PowerChute Business Edition and NMC...

[BillP]

Hello there.

Let me introduce some information : we have 4 UPS (1 SRT10KRMXLI, 2 SRT8KRMXLI and 1 SRT6KXLI).

Each of them has its own NMC card.

Unfortunately, only 2 UPS's are connected to a server, the 2 others provide power to switches and archive robots...

We would like to monitor all 4 UPS with a centralized console : therefore, we would go for PowerChute Business Edition

but, in the installation procedure it is mandatory to install PCBE agent on a server / computer attached to the UPS.

In our situation we have 2 UPS which are not attached to any computer...

What do you think about it ? Do we miss something in the configuration ?

Thanks a lot for your help

[BillP]

Hi,

Yes, if you have Network Management Cards in your UPSs, you should not be looking towards PowerChute Business Edition which requires a serial or USB connection to the UPS to work. PowerChute Business Edition and the Network Management Cards for UPSs are designed to do most of the same thing and should not be used at the same time.

For centralized monitoring of UPS Network Management Cards in devices, like your UPSs, what we offer is called StruxureWare Data Center Expert. It monitors the UPS Network Management Cards via SNMP and provides the centralized management console. It can also monitor third party SNMP devices.

Here is the link to the StruxureWare product page for you to take a look -> http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=350

If you have the capability to use the Virtual Machine version, there is a free trial to give a whirl first. I think you get 5 nodes for free so each Network Management Card (in each UPS) would be a node.

Hope that helps.

[BillP]

Thanks a lot for your quick answer.

What i was fearing occurs : no need to spend time en PCBE.

Please, could you advice on which StruxureWare product i should have a look to ?

I am getting lost between products / licences etc...

Any chance to find the price for each ?

Thanks again.

[BillP]

Hi Ali,

Pricing for this type of thing is best provided through your local support. I am not sure how it works based on region. And besides license nodes, the product requires support and can get complicated with what the total cost would be. I don't have the capability to investigate pricing unfortunately.

How many devices total to you plan on monitoring now and in the future? That will impact what product/licenses would be recommended to you. Also, there are a lot of resources on StruxureWare @ http://dcimsupport.apc.com so if you are interested in that product, they can likely guide you in further detail since they have a whole community dedicated to that product.

[BillP]

Thanks for the quick answers.

I am heading toward this solution : hope no surprise will come out of it.

[BillP]

Hello there.

I finally made it : I could install StruxureWare Data Center Expert virtual image.

I could open the web site as a console, but alas, I cannot find any of the UPS that are connected to

the equipment and to the network (through NMC cards).

Is there a way to scan those UPS's and add them easily ? thanks a lot for your answer.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hi Ali,

I don't know StruxureWare that well. I'd suggest for help using the Virtual Image that you inquire with http://dcimsupport.apc.com 's community. They support StruxureWare there and have a very supportive community.