How to manage multiple servers

[TechSupp_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 6/30/2015

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Cant seen to get a simple answer on this one, we now have a SMT1500 UPS with our main server plugged into it and connected via the USB lead. All software is installed and the server is recognised by the console. I have two issues:

1. The console warns me and asks me to set up ups outlet groups but when I click the link it fires up IE and says "This Page can't be displayed"
2. Our other two servers are plugged into the UPS for power, but how do I get the main server to monitor them and shut them down correctly in a power fail situation? I know I have to install the agent on the two extra servers but how do they tak to the UPS? The back of the UPS has an RJ45 connection, does it use this via the network? Cant find any documentaton how to do it or even if its possible?

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 6/30/2015

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Hello,

On item #1, someone else may know more but what is the URL address it sends you to?

• Will it open in a different browser if you copy and paste it?
• Does everything else work okay with the console?

You can likely just manage a single UPS through the Agent web interface via https://127.0.0.1:6547 on your local machine or replace the 127.0.0.1 with the IP address if accessing from a remote PC.

On #2, you have two main options here. With what you have set up now, look at the AP9624 UPS Interface Expander 2 SmartSlot card. It goes in the UPS and provides two additional DB-9 serial ports on your UPS and is intended to signal multiple clients from one UPS.

Alternatively and preferred would be installing a UPS Network Management Card (AP9630 or AP9631) and use that with PowerChute Network Shutdown (PCNS) instead. You'd remove the USB cable and PowerChute Business Edition. Then, PCNS can be installed on as many servers as connected to your UPS and communicates to the Management Card over the network rather than using PowerChute Business Edition connected via USB or serial cable to the UPS. The Network Management Card also has an abundance of other features - remote UPS management, firewall, web interface, telnet, not limited by USB connection, installs in the UPS and doesn't require an OS/PC next to it, etc and is more powerful than PowerChute Business Edition in many aspects.

Hope that helps get you started.

[TechSupp_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 6/30/2015

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thanks for the reply, just wish I could have got as straight an answer from APC support or information supplied with the UPS. 

Will try the alternative web address you suggested.

Your answer on managing multiple servers clears things up, seems I indeed need extra kit to do what I wanted (and atvthe moment thats not going to happen!) so will just let it manage the main server as far as managed shut downs and just use the UPS to supply the other two servers with power for as long as it can. Not the best solution but only one available. Reading the install info never mentions anything about needing extra kit, just install agent on other servers. Ah well, thanks for info, cleared that one up. Will concentrate on the web message now.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 6/30/2015

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Even though we don't "support" or "advertise" it, you can at least directly connect two servers to the UPS (specifically this model/type that will not have communication issues upon doing this) - one via the USB as you have it and connect to the RJ-45 serial cable if that server has a serial port. You'd install PCBE Agent at least on both servers and you could monitor them from one console or separately from their webpages. (Not sure if this is what the documentation mentioned but you said it didn't clarify every Agent requires a physical connection to the UPS.)

You're welcome for the help!

If what I mentioned didn't fix the web issue, hopefully someone else has an idea. I haven't seen that issue but I also couldn't find a knowledge base on it.

[TechSupp_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 6/30/2015

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Thanks, at least thats an improvement, two servers instead of one 😀 yes both have serial ports so will connect using that as well

while you are on, two questions,

I presume a usb hub would not work as they have to be 'direct' links?

and

What is the RJ45 connection on the rear of the unit for (suppose thats what set me thinking they could all be monitored)

[TechSupp_apc · Accepted solution]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 6/30/2015

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Ah! All becomes clear now, glad I came on here. Thanks very much, help very much appreciated. Will have a look when I get back in the office tomorrow for that cable, think its sat on my desk, only evervused the USB cable previously so never loked further once it was connected by the USB cable!