Getting started with PowerChute, network and our business needs

[Budgie]

My first post here and quick introduction to our business profile.

Small private use has grown over time with business now running modest network to support a hospitality business with accommodation, retail and bistro.

IT infrastructure hardware includes half a dozen pcs or workstations (openSUSE & Windows 10), NAS, managed switches, wifi APs and a diverse collection of UPS devices, all APC with power ratings between 1 and 3KVA.

The need here is that our power connection is from overhead cable on poles in rural setting and we have several power outages a year.  These can be very disruptive, particularly for on line business and retail cloud connections which must keep running.

I cannot afford to buy all new UPS kit but wish to make better and more intelligent use of what I have using network if appropriate.

My reason for posting here is that I have been overwhelmed by the volume of APC options and information available and seek help in understanding exactly what UPS kit I have, what firmware upgrades are required if available and preparing a plan to achieve an optimum configuration.

Grateful for any help or advice please.

Budgie   

[Budgie]

I hope I get a reply soon.  I am all set with Network card installed (AP9630) and running openSUSE linux but need help please with initial setting up, expecially the order for setting up the Network card, firmware upgrade and then the application software.

Is there anybody willing to give me some advice please. 

[BillP]

@Budgie 

What APC UPS/s do you have and what network management card/s are installed? 

[Budgie]

I have answered these questions on another thread but for consistency, we have 5 Smart UPS devices, 2x3000VA, 2x1500VA and 1x1000VA. I have three AP9630 NMC 2 cards and several of the older AP9619 or below. 

After some false starts I now have all my NMC devices upgraded to the latest version of the firmware which is 3.9.4 for the AP9619 and 7.0.4 for the AP9630 devices.

I may have omitted something important but I cannot access PowerChute on a server machine.  All I get is a strange string of about 7 characters on the opening webpage.  

Is there a guide which gives me the order for setting up the minimum parameters to get the connection working.  I can build on hat but so far I cannot access the server form Linux machine or from Windoze machine although the PowerChute app is installed on both.

Grateful for guidance when you have time please,

Regards,

Budge

[BillP]

@Budgie 

What version of PowerChute are you running? Business Edition or Network Shutdown? 

What browser are you using to access PowerChute?

Please include a screenshot of the web page output.