Old PowerChute Business Edition Agent Interface? Please Help

[BillP]

We recently bought a Smart-UPS RT 1500 from a reseller in Trinidad and Tobago. I need to run a Shutdown script, but when i install the PowerChute Business Edition Agent I seem to get an old interface that is both difficult to configure and does not have the TEST button option for the script. I downloaded the 9.2 version which seems to be the newest on the APC site, but it makes no difference I still have the old blue interface rather than the newer green interface with the added functionality. I have included two snapshots of each. Can anyone help?

[BillP]

Hi Dexter,

Right this second I cannot find where it is documented but I do know that the PowerChute Business Edition (PCBE) Agent version/interface you see and gets installed is dependant on the UPS model type. PCBE detects what type/model of UPS that you have upon installing and then installs the correct agent version for it. The older style/type of UPSs get an older version of the agent and newer UPSs get the green and white agent interface. Smart-UPS RT (with the model SKU prefix SURT) are older style UPSs so that is why you get the older agent version. The Smart-UPS 750 you have in the screenshot is ikely is a model type SMT or SMX so it is supported by the newer style agent.

I think the older Agent is v9.0 or 9.1 and the new agent is 9.2 if you check the version numbers.

[BillP]

Angela,

Thank you very much. Even though it is a brand new UPS it is actually the older model a SURTA1500XL. I was thinking along those lines, but I said that I had to be retarded. That is just sad.  One would think developers for a UPS as popular as APC could do better than that.

Thank you very much. Now, I guess I would have to look at some alternate solution.  Would you happen to know if the PowerChute Personal Edition can run scripts?

[Brad_C]

Just as a complete alternative, apcupsd can run scripts.

[BillP]

Hi Dexter,

I can't and don't disagree with what you said, believe me!

PowerChute Personal Edition can't do scripts and furthermore, it only supports Back-UPS products over USB. You can't use it with SURTA UPS models.

I was under the impression that the older version of PCBE Agent could execute scripts though... I'll have to defer to our PowerChute Expert Bill here on the forum for guidance.

Edit - I asked Bill and the older agent is 9.0.3 and apparently does not have the test script option.

[BillP]

Thanks Brad.  Found a hack somewhere on this forum last night that allowed me to run scripts from another client PC using a Backup UPS Pro 700 and the PowerChute Personal Edition.  It does exactly what I want, but the only thing is the up-time on the smaller unit makes my Host Servers shut down earlier than I wanted to.  

I do not want install any APC software on my host Servers and was connecting a  PC to the Smart UPS 1500 RT (SURTA).  But, the interface is greek and got tired of experimenting with different settings to get the script to run, as well as the UPS to stay up when power came back.  Once the shutdown sequence was initiated it would shut down the UPS as well even though I plugged it back in. I would definitely take a look at your recommendation. Thanks.

[BillP]

Angela,

Thanks for the response, but the TEST button is not showing up on the Agent in the Configure Server Shutdown Sequence regardless of how many times I un-install and re-install and update, etc.  The only time I see the TEST option is in the Console view and the entire software seems clunky and buggy.

I do not want install any APC software on my host Servers and was connecting a PC to the Smart UPS 1500 RT (SURTA).  But, the terms used in the interface is like Greek and got tired of experimenting with different settings to get the script to run, as well as the UPS to stay up when power came back.  Once the shutdown sequence was initiated it would shut down the UPS as well even though I plugged it back in. The newer interface is so much more intuitive.

I found a hack somewhere on this forum last night that allowed me to run scripts from another Client PC using a Backup UPS Pro 700 and the PowerChute Personal Edition.  It does exactly what I want, but the only thing is the up-time on the smaller unit makes my Host Servers shut down earlier than I wanted to.  

Thanks so much for your interest and quick response. I like this forum. Never expected any real input. It was wonderful to wakeup to.  Thanks again.

[BillP]

APCUPSD looks fantastic. I am switching out an older Smart UPS 1500VA (SUA1500RM2U) which supports two PowerEdge Hosts to replace it with a newer Smart UPS RT 1500VA (SURTA1500XL).  I was performing all the tests with the newer UPS before implementing.   But with APCUPSD, Im sure that i can take the older one and do whatever.  The up-time on that just attached to a single PC would be great.  It looks like a lot of reading and experimenting, but I think it will be the answer. Thank you.

[BillP]

Hi Dexter - you're welcome. Sorry I don't have better answers or help for you. Hope APCUPSD works well for you. It has a very nice support community as well for guidance and help in using the software.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Brad,

I installed APCUPSD and I got it to see my UPS, via USB cable, etc.  I have read the manual and looked at the apccontrol.bat and apcupsd.conf file.  I understand some of it but do not know where to put my basic script using PSSHUTDOWN to run.  I understand that I have to copy the PSSHUTDOWN application to the appropriate directory, etc. But I am not versed in VB script, just simple Windows batch files. Is there anywhere I can find sample batch files that one would use to say, shutdwon a database? I am this close to resolving my problem. But just need an example.  Thanks.