Required software to shutdown multiple servers with one UPS using USB cable

[BillP]

I have used APC equipment off and on for the past 10 years or so, but I must admit I'm not as familiar with the software as I used to be. I could've swore that APC software would allow you to shutdown any number of servers using only one UPS regardless of whether it had a network management card or not. But last time I went to set this up I was unable to install the software on any server that was not directly connected to the UPS (USB or Serial). It would error out saying it couldn't find any compatible UPS device. The UPS model in question is a SUA3000RM2U (Smart-UPS 30000) using a USB cable, no optional cards installed.

Is this configuration possible? Can I shutdown multiple computers/servers in case of power failure using only one UPS which is only managed via USB cable to a deidcated server? Or is the optional Network Management Card required? If it is possible, which version of the software do I need?

Thanks.

[Techie_apc]

Phillip,

Unfortunately, you can not use both the Serial and USB cables simultaneously. It means that you can shutdown or manage only one Server at a time by using the cables that shipped with the UPS.

In order to shutdown two or multiple servers from a single Smart UPS, you need to purchase an additional accessory. Click here to know how can you monitor multiple servers with PowerChute software when using one Smart-UPS.

I hope that this helps.

[TheNotoriousKMP_apc]

Slizzy,

In order to achieve what you are looking to do, you can go about this in one of three ways.

1. Write a batch command file so that when your primary machine is about to begin its shutdown, it will send a command to the other machines to also begin a shutdown. Please note that APC provides the means for, but does not fully support, command scripts.

2. In order to shut down either 2 or up to 8 devices, you would need to purchase either a Serial Interface Expander (for 2 more serial ports for a total of 3), or a Share-UPS Interface Expander (for up to 8). Both setups would allow you to still utilize your primary smart-signaling port for advanced communication with the UPS. You would at that point install PowerChute Business Edition Agents on all communicating devices, and then the Server/Console portions on your centralized monitoring system. Please keep in mind that with PCBE Basic, you can only monitor a maximum of 5 machines with one instance of PCBE Server. When installing the Agent on each of the simple signaling ports (any of the other 7 on the Share-UPS), you will want to select "Interface Expander Basic" and the appropriate communication port to ensure that the software can communicate effectively with the UPS.

3. The final option is to install a Network Management Card (AP9617/8/9) into the SmartSlot of the UPS. This will allow you to remove all serial communication cables from your setup, and everything will be run over the network. You would install PowerChute Network Shutdown agents on each of the machines that are using the UPS as a physical power source. You would have to configure the Network card with TCP/IP settings prior to doing this. When you install the PCNS agent you will be required to enter the IP address of the pre-configured Network card so that it can verify communication. The only downside to this is that in this setup, it is assumed that your major network components do not drop or fail in response to a blackout or power problem. Most customers usually have their switch for this setup attached to the UPS for a power source just to ensure communication in the event the UPS has to transfer to battery.

[BillP]

Thanks for your advice. I'll have to go ahead and get the NMC for my customer. Scripting would be a good alternative but I'd rather spend the extra money to have a fully supported configuration and peace of mind. I've used the Share-UPS extender in the past but I thought it was done away with after the release of their Network Shutdown software. I thought you could use PNS to shutdown any machine when the UPS was managed by only one server using a USB/Serial connection. But now that I think about it this is probably the first time I've tried installing PNS in an environment where I didn't have a NMC.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

I have used APC equipment off and on for the past 10 years or so, but I must admit I'm not as familiar with the software as I used to be. I could've swore that APC software would allow you to shutdown any number of servers using only one UPS regardless of whether it had a network management card or not. But last time I went to set this up I was unable to install the software on any server that was not directly connected to the UPS (USB or Serial). It would error out saying it couldn't find any compatible UPS device. The UPS model in question is a SUA3000RM2U (Smart-UPS 30000) using a USB cable, no optional cards installed.

Is this configuration possible? Can I shutdown multiple computers/servers in case of power failure using only one UPS which is only managed via USB cable to a deidcated server? Or is the optional Network Management Card required? If it is possible, which version of the software do I need?

Thanks.