PowerChute.. using the same name for all the kids

[BillP]

I'm having trouble to identify what is the function and what differences are between the different Powerchute versions. It seems APC marketing gurus decided to baptize different software with the same name and no clear distinction about its operation and functions.

Can some one please tell me briefly which are the differences between this software:

Powerchute Bussines Edition PCBE
Powerchute Personal Edition PCPE
Powerchute Plus
Powerchute Network Shutdown

Important: Please tell what UPS model lines are expected to use each PC version.

Thanks.

[BillP]

I'm having trouble to identify what is the function and what differences are between the different Powerchute versions. It seems APC marketing gurus decided to baptize different software with the same name and no clear distinction about its operation and functions.

Can some one please tell me briefly which are the differences between this software:

Powerchute Bussines Edition PCBE
Powerchute Personal Edition PCPE
Powerchute Plus
Powerchute Network Shutdown

Important: Please tell what UPS model lines are expected to use each PC version.

Thanks.

[Erasmus_apc · Accepted solution]

PowerChute Plus is the equivalent of the single node agent of PowerChute Business Edition, but much older and is discontinued. It is a single-UPS monitoring software that used a serial cable for communication to the attached PC.

PowerChute Business Edition is also a serial (or USB) direct connect software option. You can use the single node agent to directly monitor one server through a web browser interface, or you can use the "Deluxe" version to monitor multiple PCBE agents on a network using the PCBE console/server applications. Each of these single agents does, however, need a serial cable to be attached to their respective servers for UPS communication. PCBE single node is free, but the Deluxe has a price attached to it depending on the maximum number of devices the SKU allows. PCBE has more monitoring and UPS control functionality than PCPE or PC Plus.

PowerChute Personal is a single-UPS agent that is used only with Back-UPS products. It requires a USB connection for communication, and is not accessible over the network (without using a remote desktop connection, of course).

PowerChute Network Shutdown does not provide any UPS control or UPS event/data logging, since it communicates with the Network Card inside the UPS it 'points' to over the network. The Network Card (NMC) handles all UPS control, logging, etc. PCNS can be used to shut down clients over the network, requiring no serial cables or USB cables. It can be used to shut down up to 50 computers on one network segment, or using its broadcast ability with other PCNS clients, many, many more computers on the same or different segments (this is a more advanced solution but not hard to implement).

I believe you can see some of these offerings yourself at [testdrive.apc.com|testdrive.apc.com]