Help for configuration: Single UPS and PCNS on physical host + VM shutdown

[Anonymous user]

Hello,

I have few questions trying to set up a Single UPS configuration with PCNS running on a physical machine and VM shutdown configured (no vApp or VM migration).

I followed the great explanations of the following blog: https://www.stevejenkins.com/blog/2013/07/howto-configure-low-battery-duration-and-pcns-to-shut-down...

I want to implement the "Time Remaining" (UPS-driven) solution.

Here is a schema from my configuration and how I understand it:

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I have not configured the Event Shutdown Delay on my PCNS software.

1. Is my configuration correct?

I'm not sure because if I read the APC documentation, it seems that the Event Shutdown Delay is first used and that Low Battery Duration is then used.

2. The Maximum Required Delay doesn't moves from 2 minutes even after a NMC restart...

Thanks in advance.

Cheers

Stéphane

[BillP]

Hi,

What is the model of the UPS, where is vCenter installed, and how many host are being powered down? 

[Anonymous user]

UPS model is Smart-UPS SRT 5000

vCenter is installed on a physical host (same as PCNS is installed)

I have 3 hosts (ESX) powered on Outlet group 1 (and other devices)

[BillP]

Hi,

When you review the shutdown setting in the PCNS web interface have you selected Turn off UPS or Turn off UPS Outlet Group? Also, when you review the NMC web interface and go to Configure Shutdown is the low battery duration set for 25 minutes? If so on the same page if you select PowerChute Shutdown Parameters - Maximum Required Delay - Force negotiation and click apply the Maximum required delay should be changed to 25 minutes. 

What will happen is when the UPS runtime falls below 25 minutes the NMC will signal PCNS to start the shutdown process. PCNS will put the hosts into maintenance mode and power down the VMs based on the priority order. Then the hosts will be powered down and then the system PCNS and vCenter are running on will be power down. The UPS will wait 25 minutes plus 2 and then kill power to the outlet group or groups. 

[Anonymous user]

Hi,

thanks for your help, very appreciated!

No i have the default option "Do not turn off the UPS". Is the Smart-UPS SRT 5000 compatible with this option if I selected Turn off UPS?

I thought that the default behaviour of the UPS would be to be turned off (see my schema). Should I select Turn off UPS in the PCNS shutdown settings?

I have applied force negociation and the value of Maximum Required Delay is now 25 minutes...

So can you confirm that even without having set the UPS On Battery Shutdown Delay on the PCNS, my diagram is correct?

[BillP]

HI,

If you do not select Turn off UPS the UPS will power down however it will wait until the battery is drained before powering down. 

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When the UPS runtime falls below 25 minutes the NMC will send a signal to PowerChute and the shutdown process as listed will start. 

The on battery event is the low battery event as reported by the NMC so there is no delay for step 1 and you have not configured a command file so step 4 is skipped.

If you look at the outlet group settings in the NMC web interface you will see that they will have a 25 minute delay based on the maximum required delay. So steps 3 through 6 will have 25 minutes to complete before power is cut to the outlet groups.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hello, Bill,

Sorry, I tried, but I can't do it. Too many interacting variables. Is it too much to ask for a detailed advice where to do which setting in my relatively simple scenario? 

There is  a SmartUPS 1500 with an NMC9630, a single server (2012 core, hosting 2 virtual machines) is connected to main outlet. PCNS is installed on the host. The UPS usually has a runtime remaining of 100 minutes. My requirements are:

1. At 45 minutes of remaining run time, the PCNS or NMC should start a batch (which shuts down the virtual machines).

2. The batch takes about 1200 seconds (20 minutes).

3. After counting down these 20 Minutes the PCNS or NMC should shut down the host.

4. Four minutes after the beginning of the host shutdown, the UPS should switch off server and itself.

5. When the power flows again, the UPS should switch on itself and the server as well.

If someone thinks the remaining 21 minutes (45 - 20 - 4) are a waste: My intention is to have a safety buffer in the case that the battery suffers from old age and will not survive the calculated remaining runtime.

Thank you very much if you (or someone else) could configure this process as an example.

Greetings,

Stefano