Powerchute Business: Shut down attached server but keep UPS On

[Anonymous user]

My UPS currently runs both a Server and a telephone system. When we get a lengthy power failure I'd rather the server shut itself down and allowed the UPS to run the phone system for as long as possible.

Is it possible to configure powerchute business agent to shut down its host server, but keep the Smart-UPS running until its battery is exhausted?

[BillP]

I don't use PCBE but the following might apply to your situation:

I'm not sure about your particular server, but I have one in my system that monitors the status of the connected UPS.  I can configure my server to gracefully shut itself down if the UPS detects a power failure and issues the message via the network management card.  The UPS would then continue happily along until the battery is exhausted.

[Anonymous user]

Thanks Joe. I'll try and play about with the server during the next maintenance window and see if my current config does what I expect it to. If not, I may have to use the built-in windows server power management tools to shut down the server and use PCBE as UPS monitoring only.

[BillP]

No worries.  Bill or Angela will be able to give you the definitive answer to your question regarding PCBE.  Good luck!

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hi,

You cannot use native shutdown and PCBE simultaneously. With PCBE the UPS is command down by design. The reason is most people want the computer to power back up automatically when AC is restored. Since the computer is off PCBE cannot restart it. To get the system to restart the BIOS is set to always on so when AC is restored the system restart. The draw back is AC has to be cut first so the UPS is commanded down. If AC is restored while the system is powering down the system completes the shut down, the UPS waits approximately 2 minutes, cuts power to the outlets and then restores power to the outlet which causes the system to restart. 

Your options with a SUA is to un-install PCBE and install APCUPSD. That application allow the UPS to either power down or not. PCBE does not have that option.