Powerchute Versions and Limitations

DBrenner_apc · ‎2021-06-28

Hi,

We want to purchase an APC Smart-UPS 3000VA and APC SMC1500IC 1500VA to drive several Servers.
In total these UPS's will be supporting about 3 Windows Server based Server's each. The UPS's will not have
the additional network cards installed. As such:

- Which version of Powerchute will be suitable? Business Edition? Business Deluxe Edition?
- Are all versions of Powerchute free to download and use?

Ideally, is there a comparison chart that let us see the difference's between each version of Powerchute?

Many thanks

Dave

BillP · ‎2021-06-28

Hi Dave,

I could probably talk for an hour on the differences between the versions of Powerchute but I'll keep it short, so this is in no way a full list of differences:

Powerchute Personal: Works with APC Back-UPS, Single computer, Windows 7/10 only, USB connection, features kept simple for easy of use, generally for home users

Powerchute Business: Works with Smart-UPS, Single computer/server single UPS, USB or Serial connection, Windows 7/10, Server 2008R2+, some Linux support, advanced features such as the ability to execute scripts, schedule shutdowns, Email and SNMP

Powerchute Network Shutdown: Works with all UPSs with NMC1/2/3/4, connects over the network, support for large range of O/S, support for virtual and hyper-convened environments, advanced features, supports single or multiple UPS connected to one or more servers

All versions are free in most countries.

For the setup you have with multiple server and multiple UPS I would recommend looking at adding NMC2/3s to your UPSs to get the most. The other option is to connect one server to the 1500 (for power and by USB) and use PCBE, then connect the other two to the 3000 for power, connect one by USB, install PCBE and create a script to shutdown the other unconnected server during an outage. It's no ideal and creating the script is up to you we don't provide scripts. Also you can really only connect the servers to one UPS or the other whereas if you had network cards you might be able to connect one PSU to one UPS and the second PSU to the other UPS and configure PCNS to make it all work together.

-Gavan

See Answer In Context

BillP · ‎2021-06-28

Hi Dave,

I could probably talk for an hour on the differences between the versions of Powerchute but I'll keep it short, so this is in no way a full list of differences:

Powerchute Personal: Works with APC Back-UPS, Single computer, Windows 7/10 only, USB connection, features kept simple for easy of use, generally for home users

Powerchute Business: Works with Smart-UPS, Single computer/server single UPS, USB or Serial connection, Windows 7/10, Server 2008R2+, some Linux support, advanced features such as the ability to execute scripts, schedule shutdowns, Email and SNMP

Powerchute Network Shutdown: Works with all UPSs with NMC1/2/3/4, connects over the network, support for large range of O/S, support for virtual and hyper-convened environments, advanced features, supports single or multiple UPS connected to one or more servers

All versions are free in most countries.

For the setup you have with multiple server and multiple UPS I would recommend looking at adding NMC2/3s to your UPSs to get the most. The other option is to connect one server to the 1500 (for power and by USB) and use PCBE, then connect the other two to the 3000 for power, connect one by USB, install PCBE and create a script to shutdown the other unconnected server during an outage. It's no ideal and creating the script is up to you we don't provide scripts. Also you can really only connect the servers to one UPS or the other whereas if you had network cards you might be able to connect one PSU to one UPS and the second PSU to the other UPS and configure PCNS to make it all work together.

-Gavan