Adding AP9606 managment card to Smart UPS 2200 disables the serial port?

[Anonymous user]

We have a Smart UPS 2200 connected to a server running apcupsd and this has worked well for a long time. This afternoon I added a AP9606 management card to the UPS which also works fine but I then discovered the serial port on the UPS no longer functions as it used to - apcupsd on the server can no longer communicate with the UPS. Is this normal?

Andy 

[BillP]

Hi andyt22,

Technically it depends but the answer is generally yes, this is normal. The design is that a user uses a SmartSlot accessory like a management card OR serial communications. Some UPS models will operate with both but it is not supported or recommended and communication could fail at any time.

If you decide you want to get apcupsd going again, you can remove the management card and restart apcupsd and if that does not work, then you'll need to braindead/reset the UPS most likely. that requires turning off and unplugging UPS load, disconnecting any serial cables, and turning off the UPS. then you'll disconnect AC power/unplug the UPS from the wall and hold down the UPS off button on the front panel for a few seconds in order to discharge the capacitors and reset communications. If this is done correctly, the UPS will click and flash its front panel LEDs. then you can reconnect everything as long as the management card has been removed too.

[Anonymous user]

Just had a thought - instead of the serial port, can I use the USB port as well as the management card?

Andy

[BillP · Accepted solution]

unfortunately not. and you cant use serial and USB at the same time either. connecting something via USB will disable the serial port completely.

in general it is Management Card OR USB OR serial.

[Anonymous user]

OK thanks for the info. I've pulled the management card out for now and the serial port immediately started working again. I've reverted to using apcupsd on this UPS/server cluster only while I re-think the whole server room strategy (this ties in with my posts earlier in the week about shutting down a UPS using SNMP via the NMC, which is now working fine on my other UPS units).

Thanks for your help,

Andy