APC7921 Password Reset

[sg86_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 4/10/2015

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Hi,

I tried changing the password via web interface (from apc/apc), and seems i must have had a typo (great use of singular form field for password change :S)

I've tried factory resetting (10 seconds held in, release, 1 second held in). However, this isn't working, in that apc/apc doesn't work after i do this.

I don't have a serial cable, and it seems a RJ12 cable here in the UK is near impossible to get hold of, and i dont have a laptop with a serial port anyway.

What are my options?

Many thanks,

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 4/10/2015

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Hi,

I am not sure where you came across that "factory reset" procedure you did but it does not apply to this device. AP7XXX series PDUs don't have any procedure that involves holding down their reset button.

If you forgot the administrator password, resetting it will require you to connect locally to it via a serial cable to reset it. There is no way to reset it remotely unfortunately which would also be a security concern for many.

The procedure you'd want to find would involve getting a 940-0144 cable and then refer to the NMC1 instructions here -> http://www.apc.com/support/index?page=content&country=ITB〈=en&locale=en_US&id=FA156075 

[sg86_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 4/10/2015

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Hi Angela, thanks for the quick reply.

I found the procedure on google, and there is even a youtube video of the process so thats kind of odd. The status lights even react as pointed out in these various posts.

If serial cable is really the only way forward, where can i source one in the UK? I can't find one on ebay or anywhere else, and definitely not one i can actually use with my laptop..

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 4/10/2015

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I am based in the US so I am not sure where it may be available in the UK. Local support there may know. I have to believe this cable is on ebay. Did you try searching 940-0144 and 940-0144A? Our service spare part number for it is 0J-940-0144A.

I see it on UK ebay? http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=940-0144A&ssPageName=GSTL Sounds like you may also need a serial to USB adapter as well.

[sg86_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 4/10/2015

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Angela,

Amazing, thankyou. Would this adapter suffice? and will this work under linux?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-2-0-TO-RS232-SERIAL-DB9-9-PIN-ADAPTER-CABLE-GPS-PDA-/400748245338?pt=L...

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 4/13/2015

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I am not sure on that one. You'll just want to make sure the vendor makes a Linux driver for it. The adapter I use (because I also don't have a serial port on my work PC) is this one -> http://www.radioshack.com/gigaware-usb-to-serial-cable/2603487.html and I've gotten it to work on Windows and Mac OS X. I am not sure if it is available in your area but it is the only one I can personally vouch for.

[sg86_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 4/13/2015

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Angela,

Thanks for the help prior.

I now have the official APC part with a converter that uses the linux driver "ch341". I'm using GTKTERM with the config settings 9600 8-N-1. However, the screen just stays blank. What is the correct procedure to reset password? Should i be seeing something on screen prior to pressing the reset button?

Thanks

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 4/13/2015

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Hi John,

So you have no flow control set, correct, on the port speed? That should be set to none. You have the RJ-12 end of 940-0144 connected to the PDU's serial port, then the DB-9 end connected to your USB to serial adapter. If everything is working properly, you should just need to verify scroll lock on your keyboard is off/disabled and press enter several times to start talking to the PDU. Then, you do the button pressing stuff in the article and then log in with apc/apc temporarily to get to the system menu to change the credentials to whatever you'd like.

[sg86_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 4/13/2015

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Yes to everything you said regarding the setup.

You said press enter to start talking to the PDU, should I get a response to this? Pressing enter I just get the same cursor, nothing changes. Or do I only get a username prompt once reset button is pressed?

do I need network cable disconnected for this? Other outlets?

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 4/13/2015

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Hi John,

Yes, it should provide a prompt that says User Name: and yes, ethernet cable can remain connected and the aforementioned prompt should come up without pressing the reset button. What tool are you using for terminal access? Is it set to use VT100?

Do you have any other APC device or other serial device we can try this on? I take it not?

Have you rebooted after installing the driver for this serial to USB adapter? (I am just recalling what I had to go through to get mine working on Mac OS X.)

[sg86_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 4/13/2015

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Angela,

I'm using GTKTERM and have also tried minicomputer (Linux based software).

I've not come across VT100 in config so I will look for this.

I didn't have to install a driver for my converter, it automatically used ch341 which is in Linux kernel, if all of the above turns out that it doesn't work still then I think driver debugging or maybe buying another converter is an option to rule this out.

I don't believe I have another serial port device, though i do have a rackmount NAS and switch that possibly do so I will check them out as well.

I really appreciate the advice, I will go over some things again and update you, hopefully with a positive result!

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 4/13/2015

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oh sorry! I didn't pick up that GTKTERM was the name of the program previously but I had read that.

You're welcome. Yes, VT100 refers to the type of terminal emulation so I'd see if you see that somewhere and make sure its not set to something else. I used "serial tools" on Mac and on Windows I am always using PuTTy or HyperTerminal. I know some people use TeraTerm too.

So yeah, port speeds, scroll lock off, good cable, good driver on the coverter, correct COM port selection in GTKTERM..that is what is going through my mind.

I'll look forward to your update. I hope we can get this working!

[Terry_Kennedy_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 4/13/2015

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Does your USB-to-serial adapter have any indicator LEDs on it? The one I use has 2 LEDs, one showing data from computer -> serial and another for serial -> computer. If yours has something similar, you can at least confirm that your terminal program is talking to the serial adapter. If it doesn't have LEDs, you could carefully jumper pins 2 and 3 together on the 9-pin serial end of the USB adapter (they should be numbered), being careful to not short them to other pins or the metal shell of the connector. You should then be able to see every character you type displayed on the screen.

If you test the adapter in this manner and it doesn't work, you may be using the wrong port (normally something like /dev/ttyXX) or something else may have accessed the port in exclusive mode (for example, getty may be listening on it in case someone tries to log in). Other possibilities include a bad adapter, incorrect driver, etc.

If the adapter tests out OK, then you may be using the wrong baud rate (9600 is common, some APC gear used 2400 or 19200). If your terminal program doesn't allow you to change it, you could try the stty command, normally "stty -f /dev/ttyXX speed 9600", where XX is the port your adapter shows up as.

[sg86_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 10/8/2015

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Hi Angela,

I know its been a very long time but i never did sort this issue!

I've taken some screenshots of the config from "minicom", as with GTKTERM i'm just left with a flashing cursor:

http://imgur.com/pemq2U6

VT102 is shown, i can't see VT100 anywhere just ANSI

Here is a picture of my adaptor, not sure if it helps, there is no led:

http://imgur.com/CBlvMBx

I really would love to get access back again now as i have many more things in my rack and want to monitor usage, which is why i bought the network PDU in the first place!

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 10/8/2015

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Hi John,

I am not too familiar with Minicom but did a search and see you're basically doing the same thing as outlined here -> http://bigunix.blogspot.com/2009/09/how-to-configure-apc-pdu-using-minicom.html?_sm_au_=iHV724PNSZQT... 

At this point, I don't think it'd hurt to try a baud rate of 2400 to see if got changed from default of 9600. The others to give a quick try just incase would be 19200 and 38400.

Don't know what Terry things but looking at the adapter, I wouldn't know if anything was wrong there unfortunately.

[sg86_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 10/8/2015

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Ok I'll give the other rates a go and I've also bought another adapter to see if that's the issue, will keep you posted

Thanks

[sg86_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 10/10/2015

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New converter turned up in double fast time and it worked!

Thanks for all the help.

One last thing before the thread is done with, how do i find the current firmware version on this device?

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 10/13/2015

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It is displayed when you log in on the top right. You'll see Network Management Card AOS 3.9.0 and Rack PDU APP 3.7.4 (hopefully). Alternatively, it is displayed under System->About menu I believe.

[sg86_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 10/13/2015

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Its in neither place! I'll assume i have a very old firmware then!

I really want to make sure i upgrade correctly as to not have a repeat performance as last time. Is it possible its not visible via the UI at all in very old versions?

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 10/13/2015

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It should be there. Even the predecessor to the product had it in these menus. At least on the top right after you log in. Can you share what  you do see if it is not similar to below in some way?

[sg86_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 10/13/2015

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Ah, sorry i thought you mean't WebUI. 

Yes i have this via telnet "v2.6.4"

Can i go straight to latest firmware from this version and it can be done via telnet?

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 10/13/2015

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Hi John,

Ah, OK. That is not too old. And yes, you can go straight to AOS 3.9.0/rpdu APP 3.7.4. Only AOS 1.X.X has an upgrade path requirement to get to v3.X.X so that does not apply to you.

Telnet protocol doesn't support file transfer. You'll want to use FTP, XMODEM (serial cable - a very slow last resort), or SCP. Sounds like FTP will be easiest. Once you download the firmware, you'll get three .bin files. AOS 3.9.0, AOS 2.0.2, and rpdu 3.7.4. Get rid of AOS 2.0.2 as you won't need it and then follow the FTP/NMC1 instructions here -> http://www.schneider-electric.us/support/index?page=content&country=US〈=en&locale=en_US&id=FA156047 

Let me know if you have any questions before starting.

[sg86_apc · Accepted solution]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 10/13/2015

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Angela,

Do you have a direct link to the .bins? I can only find a "Network Management Card v3.7.4 RPDU Firmware Executable" which gives me a .exe that i cannot open on my linux machines 😮

thanks!