Linux friendly?

[jstan_apc]

I've got a Smart-UPS (C) 1500 for a vmware server and a further separate ubuntu server.

Issue - is APC linux friendly? 

When do a product search I was told by APC support that the only route to getting things working was through windows and Powerchute. It was not constructive and did nothing to get my  problem solved. Linux based systems are not a special case. 

Thanks for various forums I've found a solution to getting the APC to shutdown my VMware and datastore. Now I need to shut the separate ubuntu server down and face another long winded process to get a solution. 

Even today I see regular posts from customers trying to figure out how to make APC hardware work on linux based platforms.  Any chance you can step into your customers' world and become a little more user friendly? (A question for APC over forum members)

Perhaps the clever people at APC could write a few code examples along with a few scenarios to help their customers and the community? Right now I'm a big fan of the people that have helped me get a solution working -- and not APC.  That seems a pity. The trajectory of clever organizations is to partner with their users, create solutions and develop a bit of a fan base.

Question: 

From what I've read this model will support simultaneous use of both the USB and serial data port. Is this correct?

Observations on the linux friendly? part of the post are very welcome.  

Support on the question about simultaneous use of the ports would be appreciated!

Thanks

[Brad_C]

On 15/2/2020 12:13 PM, James said:

Observations on the linux friendly? part of the post are very welcome.  

Try apcupsd.

On 15/2/2020 12:13 PM, James said:

Support on the question about simultaneous use of the ports would be appreciated!

I suppose it depends on which generation of device you have. The only UPS I have with dual serial/USB ports are the SUA series and it's not supported to use both at the same time.

[jstan_apc]

>>Try apcupsd

Yes - well that is rather the point.  I can eventually get it working. Why can't a few smart people at APC reduce the "trying" and fiddling time?

The model is a APC Smart-UPS 1500 (driver 2.7.4).  I have seem some old posts (2011) that suggest "newer" models can use both ports. 

So (1) on this model can I use both ports?

(2) can I use a powered USB hub to communicate with two machines simultaneously

[Brad_C]

On 17/2/2020 12:03 PM, James said:

The model is a APC Smart-UPS 1500

There are lots of different 1500VA Smart-UPS of varying generations. What is the actual model number from the sticker on the unit? Something like SUA1500RMI2U or SMC1500I-2U.

On 17/2/2020 12:03 PM, James said:

(2) can I use a powered USB hub to communicate with two machines simultaneously

No. USB is a Host/Device protocol. One host, multiple devices. You could put a network card in it and shut down multiple machines however.

[jstan_apc]

On 2/16/2020 11:24 PM, Brad said:

What is the actual model number from the sticker on the unit? Something like SUA1500RMI2U or SMC1500I-2U.

I'm not actually beside the machine but the serial is: AS1548110237

On 2/16/2020 11:24 PM, Brad said:

No. USB is a Host/Device protocol. One host, multiple devices. You could put a network card in it and shut down multiple machines however.

Is this a regular Intel NIC?

I'm trying to understand when this kind of hub can be used:

https://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/FA158839/

[BillP]

Hi,

You have options depending on the model Smart-UPS C. With a SMT Smart-UPS you have the options of installing PowerChute Business Edition or PowerChute Netowrk Shudown on VMware to power down the VMware host. PowerChute Network Shutdown can also be install on Ubuntu. For PowerChute Network Shutdown to work the SMT would require a network card installed in the Smart slot. To power down the Ubuntu with PowerChute Business Edition you would need to write a script it will run to remotely power of the OS. 

If the Smart-UPS is SMC you would need to install PowerChute Business Edition on VMware vMA and script the shutdown of the Ubuntu system. 

There are also other option such as APCUPSD. If you will provide the exact model of the Smart-UPS I can be more specific. 

[Brad_C]

On 17/2/2020 2:46 PM, James said:

I'm not actually beside the machine but the serial is: AS1548110237

Right, so it's relatively new then. Can't help you with the port configuration.

If your firmware supports MODBUS then apcupsd will work. The docs for apcupsd are pretty comprehensive, so there's really no trial and error.

On 17/2/2020 2:46 PM, James said:

Is this a regular Intel NIC?

No. It's an APC specific network card which provides Web, SNMP & Powerchute (among other protocols) and allows you to have the UPS signal multiple network clients of varying software. Potentially worth the $$ if you have multiple systems to manage.

On 17/2/2020 2:46 PM, James said:

I'm trying to understand when this kind of hub can be used:

When you have one host (PC) and multiple devices (Keyboard, Mouse, UPS) and/or multiple UPSs.

[jstan_apc · Accepted solution]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I have got the UPS to communicate over USB with my FreeNas data store. This then acts as a master to trigger shutdown of the VM (i.e., VM tools gracefully shutdown each VM and then shuts the metal down).  That largely works for me now.  I'm missing one in the "chain" - a separate linux box.  I guess I'll figure out how to get that to also close but that is less critical.