PCNS 4.4.1 ESXi 6 with AP9617

[stevendt]

I want to configure a VMWare ESXi 6 installation to shutdown on demand from a SmartUPS 3000 with AP9617 NMC. The release notes for PCNS 4.4.1 says that the requirements are . . . 

"A UPS with a Smart Slot and a Network Management Card 2 (part number AP9630,
AP9631, AP9635) with a firmware version of 5.0.3 or later, a Network Management
Card 3 (part number AP9640, AP9641) with a firmware version of 1.1.0.16 or later, or a
Symmetra PX2 (which has an internal Network Management Card, OG-9354)."

And also, unsurprisingly, that "PowerChute Network Shutdown cannot be used with PowerNet SNMP Adapters (cards).
If your card has a part number of AP9605, AP9606, AP9205, or AP9603, it is not
compatible with PowerChute Network Shutdown."

However, no mention is made of the AP9617, can anyone advise whether my AP9617 cards can be configured to shutdown an ESXI 6.0U3 host ?

regards

Dave

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hi,

VMware ESXi 6.0 U3 is an unsupported OS with PCNS 4.4.1. The last version of PCNS to support ESXi 6.0 U3 was PCNS 4.2 and that has been discontinued for ESXi.

If you would like to download PCNS 4.2 for ESXi 6.0 U3 here is a link but please note SE support has ended.

https://schneider-electric.box.com/s/gzqkvq2dp6jhughkvitt6u4xvtir6bne

[stevendt]

Hi Bill,

Happy New Year! - Thanks for taking the time to reply.

Just prior to the holidays, I set up a test machine and loaded Version 4.4.1 to it. The install seems to have gone OK and the server is "talking" to the UPS and configured as a Client for shutdown. I have not actually tried it in anger yet though to see that it correctly shuts down on command (I didn't want to impact the other machines on the UPS) but given that the configuration seems to have gone OK, I would be quite confident.

Thanks for your pointer to the last supported version for ESXI6 U3 (4.2). I am in two minds now as to whether to revert to 4.2 which is not under SE support now either, or to stick with the unsupported 4.4.1. I realize that you would likely always recommend the last supported version, but are you aware of any known issues that should give me cause for concern with sticking with 4.4.1?

regards

Dave

[BillP]

@stevendt 

I ran an unofficial shutdown test with PCNS 4.4.1 VM on ESXi 6.0 U2 (I could not find a copy of 6.0 U3). The host powered off as expected when PCNS commanded it to. 

Your configuration will work but remains unsupported by SE. 

[stevendt · Accepted solution]

Hi Bill,

thanks very much for making the effort to do this, it is REALLY appreciated! 

I had hoped that you might be able to respond with an opinion based on your knowledge and experience, but taking the time to setup a test for a legacy system is much more than I could have hoped for and is a fantastic level of support.

I fully understand the "unsupported" status of the combination that I am running and the "unofficial " nature of the test, but I am very happy 🙂

regards

Dave