Multiple Smart-UPSs, multiple servers

[Anonymous user]

I have a server room with 11 servers, 3 24-drive SAS RAID arrays, 2 SAS tape drives, and an assortment of small bits like switches, a small NAS box, a monitor, etc, all powered from 10 Smart-UPS 1500s--8 of the older LED type, and 2 of the newer LCD type. The servers run ESXi Hypervisor (3), Linux (2), and Windows Server 2008 (6). I'd like a solution that will let me do the following:

- Monitor all 10 UPSs with PowerChute.

- If there is a power failure and the generator fails to come online (or runs out of fuel), perform a proper shut down of the servers when the UPSs are running low.

- If at all possible, not have to buy any SmartSlot network management cards.

The servers are _not_ one-to-one server-to-UPS. The servers all have two power supplies, so those are split between two UPSs for redundancy--also, I have more servers than UPSs, and this will stay the same, as my UPSs run below 50% capacity, letting me add more servers without buying more UPSs. I was wondering it it's possible to use any version of PowerChute to do the following:

- Have 10 UPSs connected to one server with a large UPS hub, and install PowerChute on that server.

- During a power failure, when any one of the UPSs has 3 minutes left, issue a shutdown to _all_ the servers.

Thanks!

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately, I don't see a viable way to do do this without utilizing UPS Network Management Cards in some type of Redundant/multiple UPS setup Scenario. The only other option is to use a Share UPS with a bunch of serial cables all over the place directly connected between UPS/server and you cannot do that with servers with redundant power supplies. Only PowerChute Network Shutdown with a UPS Network Management Card can support a redundant/multiple UPS Scenario that I think you are looking for.

The PowerChute Network Shutdown help file has some good information and so does this document ->http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/BKIR-6R9NX5/BKIR-6R9NX5_R2_EN.pdf

Just my two cents though.