smartctl -H
         -l error|selftest|background
         [-c] -t offline|short|long*
                 [Offline tests shows up in "-l error", others in "-l selftest"]
                 [I think that real SCSI device tests always ONLY run in fg]
                 ["long" can take HOURS]
                 [can use "-c" only if no mounted parts]
                 [can abort bg tests with "-x"]

For libata scsi drives, need to specify "-d ata /dev/sdX".
(Can't tell from man page if should use "ata" or "sat").

See man page for smartd.conf for the rather complex syntax of that file.

With OpenSUSE 13.2 at least, enable with systemctl:
systemctl status smartd.service
systemctl start smartd.service
systemctl status smartd.service
systemctl enable smartd.service