PowerChute Client 3.0.1a shuts servers down - no power event from UPS logged

[BillP]

Hi

I have a smart-ups RT3000 on a client site.  All servers have PowerChute Network Shutdown client version 3.0.1a (says latest version installed)  on Friday at 11.45pm the PowerChute client sent a shutdown command to all servers.  The UPS did not email any power events and nothing is logged.  Checking the PCNS event log I see the following:

05/28/2013 14:52 UPS has switched to battery power

05/28/2013 14:52 Input power has been restored:  UPS has switched to On Line operation

05/31/2013 23:44 Available runtime has exceeded

05/31/2013 23:44 Shutdown process started.  Windows  will shutdown soon.

APC model:  AP9631

Hardware revision: 05

Application Module

Name:     sumx

Version:     v5.1.3

APC OS

Name:     aos

Version:     v5.1.3

APC Boot Monitor

Name:     bootman

Version:     v1.0.1

Any help someone can give would be greatful.

Thanks

[BillP]

Hi,

You should check the PCNS configuration. The log indicates the shutdown was started due to Available Runtime being exceeded. If you don't want the systems shutdown for this event you can deselect it.

[BillP]

Hi Bill P.

Thanks for your response.  I have no issues with the servers being shutdown if there are power issues.  My problem being is that there were no power issues on Friday, the UPS did not run from battery at all so why would the client think that the available runtime is exceeded as it had full power. There is nothing logged on the UPS to say it even switched over to battery at all on the 31st.

This is my concern, why did PCNS shutdown my servers when there were no issues?

Thanks

[BillP · Accepted solution]

PCNS started the shutdown because of the low runtime issue at 23:44

05/31/2013 23:44 Available runtime has exceeded

05/31/2013 23:44 Shutdown process started.  Windows  will shutdown soon.

Low runtime can be caused by low battery or by misconfiguration. Below is from the help file

Available runtime has been exceeded

The UPS does not have the runtime available that is configured in PowerChute Network Shutdown. Two configuration conditions can cause this event: When the command file time on the Configure Shutdown page plus 10 seconds is greater than the Low Battery Duration field value. (A low battery condition always causes a shutdown, so when it occurs the UPS must have enough time available to complete shutdown activities). To fix this, either decrease the command file time, or increase the Low Battery Duration value. (To change the Low Battery Duration, on the Network Management Card user interface select the UPS tab and Configuration - shutdown). When the UPS runtime is less than the sum of the shutdown delay time configured for the UPS: On Battery event plus the command file time on the Configure Shutdown page, minus two minutes. This condition can be caused by having too much load on the UPS, or by the UPS batteries not being fully charged. If the UPS batteries are fully charged, to fix this a) remove some equipment from the UPS, or b) decrease the shutdown delay time for the UPS: On Battery event, or c) decrease the command file execution time on the Configure Shutdown page. This event is always logged and, on a Redundant-UPS configuration, event actions are carried out even if it occurs on only one Network Management Card.

Hope this info helps.