Powerchute network problem

[alecwood_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 9/2/2013

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Hi All,

Delivered today a 3000VA UPS and an extra battery pack, SUA3000RMXLI3U & SUA48RMXLBP3U

I need the following function

On power out all servers shutdown EXCEPT the one the UPS is connected to.

On low battery shutdown last server.

From the documentation I understand that what I need to do is as follows.

Connect the UPS to the server that doesn't shut down on power out with a USB cable - let's call this server MASTER

Install the latest version of PCBE onto this server (MASTER)

Install the PowerChute server on MASTER

Install the PowerChute clients on all the other servers

Open the PowerChute console and add all the other servers to the config then make profiles for each

I get the same kind of configuration profile not saved error that's reported all over these forums. So, I have two questions

1. Am I on the right track or do I need to get a network card for the UPS? If so, do I need the newest variant, or will the older one (AP9619) do the job adequately for my purposes. Having just shelled out for these two boxes I am under a bit of budgetary pressure

2. If it should work without the network, and the comms work ok between machines, and the services are all running, and there are no firewalls, is there a way I can test the clients?

Really could do with some help files for those of us who are new to this

Alec

[BillP · Accepted solution]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 9/3/2013

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I think the part that you're missing is on all of your clients need to be physically connected to the UPS somehow. What I read above indicates you only have one single USB connection between your "master" and the UPS. The others need to be connected with a simple signaling serial cable and you'd need an added accessory called a Share UPS or interface expander SmartSlot card with additional simple signaling ports to facilitate the other serial ports on the UPS. It cannot be done over USB.

This can get expensive so yes, I'd recommend you just use the AP9619 and use PowerChute Network Shutdown as long as you have supported operating systems. Here is the latest version of the PowerChute Network Shutdown compatibility chart to verify -> http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/SJHN-7AYQNP/SJHN-7AYQNP_R44_EN.pdf

In summary:

1.) Yes, you can use AP9619 (or AP9617 or AP9618) and this is the easiest solution for gracefully shutting down multiple clients from one UPS these days. Please be advised that since AP9619 is discontinued it will not be getting any updates for new features, etc but it will support what you're trying to do here.

2.) There is no "test" feature really...yet. You can see if everything is communicating properly as you said but you'd need to simulate a power failure on the UPS for the true test by tripping a breaker or somehow removing AC power to ensure all of your delays work as expected.

[alecwood_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 9/4/2013

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Thanks, it looks like the issue us the JRE - the compatibility chart pointed the way