PowerCute Network Client Installation

[Anonymous user]

Hi Everyone,

I have 2x SU3000RMXL3U and each has three external batteries connected. My servers have two power supplies and I created a rundundant system by connecting one power supply to UPS1 and the other power supply to UPS2.

When I install the PowerChute Network Client on each server I noticed a setting called "Shutdown UPS after server shutdown" and I was wondering if this option would force the UPS to shutdown and cause a race condition with other servers?

For instance, server A takes 5 min to shutdown while Server B takes 2 minutes to shutdown. With the option set on the network client will it cause the UPS to power off before Server A shuts down?

Thanks,
D

[Anonymous user]

Early in the install process it asks you to choose a 'custom' install or a 'typical' install. Its presented as two buttons on the screen, and you need to choose one in order to continue.

[Anonymous user]

Hi Everyone,

I have 2x SU3000RMXL3U and each has three external batteries connected. My servers have two power supplies and I created a rundundant system by connecting one power supply to UPS1 and the other power supply to UPS2.

When I install the PowerChute Network Client on each server I noticed a setting called "Shutdown UPS after server shutdown" and I was wondering if this option would force the UPS to shutdown and cause a race condition with other servers?

For instance, server A takes 5 min to shutdown while Server B takes 2 minutes to shutdown. With the option set on the network client will it cause the UPS to power off before Server A shuts down?

Thanks,
D

[Anonymous user]

Thank you for your post. Where may I find this custom installer option?

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

It should not cause a race condition like you were describing. When PowerChute Network shutdown is installed, the client registers itself with the Network Management Card (NMC) inside the UPS. The NMC then keeps track of what the longest required shutdown time is for all the registered servers, and will make sure the UPS allows atleast that much time before it shuts off during a graceful shutdown.

However, if you had your shutdown times staggered so that Server A shuts down after 10 minutes, and Server B shutsdown after 30 monites of battery, you would not want the check box marked on the Server a PowerChute configuration. This would cause the UPS to signal all connected servers to start shutting down immediately, and Server B would end up shutting down earlier than you had planned. Only the last server in a PowerChute staggered shutdown configuration should have the box checked.

The purpose of the check box is so that after a shutdown, the UPS will cut all output power and wait for utility power to return (sleep mode). Once it returns, the UPS will 'wake up' and start outputting power to your load again. Most computers can be configured in their BIOS to recognize that the incoming power is back on, and boot up automatically.

Also, there is a custom install option for PowerChute Network Shutdown that configures PowerChute to monitor both UPSs in a redundant configuration like yours. I'm not sure if you are using that option or not. If not, you will need to uninstall the PowerChute, and reinstall it with the custom redundant configuration options.

[Anonymous user]

Hi DirtFoot,

Thank you for your very informative post. I didn't see the custom install when I was loading PCNS. I am now confident that the UPS is configured accurately. Could you please provide me with any other pieces of information to ensure my NMC is configured for my "redundant" setup?

Thank you,
D

[Anonymous user]

I was gratified to find that others had the same problem with instructions documentation for new APC Smart-UPS units and the Network Management Card. There just doesn’t seem to be any documentation that tells you how to set up an extremely basic “graceful shutdown” situation for one UPS and five windows servers. I THINK that I am set up correctly, but I’m not sure.

It took about four hours to find the warning not to use the management card and PowerChute Business. I’d forgotten that “just because they send it doesn’t mean you use it.”
So I loaded the PCNS instead, and then only one more day to finally find that you configure the PCNS on each server, and of course on my server I went for
TPN User Interface / servername / Configure Events / UPS: On Battery / Shut Down System / Yes 120 / Apply

But I’d like to see something that tells me the step-by-step, and even a nice overview would be handy. Right now I’ve tested pulling the building power, and it works, but I’m anxious about low battery as well, and flailing away instead of proceeding with confidence.
Is there any documentation on actually using the UPS and management card? The setting up doc explains how to do it in seven different OS flavors, but as for actually using the equipment, I can’t find anything that tells me the steps. If you point it out to me, I’ll read it and do it.
Thanks.