PCNS 4.2 With ESXi and Windows Servers + appliances

[BillP]

Hi

I have several sites with various mixes of ESXi, MS Windows and an SAN appliance requiring scripted shutdown.  For a UPS that powers both ESXi servers (controlled by Central PCNS on dedicated MS Windows server, integrated with vCenter) and MS Windows servers (each with it's own PCNS installed, no Hyper-v / SCVMM) what are the considerations for this mixed environment? 

There are SAN appliances (requiring scripted shutdown) at sites with 

A) only ESXi servers;

B) only MS Windows Servers and;

C) neither ESXi nor MS Windows servers

I would prefer a consistent method to script shutdown the appliances and that needs to happen after the servers have shutdown.  How best to do this?

Or can I do the whole lot in a single method?

Thanks 

[BillP]

Hi,

On 12/13/2017 11:50 PM, Ed said:

I have several sites with various mixes of ESXi, MS Windows and an SAN appliance requiring scripted shutdown.  For a UPS that powers both ESXi servers (controlled by Central PCNS on dedicated MS Windows server, integrated with vCenter) and MS Windows servers (each with it's own PCNS installed, no Hyper-v / SCVMM) what are the considerations for this mixed environment? 

Your option are for the sites that have both Windows and ESXi you can install PCNS on the Windows server and configure to power down the ESXi host/s using vCenter or without vCenter. Another option is to install PCNS on the Windows servers and install the PCNS appliance on the host and configure fo single host or through vCenter. 

You should review Application Note 180, PowerChute Network Shutdown VMware User's Guide, and the Installation Guide.  

For the Windows server that are not paired with an ESXi host you should install on the individual server. 

For sites that only have ESXi you can install the PCNS appliance and again using vCenter or without vCenter.

For sites that do not run a compatible OS you will need to install PCNS on a compatible OS and script it to power down the SAN. Or you could configure PCNS at one of the other sites as Advanced and configure each UPS as needed. See Application Note 186

If you need assistance with a specific configuration you contact local technical support. They will assist you and or recommend a local specialist that can.

[BillP]

Thanks Bill

Another clarification to you or anyone else who has the knowledge or can offer a guess

For the site that has only 1 SAN appliance, can I add that UPS to the PCNS for VMware running on a Windows Server in another site (cust wants to run the VMware PCNS on a Windows server rather than as an appliance) and have it still run the script to shutdown the remote SAN appliance on remote UPS event, i.e. there are no ESXi or Windows servers at this site, it's just the SAN appliance connected to a UPS.

If not, we'll have to put a supported OS at the site

Thanks for you prompt previous response.  I hope you can clarify this question

[BillP]

Hi,

You can install PCNS on Windows at one site and have it control a UPS connected to a storage device at another as outlined in Application Note 186. 

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Thanks Bill