Monitoring environmental events and UPS to shutdown multiple servers automatically

[Anonymous user]

Hi,

I'm looking for a possibility to shutdown multiple Windows and Linux servers (~15) in case of power loss and/or environmental events e.g. high temperature or smoke.

The servers are located in 4 racks and connected to multiple USVs where the newest one is a SMT3000RMI2U (free management slot). So far I considered two options:

1.) Netbotz (e.g. 200) with temperature sensors (and smoke sensor ???). However there remain some unanswered questions. What happens at a power loss event? How are the Netbotz and UPS connected? Which software is responsible for server shutdown? When a power loss occurs which device triggers the shutdown procedure, the Netbotz or UPS and which one in the case of an environmental event? 

2.) AP9631 with two temperature sensors. In case of power loss the UPS can trigger the servers to shutdown using the APC network shutdown software. In case of high temperature the managment card can trigger the servers shutdown using also the network shutdown software (AFAIK???).  Disadvantage is the limited number of sensors and I don't know if a smoke sensor will work using the AP9631? Can the network shutdown software switch off all servers or is the number limited?

So, what would be the best practice in this context?

Best regards

Matthias

[BillP · Accepted solution]

There is no built in communication between NetBotz products and UPS Management Cards. Anything you do with a NetBotz will need to be configured or scripted by you.

Speaking about the AP9631 itself, yes, PowerChute Network Shutdown can shutdown a server based on a temperature or humidity alarm on the support sensors you can connect (but it cannot distinguish between high/max/low, etc) and will just shutdown on any violation reached. This is an event you configure on the PowerChute Network Shutdown software and then you just enable alarm notifications on the AP9631. AP9631 only supports AP9335T/TH temp or temp humidity sensors. You cannot connect the smoke sensor. We have some detail on Network Management Card and PCNS environmental shutdowns here -> http://www.apc.com/support/index?page=content&country=ITB〈=en&locale=en_US&id=FA156076 

On how PowerChute Network Shutdown works and any limits in quantity of clients, take a look here -> www.apc.com/whitepaper/?an=101 

I am not too familiar with NetBotz 200 but I do believe it has dry contacts. One option might be getting the AP9810 dry contact accessory for the AP9631 so that you could wire the output on the NetBotz 200 to the input on the AP9810 accessory connected to the AP9631 in order to trigger a graceful shutdown on the UPS which would then trigger PowerChute Network Shutdown to shutdown.