Powerchute PCNS 4.2 after a vCenter upgrade to 6.7

[BillP]

I recently upgraded/migrated from a vCenter 6.5 (Windows) to a vCenter Server Appliance 6.7, and we have been using the Powerchute Network Shutdown Appliance 4.2 since the VMware infrastructure was installed.

I haven't been able to find any information on the VMware or APC side if PCNS 4.2 and vCenter 6.7 are compatible. But from what I can tell there isn't a newer version anyway. Will there be any compatibility issues?

Since doing the VCSA upgrade I have:

- Re-registered the Powerchute Plugin and UPS Critical Event extenstions within the vCenter Managed Object Browser (I wasn't 100% sure this needed doing although I saw mention of it a few times).

- Logged onto the PCNS web interface on local host -> Communication Settings I unchecked the PowerChute vSphere Web Client Plug-in box and applied it. I then rechecked it and applied it. At this point i could see the plug-in was available in the vSphere Web client.

- I then went into local host -> Host Protection and I removed all of the hosts and applied it. I then added all the hosts and applied it. Note by this time I had also upgraded one of the 4 x ESXi hosts to 6.7 whereas the rest are still 6.0. All hosts appear to be protected and the ESXi host on which PCNS resides is indicated by the Powerchute icon.

Now my unease at this point is how do I know its working? Ideally I want to do a limited test on a single host with test VMs, but I can't see anyway to it from within the Powerchute Web interface, and I don't see any option within the vCenter Web client. Is it possible to do a limited test as the VMware infrastructure is live? If so how do i do it?

Also when I do any subsequent host upgrades is it a case of removing them from host protection prior to an upgrade, perform the ESXi upgrade, and the re-add the host in host protection?

Is there anything else that I need to do since this vCenter 6.7 upgrade?

Thanks in advance.

[BillP]

Hi Simon

As pr. the latest compatibility chart, 6.7 is supported -> http://www.apc.com/salestools/SJHN-7AYQNP/SJHN-7AYQNP_R84_EN.pdf

BR

/Tonny

[BillP]

On 9/26/2018 7:08 PM, Tonny said:

Hi Simon

As pr. the latest compatibility chart, 6.7 is supported -> http://www.apc.com/salestools/SJHN-7AYQNP/SJHN-7AYQNP_R84_EN.pdf

BR

/Tonny

Thanks Tonny that has answered one question.

Anyone out there have any ideas out there on how to run test shutdowns on hosts/VMs?

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hi,

You can test the shutdown using the NMC. What model is the UPS and what model and firmware in the NMC. I will provide instruction once I know that information.

NOTE: There is no simulated shutdown. The UPS and all connected systems will be powered down.