Macintosh PowerChute

[BillP]

This question was originally posted by David on APC forums on 3/1/2010

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Why has APC dropped support for Macintosh computers? The software has not been updated for years, the new machines are 64 bit, it is a pain to set the preferences.

[Techie_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 3/2/2010

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David,

What is the flavor of the MAC that you are referring to? Do you have a USB Back UPS or a Smart UPS?

fyi..the PCNS version 2.2.4 which works in conjunction with an APC NMC supports Mac OS X Server 10.6.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Laurie on APC forums on 3/2/2010

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Mostly because the native support had more options than PowerChute for Mac did, last I checked...

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Jan on APC forums on 3/3/2010

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In 10.6.2 there is no proper "native support" for UPSs anymore, all they offer is standby mode and not even a proper shutdown.
However APCUPSD and Equinux still work great in that regard with units connected via USB.

[curby_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 3/18/2010

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I'm a little concerned with this as well. Equinux is interesting but costs $130 for a single license, more than some APC UPSes! APCUPSD is nice software that I've used before on Linux, but compiling for OS X seems a little complex, e.g. very specific versions of libraries must be used, etc.

Do the above products work with an out-of-the-box SMT**00? The change from RS232 cabling was accompanied by a note that the communication protocols had changed a bit, and certain older protocols would not be supported any longer without an expansion card.

In the end, I hope that APC re-evaluates Mac support. Contrary to popular pundit opinion it doesn't appear that Apple is going to go under any time soon, and increased support for this platform would be very much appreciated by its users!

[voidstar_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 3/21/2010

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>
I'm a little concerned with this as well. Equinux is interesting but costs $130 for a single license, more than some APC UPSes! APCUPSD is nice software that I've used before on Linux, but compiling for OS X seems a little complex, e.g. very specific versions of libraries must be used, etc.
>

If I were going the APCUPSd route, I'd just use the pre-built .dmg here.

>
Do the above products work with an out-of-the-box SMT**00? The change from RS232 cabling was accompanied by a note that the communication protocols had changed a bit, and certain older protocols would not be supported any longer without an expansion card.
>

While APCUPSd will not work over RS232, it should work over USB... and Macs have never been burdened by RS232 ports anyways (thank Woz for ADB!).

A separate issue is that the SMT series are brand new, and I'm not sure how well APCUPSd supports it. You could probably ask them. Or take the conservative approach of buying the older model of SmartUPS until things mature.

In a way though, the built-in LCD display of SMT series UPSes makes PowerChute far less relevant. As long as you have OS shutdown handled, you can do all the configuration and control of the UPS through the LCD display.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

This reply was originally posted by Laurie on APC forums on 3/22/2010

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A separate issue is that the SMT series are brand new, and I'm not sure how well APCUPSd supports it. You could probably ask them. Or take the conservative approach of buying the older model of SmartUPS until things mature.

That's right, as far as I know, apcupsd does NOT have the info on the new comm protocol utilized by the new SMT models. Although I've heard rumor of an accessory that will convert the new comm to the old method so it will work....