Question about PowerChute settings to allow enough time to power down host server

[Anonymous user]

Hi all,

I manage an APC Smart-UPS 3000 RM XL rackmount UPS and I have some questions about settings in PowerChute Business Edition, version 9.0.3.604.

Here's what currently happens during a long power outage:

- The power goes out
- A command file executes to alert me that the power has gone out
- A low battery condition occurs
- A command file is executed to run remote shutdown commands for five other servers in the same rack and then alert me that these other servers have been shut down
- These remote shutdowns complete successfully
- The software tells the host operating system to begin shutting down
- Before the operating system of the host system (the one PowerChute is installed on) can finish shutting down, the UPS cuts the power to all the outlets

Obviously, I'd like to be able to tweak my settings so that all of this stuff happens AND the host OS has time to shut down properly when the battery starts getting low during an extended power outage.

My current shutdown settings are as follows:

• Time Required for Shutdown Sequence - 2 minutes
• Low Battery Signal - 10 minutes
• Command File Enabled - No (all command files are triggered during the events listed in "Event Actions")
• OS Shutdown Duration - 3 Minutes
• OS Shutdown Type - Shutdown
• Enable OS Reboot - No
• Enable SMTP E-mail - No
• Enable Logging - Yes

I am not certain how "correct" these settings are, but we've been using them for a few years. It has only just recently come to my attention that all the other servers EXCEPT the host server is turning off correctly during a power outage.

Can anybody tell me which settings to adjust so that the host server has enough time to power off without affecting the remote shutdowns? And what are some possible configuration values for these settings given my current setup? I assumed I could change "OS Shutdown Duration," but my records show that host computer shutdown was initiated at 1:56:32pm and power was cut at 1:58:56pm, which is 2.5 minutes, right between the "Time Required for Shutdown Sequence" value and the "OS Shutdown Duration" value, so I'm not sure.

The UPS load is 24.9% and it hovers around a remaining runtime of between 24-27 minutes when it is fully charged. The firmware revision on the UPS is 93.14.D and the battery was last replaced in January 2018.

Any help would be appreciated--thank you!

[BillP]

can you please post all the PowerChute log from the host server.

[Anonymous user]

It looks like the most recent power outage log is no longer in the log file, so I will show you the logs from an administrative shutdown from a few weeks ago where the same behavior was observed:

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If this is not sufficient, there is a power outage scheduled for our office building tomorrow so building maintenance can do some high voltage power work. We are planning to let the UPS run down its battery at this time so as to perform a "live" test, so we can get you additional logs when the power comes back on on Sunday.

Thank you for your help!

[BillP]

As long as you have a shut down tomorrow, I suggest to increase "OS Shutdown Delay: 5-7 Minutes", just give more time to the server than it takes normally to shutdown. and You need not worry about the "Time Required For Shutdown Sequence" setting as you have no user defined command file is configured. try this setting and let me know your findings.

best regards

[Anonymous user]

Salah: I have upped the "OS Shutdown Duration" to 300 seconds (5 minutes). I will update you as to how it performs tomorrow! This terminology is still quite opaque to me, so thank you so much for the advice.

[Anonymous user]

Hi again,

Here are the log entries from the power outage event yesterday:

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As you can see, "Low Battery" got triggered twice. Unfortunately, due to a networking problem (someone unplugged the switch from the UPS), none of the servers received their signals to turn off, but that's not a problem for this forum.

Also unfortunately, it still looks like the host server didn't have enough time to shut down. At this point, should I change the delay from 300 seconds (5 minutes) to 600 seconds (10 minutes)? Or will that cause problems due to the exceptionally long shutdown time contrasted with the short runtime (~24 minutes)? Please let me know--thank you!

[BillP · Accepted solution]

I think It should be fine.