Perhaps a total noob here?

[Anonymous user]

Hi. I have a SMT3000RM2UNC in a rack connected (from the APC Smart ConnectPort) to a Win2016 server through a switch. I am trying to install and connect PowerChute Business Edition v10, and it won't autodetect the UPS, and the only options appear to be COM1/2 and USB (no network option).

I can ping successfully ping the UPS from the server, so I was wondering can I not use a network connection for this? Am I missing something obvious here?

End state is to have the UPS shutdown the server in the event that it goes on battery.

Thanks in advance,

Byron

[BillP]

Hi Byron

You aren't the first to be confused by the Smartconnect port. It isn't an normal networking port, it is specifically for connecting to the APC Smartconnect portal for remote monitoring and receiving lifecycle notifications etc

Please see https://smartconnect.apc.com/welcome for more information.

Powerchute Business Edition uses serial comms via the USB or Serial port on the UPS.

Regards

Matt

[Anonymous user]

Thanks for the answer Matt - and while it seems a very curious choice to make (as in not use the network port to allow control of other rack devices) I guess there is some reason. Probably the same reason why Dell servers still use VGA ports for monitors.

Question (perhaps you can save me some time on this) - does this mean that the UPS can only shut down a device that is is connected to via USB? Or in the case where it is connected to the server (via USB), then the server can act as the agent to shut down other devices? I also have a FreeNAS box in the rack that I want to shut down (along with the server) when the power goes out.

Byron

[BillP]

Hi Byron

To use Powerchute Network shutdown, you would need a network management card installed in the smartslot.

An AP9630, Ap9631 or AP9635.

Regards

Matt

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Have you had any experience using (UPS with the network interface) and the PowerChute network shutdown client with FreeNAS (again over the network and not via RS232/USB)

Looking through the docs, adding this card is probably the missing piece I have been trying to sort out when I was trying to configure the shutdown client. So if I do buy one, then I should probably be able to get the server shutdown working. The next question is whether the same shutdown client (or if there is something similar) with FreeNAS (over the network). Or would I also have to use a USB/serial connection.

Byron