AP9630 Shutdown Timing Question

[dale.magnant_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 7/19/2014

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Hello,

I have an AP9630 installed in a SmartUPS RT 1500 supporting a comm rack (switches, router, firewall).  There are no PCNS clients associated with this device.  At the point of utility power failure I want the UPS to provide back up power for 5 minutes and then shut down.  That's it.

I have configured the UPS/Shutdown page in a manner that I would have hoped would give me the five minute shutdown.  Upon testing, the UPS continues to run until it simply drains the battery.

Can someone tell me what settings are needed to simply cause this thing to shut off 5 minutes after losing line power?

I have worked in the IT sector for over 30 years and I've run into few examples of software design that are as poorly executed as the user interface on these network management cards.  I can scarcely imagine the collective time that has been wasted trying to get these things to respond predictably.

Thank you,

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 7/20/2014

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This can be done fairly easily with something we added called controlled early shutdown for UPS units without outlet groups. But, I need to know what firmware is on the AP9630 to see if the firmware you have supports it. If it doesn't, it can be upgraded.

Can you let me know what AOS and APP version you have? With the blue web interface, it's under Administration tab/menu, General, About. If your interface is green, it should be under About, Network.

The Controlled Early Shutdown settings, if available depending on your firmware version, should be under UPS tab/menu, Configuration, Shutdown and would allow you to simply select a checkbox to say after UPS is on battery for 5 minutes, turn off.

Also, it may help to know what you did configure in case it interferes with using controllEd early shutdown or if we need to adjust it back. I can also just review your config.ini file if you want to provide that (for which I can provide instructions for downloading it).

[dale.magnant_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 7/22/2014

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Angela,

Thank you for your response.  Sorry for the late reply, I'm hoping to have some time tomorrow to revisit this and respond further.

[dale.magnant_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 7/25/2014

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Ok - I have updated the AP9630 in question to the latest firmware on the APC website.  I then tested the Controlled Early Shutdown with a 3 minute setting and that worked as advertised.

I don't see any appreciable improvement in the layout, logic, or comprehensibility of this page rendered in the new firmware versus the old firmware. 

Finally, the 3 minute default for the inactivity log off is insane.  I have attempted to reset it to 60 minutes several times and it does not appear to be having any effect.  I did, as the help file indicates, log off after making the change.  Still, no go.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 7/25/2014

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v5.1.7 supports controlled early shutdown and still uses the blue/white interface if you really dislike the new firmware. I can give it to you if you want to downgrade after understanding you'll need to format the system and wipe it at some point to ensure integrity after the downgrade. I can provide specific instructions/details if you wanted.

And I have a feeling your auto-log out is being adjusted in the wrong place and that is why it is not working. This is done on a per user basis now. When you're logged in, click on your username on the top right corner of the web UI and adjust it in that preference screen that pops up. This shortcut takes you to Configuration->Security->Local Users->Management->*username* from that page. What you're adjusting sounds like the "default user settings" to default template for new users you add to the system (Configuration->Security->Local Users->Default User settings) and not for your user account specifically.

If you are doing it in the right spot, it does take affect on the subsequent log in, not the current session when you apply it.

Hope that helps clarify.