Business Edition Basic question

[Anonymous user]

Hello I am using a Windows 2003 server running PowerChute Business Edtion 7.0.4 and have the server connected to the UPS via a serial cable. That part is working great. I do have however other servers (combination of linux and windows) connected to the same UPS. I dont have a management card, but I know I can connect from a remote computer using a browser on port 3052 and login with my apc user name and password.

The question is, is there a way (Agent) or something like that to be installed on the other servers that will send the proper signal for a shutdown? I know it is not the same as a management card, but that can be done via software, just dont know it exist.

Also, in the case of a VMware ESXi 4.0 that is connected to an HP Storageworks SAN (iSCSI and NFS) with obviously several different VM running what are the proper requirements and best practices? For one I would imagine that there must be a way to prioritize how VM go down and then shutdown the SAN and finally the ESXi server so a few componets to consider I guess.

Regards,

Paul

[Erasmus_apc]

PCBE requires a direct serial connection for each computer that needs to be shut down. If there is no serial cable connected from the UPS to a given server, that server will not shut down. There is no network based shutdown for use with PCBE.

Generally best practice is to shut down the quickest and/or least critical applications and devices first, assuming you are referring to load shedding. Generally yes any hosted VM clients would shut down, then any additional physical hardware and finally (with runtime being maximized at this point) any VM host server hardware. Without any software to communicate to these devices, this isn't possible. Also, PCBE does not support ESXi or any other VMWare/virtualization applications so even if you had an interface expander for multiple serial cable connections, it wouldn't work anyway.

[Anonymous user]

Thanks for the feedback.

So what is generally needed a smartups with a network management card? Any particular card? What about the SAN, it runs Windows Storage Server 2008 and last the ESXi, is there an agent for it?

Thanks so much for your help.

Regards,

Paul Aviles

[Erasmus_apc · Accepted solution]

Yes, a Smart-UPS unit with an AP9630 or equivalent card, and then PowerChute Network Shutdown would be your software solution. Most non-virtualized (stand alone) Windows OS' are supported for free using a regular PCNS agent install. I don't specifically see Storage 2008 listed, but I suppose we may have called it something else in our compatibility list on the website, check there. You may be able to get it to work fine.

Windows Hyper-V and any ESX/ESXi systems (including the shutdown of any hosted OS' on said systems) will require the purchased PCNS version.