General question on APC Smart-UPS 1000VA and addition of Network Management

[Anonymous user]

Hello everyone,

I have couple of Smart UPS (APC Smart-UPS 1000VA) which has eight NEMA 5-15R outputs. I have connected two servers to each of the UPS units. I would like to add STONITH (Shoot The Other Node In The Head) as they are set as a High Availability (HA) configuration in addition to graceful shutdown capability to the system. Currently the UPS units don't have any Network Management Card and I wish to purchase couple of the them for the UPS units. Can someone help with the following question which comes to my mind:

1- I would like to know if it is possible to control the power to the individual output in order to shutdown just one server rather than shutting down the power to the entire eight output power will be cut?
2- I have looked around (ebay mainly) for Network Management Card and have seen two different models (AP9630 and AP9616). Can someone explain what is the main difference between these to units and what I should be concern with in regard to enable to power control of just one output connection at the time?
3- If it is possible to control the power to the individual output via Network Management Card, can someone recommend me one inexpensive and my budget is very limited for the project.

If you also know of any other information which can help me to add the STONITH ability to my current Linux High Availability (HA), I really appreciate it.

Thanks,

Avestan

Message was edited by: Avestan

Message was edited by: Avestan

[voidstar_apc]

>
1- I would like to know if it is possible to control the power to the individual output in order to shutdown just one server rather than shutting down the power to the entire eight output power will be cut?
>

Depends on your SmartUPS. The latest ones (SMT and SMX models) have outlet groups and can turn individual outlet groups on or off. Older SmartUPS can only turn all outlets on or off.

If you have a newer SmartUPS, we don't yet have a complete solution to automatically turn individual outlets off during shut down. It would require a bit of custom scripting. However, a complete solution (Network Management Card firmware + PowerChute Network Shutdown) is coming soon.

>
2- I have looked around (ebay mainly) for Network Management Card and have seen two different models (AP9630 and AP9616). Can someone explain what is the main difference between these to units and what I should be concern with in regard to enable to power control of just one output connection at the time?
>

AP9616 is an older NMC hardware platform that has been discontinued. I would advise buying an AP9630 as it gets the latest firmware updates. There's a lot of improvements in the AP9630 and the two that really stand out are fast SSH/HTTPS performance due to hardware accelerated crypto and IPv6 support. And if you have a newer SmartUPS (SMX or SMT) then the AP9630 is the only one that will work.

I assume the reason you don't want to turn off all the outlets of the UPSes is because your servers are dual-corded and are plugged into both UPSes. I also assume each UPS is rated to hold up both servers, and you're trying to get extra run time.

My suggestion for using the hardware you already have is to leave the UPSes running. During a power outage, have one of the servers shut down. Set up the servers BIOS setting to turn back on after a power failure and in response to a Wake-on-LAN packet. If the power failure lasts too long for the UPS to keep the live server up, then they'll both go down and then when power returns, both turn on. If the power returns before the UPS battery is exhausted, then have the live server wake up the dead server using wake-on-lan.

[Anonymous user]

voidstar,

Thank you for respond and detail information in regard with what I am trying to achieve. While we are on the same topic, I have come across APC AP9225 MasterSwitch Plus. I was unable to find a detail specification on this module but after some web search, I came to conclusion that I can also achieve Single Output Power control using this module. Can I have your thoughts on this one please?

You are absolutely correct on your assumptions when you said, "I assume the reason you don't want to turn off all the outlets of the UPSes is because your servers are dual-corded and are plugged into both UPSes. I also assume each UPS is rated to hold up both servers, and you're trying to get extra run time." I like your input and suggestion in regard with extending the running during the Main Power Failure and that is what I had in mind with no solution prior to your suggestion.

In addition to the said, some of my servers are part of a Database cluster and I am using using Linux High Availability (Heartbeat + Pacemaker + mon + some custom scripts) to monitor the health and well-being of the boxes at the service and server level. Consequently, I would like to be able to shutdown a single server which is part of a cluster and basically looses synchronization or start to malfunction in any sort which can result in "Split Brain". This scenario doesn't reflect a Main Power Failure by the utility company. It is rather to kick out a misbehaved server out of a cluster by simply turning it OFF or restarting/rebooting it with the hope that it can join the cluster in harmony with the rest of the cluster (synchronized).

I also notice 8 D-Type connector on this unit, which makes me believe each of them is related to One Output Power which can be controlled via a Serial Cable. Am I correct or I am absolutely mistaken.

Thanks,

Avestan

Message was edited by: Avestan

[voidstar_apc]

>
Thank you for respond and detail information in regard with what I am trying to achieve. While we are on the same topic, I have come across APC AP9225 MasterSwitch Plus.
>

I'm not familiar with the MasterSwitch products but perhaps someone else here can confirm whether it allows turning off/on individual outlets. I know the APC switched PDUs can do this.

[Anonymous user]

Hello voidstar,

Then APC AP9225EXP MasterSwitch Plus 8 Port PDU should be the right guy to use? It is basically a APC MasterSwitch with 8 Port Power Distribution Unit PDU.

Thanks,

Avestan
Ps. Is it OK to post a link to products which for sale on websites like ebay or this is against the policy of the forum? Keeping in mind that these are USed or New APC products.

Message was edited by: Avestan

[BillP]

masterswitches are the old version of switched rack PDUs (power distribution units with individual outlet control). keep in mind there is not much support for them but they do offer individual outlet control. i believe masterswitch plus, that had serial ports on them, allowed you to do load shedding by attaching serial cables to servers and having them turn off (by talking to the old powerchute plus software) before the outlet turned off or something like that.

again, this is a very old product and there is limited support available for it.

you can post the link to the ebay item here for this purpose, its alright.

i believe the AP9225EXP is an expansion unit of some sort.

[here is a thread on that product i found|Referenced content removed]

[BillP]

hi avestan,

the SUA1000 UPS itself can support a maximum of 12 amps per national electrical code. it has a NEMA *5-15* input cord. the *5* indicates it uses 120v and the 15 refers to a *15* amp rating. per nation electrical code though, the outlet the UPS is plugged into dereated to 80% of the potential current, for safety reasons, which gives us 12 amps. thus, you'd plug it into a 15amp circuit and the UPS will start warning you over load at 12 amps but it will not trip a breaker until it reaches 15 amps. each output receptacle on the SUA1000 is NEMA 5-15 as well so each outlet is technically rated for 15 amps but then derated to 12 amps. if the (8) servers are below 12 amps, you'll be fine, but if not, you may need a 20 amp UPS perhaps, derated to 16 amps.

[this knowledgebase article talks about that "80% rule" i mentioned|http://nam-en.apc.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1123/]

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Hello i picKed a winna,

Thanks for the information, mate. While we are on the same subject, if I decide to connect a AP9225EXP to a one of the APC Smart-UPS 1000VA, this setup allows me to have eight outputs which can be controlled indevituall on the AP9225EXP.

Now the question is will I be able to connect 8 servers to the AP9225EXP since the unit is going to be connected to one output of the APC Smart-UPS 1000VA. Can one output of the APC Smart-UPS 1000VA provide enough Power (Volts * Current) for all the servers connected to AP9225EXP?

Unfortunatly, I couldn't find any information on the maximum capability of one output power on APC Smart-UPS 1000VA. Would you by any chance know this or can point me to the right document?

Here is the link to the products that I am point to:

APC Smart-UPS 1000VA:
http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SUA1000

AP9225EXP:
http://cgi.ebay.com/APC-MASTERSWITCH-PLUS-AP9225EXP-NEW-BOX-/190348881276?pt=COMP_EN_Networking_Comp...

Thanks,

Avestan