PowerChute feature request: communicate with PowerChute installed on other computers.

[BillP]

To APC,

If you find this thread was posted in wrong section, you can move it to the right section.

I hope that PowerChute's development team can implement the following feature:

PowerChute software installed on multiple computers or servers can communicate with each other. In case that one UPS system (e.g. APC Smart UPS) powering multiple computers or servers, PowerChute is installed on all computers and servers, but only one computer or server is connected to the UPS through USB or serial cable, and the UPS has no Network Management Card, then on the server or computer which is connected to the UPS through USB or serial cable, the installed PowerChute software will communicate with PowerChute software installed on other servers or computers, send notification about the battery status, events received from the UPS, etc, and tell the PowerChute installed on other computers or servers to do system shutdown when power failure occurred and low runtime remaining.

[BillP]

Jason,

Thank you for the feedback. WE offer 3 versions of PowerChute. Each has its own features and benefits. What you are  requesting is available via PowerChute Network Shutdown with a NMC installed in the UPS (as you noted). Other options are to install PowerChute Business Edition and purchase a  serial port expander for the UPS. Then attach the  additional server serially.  Another option is to run  APCUPSD instead of PowerChute and configure that application in a host - client configuration. With APCUPSD the host can be attached to the UPS via serial or USB and it will post info to the clients.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Your software development team should include the client-server (like the one in APCUPSD) in PowerChute, send notification to the PowerChute client installed on other servers/computers.