A conserved complex that contains a heterodimer of SMC proteins (Smc5p and Smc6p, or homologs thereof) and several other proteins, and is involved in DNA repair and maintaining cell cycle arrest following DNA damage. In S. cerevisiae, this is an octameric complex called Mms21-Smc5-Smc6 complex, with at least five of its subunits conserved in fission yeast and humans.