CLI
  Service information messages (SIMs) are generated by a storage unit for S/390 and zSeries hosts. You can designate the level of error you want to be notified about and how often you want to be notified.