PowerChute Network Shutdown - What I'm doing wrong?

[kirop_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 5/24/2017

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Hello everybody,

I have troubles with the proper configuration of the network shutdown.

Summary:

1 Smart-UPS 1000

1 single host with ESXi 6.0.0

2 Virtual Windows Server 2012 R2

1 Virtual PowerChute Network shutdown from here: http://www.apc.com/us/en/tools/download/index.cfm

apc user is administrator and set in the ESXi.

Startup/Shutdown by the VMs is set to Shutdown Guests with 60 seconds delay.

the UPS is connected with the Virtual PowerChute network shutdown.

And still by tests with power down the servers didn't shutdown properly. Every time there is an error about Kernel Power (Event ID 41) and "computer didn't shutdown properly".

What I'm doing wrong?

I'm not sure also how exactly the process is running. For example in case of power down what is the sequence?

UPS -> Management Card -> VM Network Shutdown -> ESXi -> VMs

or

UPS -> Management Card -> VM Network Shutdown -> UPS -> ESXi -> VMs 

the current settings are:

by PowerChute Network Shutdown:

Shutdown settings - Turn off the UPS

Configure Events - Shutdown by Runtime exceeded

PowerChute Network Shutdown -> UPS Configuration -> Powerchute Agents -> VM PowerChute

by the UPS:

Shutdown: 8 minutes

Shutdown delay: 360 seconds

PowerChute configuration: Maximum required Delay 8 minutes

PowerChute clients: VM Powerchute

When I have PowerChute section on the UPS, do I really need the VM Network shutdown? Should I actually add as a client the ESXi instead of the VM PowerChute Network shutdown?

Thanks in advance

Edit:

remaining time on the UPS shows 28 minutes. This should be sufficient because we don't have longer than 10 minutes powerdowns.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Bill on APC forums on 5/25/2017

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Hi,

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

PowerChute Network Shutdown version 4.2 offers 3 installation options when dealing with VMware ESXi. You can install on a Windows server (not a VM must be a physical server), you can install PowerChute on VMware vMA, or you can install PowerChute Network Shutdown virtual appliance. each of these option allow you to configure PCNS to shutdown a single ESXi host or work with VMware vCenter Server to power down multiple hosts. 

the shutdown process for a single ESXi host is

1. NMC reports that the UPS is on battery.
2. Shutdown delay for the On Battery event elapses.
3. PowerChute sends power down signal to ESXi host and if configured to do so will send power down signal to UPS
4. ESXi host commands the VMs down based on the settings in Virtual Machine Startup/Shutdown See Schneider Electric FAQ FA159688
5. ESXi host powers down

NOTE: PowerChute can only power down a ESXi host that has a VMware Standard, Enterprise, Enterprise Plus License. It cannot power down a system that is running on the free VMware license. 

[kirop_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 5/29/2017

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Hi Bill,

thank you for your answer but it is still unclear to me. I've checked the links and documentation from you but there is not much information about single esxi host and settings. I've already installed the Virtual solution (you could see it in my description)

For example:

which agent should be in the list of PowerChute Network Shutdown - the Virtual Appliance or the ESXi host

is the time which I've set already is enough or proper set?

when I have already in NMC a powerchute settings do I need an additional Virtual Appliance or physical computer.

which "client" should I set there - the esxi or the ups?

thanks in advance

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Bill on APC forums on 5/30/2017

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Hi,

On 5/29/2017 5:44 AM, Boris said:

which agent should be in the list of PowerChute Network Shutdown - the Virtual Appliance or the ESXi host

When runnning PowerChute Setup you should enter the ip address or host name of the ESXi host to be shutdown.

On 5/29/2017 5:44 AM, Boris said:

is the time which I've set already is enough or proper set?

I cannot say because I do not know how much time your VMs need to power down. My recommendation is not to use Runtime Exceeded as the shut down. I suggest configuring Runtime Remaining Below Threshold and set that to 720 seconds (12 minutes). This way when the UPS falls below 12 minutes of available runtime the shutdown process will be started. This recommendation is based on you writing that the system does not need greater that 10 minutes to power down. I added an extra 2 minutes for saftey. 

On 5/29/2017 5:44 AM, Boris said:

when I have already in NMC a powerchute settings do I need an additional Virtual Appliance or physical computer.

which "client" should I set there - the esxi or the ups?

The PowerChute client display on the NMC should be the IP address of the PowerChute appliance you installed on the ESXi host. 

In the example above my PowerChute Appliance has been added as 10.218.45.248 and is associated with Outlet Group 3 on a SMX1500. 

[kirop_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 6/1/2017

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Hi Bill,

I've checked my configuration and made the change for the threshold. I've made also a couple of screenshots to show you.

here in the screenshots 10.6.170.10 is the IP of the NMC and 10.6.168.11 the Virtual Appliance.

Unfortunately I can't see "PowerChute Network Shutdown Clients Configuration" by me in the menu.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Bill on APC forums on 6/1/2017

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Hi,

On 6/1/2017 8:42 AM, Boris said:

Unfortunately I can't see "PowerChute Network Shutdown Clients Configuration" by me in the menu.

What menu are you referring to? the PowerChute Network Shutdown Client configuration is accessed at https://10.6.168.11:6547 it is not access through the NMC. The NMC only list the PCNS clients that have been registered with it. 

[kirop_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 6/1/2017

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Exactly, that's why I posted the screenshot from the menu by Virtual Appliance (https://10.6.168.11:6547)

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Bill on APC forums on 6/1/2017

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Hi,

I sorry but I do not understand. What are your expectations and what do you think is missing?

[kirop_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 6/1/2017

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I think that by me is missing in the Virtual appliance this menu "PowerChute Network Shutdown Clients Configuration"

[kirop_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 6/9/2017

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Hi Bill,

do you know why this menu could me missing by me? Is it a problem of the PowerChute Virtual Appliance version or it could be something else?

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Bill on APC forums on 6/9/2017

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Hi,

There is no PCNS Virtual Appliance Client Shutdown menu. The client shuts itself down after commanding the host to power down and start up when the host starts up. 

These are the menu options

and these are the shutdown settings

For assistance with VM shutdown and start up see Schneider Electric FAQ http://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/FA159688/

Also note that PCNS can only shutdown fully licensed versions of VMware ESXi host. The licenses that are acceptable are VMware Standard, Enterprise, Enterprise Plus http://www.vmware.com/products/vsphere/pricing

[kirop_apc · Accepted solution]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 6/14/2017

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ok, Bill. Thank you very much for the information and help.