How to automate mass configurations for apc ups's and pdu's

[WizardKing]

Hi All,

I've struggled with finding clear and easy solutions for mass configuring apc ups's and pdu's so I wanted to share what I've learned.

APC UPS's and PDU's receive their settings via a file called config.ini.  Within this file, there's sections denoted by brackets.

Example:

[NetworkSYSLOG]

When you need to make a change to a configuration section, like Syslog Settings.  All you need to do is create a file locally, modify the settings you want.  Then upload the file to the root directory of the device.  The device will then process that file and merge the change into config.ini.

Then the question is, how best to make mass changes.  Easy, you use "curl" to FTP the file to your devices. 

Requirements:

1. Create a file on your laptop named as the section of config you want to change.

File: NetworkSYSLOG.ini

Contents:

[NetworkSYSLOG]

Syslog=enabled
Facility=User
Server1=10.10.10.100
Server2=0.0.0.0
Server3=0.0.0.0
Server4=0.0.0.0
Port1=10514
Port2=514
Port3=514
Port4=514
Protocol1=0
Protocol2=0
Protocol3=0
Protocol4=0
Language1=enUs
Language2=enUs
Language3=enUs
Language4=enUs
SyslogMapCritical=Critical
SyslogMapWarning=Warning
SyslogMapInformational=Info

2. Create another file with all the IP's of your devices.

File: devices.txt

Contents:

10.10.10.100

10.10.10.101

10.10.10.102

Now you should have 2 files in the same directory.

NetworkSYSLOG.ini devices.txt

3. Script (automate) your changes

Using Terminal:

for i in $(cat device_list.txt); do
  curl --user USER:'PASSWORD' --upload-file NetworkSYSLOG.ini ftp://$i;
done

It's that easy, hope this helps...

--Jody