SMI-S support for host-based management systems
This section provides general reference for SMI-S client developers who might want to develop their own management solutions for IBM® storage products.
The Storage Management Initiative Specifications (SMI-S) are the leading storage-management API standards that are widely adopted by storage vendors. Using the SMI-S API, customers or independent software vendors (ISVs) can develop their own software solutions for managing heterogeneous storage deployments. For example, Microsoft is using SMI-S in System Center 2019 - Virtual Machine Manager (VMM), providing rapidly-integrated management of advanced disk arrays without needing any storage vendor add-on.
All IBM storage products support the SMI-S standard, which defines the Common Information Model (CIM) of each storage system management and used as the base model for ISV and customer solution development.
The SMI-S standard is driven by the Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA), and the CIM standard is driven by the Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF).
Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA)
The Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) is dedicated to driving future storage industry standards, best practices, and education. It is focused on easing user challenges through high-level knowledge exchange, thought leadership, and promotion of storage standards. One such standard is the Storage Management Initiative Specifications (SMI-S).
For more information about SNIA and its latest standards, see the SNIA website (www.snia.org).
Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF)
The Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF) is an industry group that represents corporations in the computer and telecommunications industries. The DMTF is leading the effort to develop and disseminate standards for the management of desktop environments, enterprise-wide systems, and the Internet. One such standard is the Common Information Model (CIM).
For more information about DMTF and its latest standards, see the DMTF website (www.dmtf.org).
IBM storage array CIM agents
- IBM System Storage DS® Open API – includes support for IBM TotalStorage DS8300, IBM System Storage® DS8800, and IBM System Storage DS8700.
- IBM System Storage SAN Volume Controller
- IBM Storwize® V7000
- IBM Storwize V7000 Unified
- IBM XIV® Storage System
- IBM Spectrum Accelerate
- IBM FlashSystem® A9000
- IBM FlashSystem A9000R
The built-in support for SMI-S in IBM storage arrays facilitates the development of different management solutions such as monitoring and control of physical storage, configuration, and provisioning of SAN storage, and copying or protection of data through remote mirroring and snapshots.
For more information about the latest versions of IBM Storage CIM agents, see the SMI-S Conformance Testing Program reference page on the Storage Networking Industry Association (SNIA) website (www.snia.org/ctp/conformingproviders/ibm.html).
Developer guides for IBM storage arrays
You can find developer guides for IBM storage arrays by accessing the information for your IBM storage system on the IBM Knowledge Center.