SMC1500-2UC Exasperration

[Coaster]

It's been a while since I've last worked with APC SmartUPS, and things seem to have gone further downhill.  I went through pure horror show simply trying to create on on-line account with my new Email, trying different browsers, PCs, and internet connections.  Only by creating a login within this forum did I get a login that works on the main support site.  Oddly enough, while I was not logged in, it showed a software and firmware download option for my model, but not that I'm logged in the software option of serial connection has disappeared.  When I'm not logged in it doesn't let me download!  The firmware link under my model shows about fifty models, none of which are the SMC1500-2UC.  Lastly, most importantly, I cannot access the thing via USB, serial, or IP.  We are NOT going to cloud manage it - corporate security ain't gonna open something up just to monitor batteries.  We need to do that on-premise like when there was Powerchute, which is apparently no more since I can't download it.  I've seen links to at least the Powerchute Serial Shutdown, but every time I go to that download link it shows I need to sign in again, and when I do, I can't get to the download page, and when I manually go to it again it signs me out!  I go in circles and circles.  This is horrendous!  Starting to think we need to go with a different brand.

[Coaster]

So, after further time researching, it seems this model can ONLY be managed by the cloud service, hence my inability to communicate with that Ethernet port.  Lovely.  Let me know if I'm mistaken.  Apparently that could be worked around by adding the network management card, but this model has no slot, and APC's been pretty proud of their cards anyway.  Ugh!  I'm wondering how many APCs scattered in our IDFs are these SmartConnect models.  

[Teken · Accepted solution]

You're correct the APC PCSS software now requires a person to create an account before downloading any supporting firmware / software. 😖 APC PCSS and the legacy Power Chute software (PCBE) is the only official method to connect to the UPS via USB / Serial.

It's quite obvious the person responsible for hardware procurement didn't bother to review the differences between the different models from the SMC vs SMT, SMX, SRT, etc. 🤢 As the latter three incorporate a Smart Slot for the NMC (Network Management Card) for direct, local, management / control / SNMP / SMTP / etc.

Why anyone who's serious about security would allow their most important infrastructure (Power Management) hardware to be connected to the Internet, and to another persons computer?!?! 😖

Regardless, there are several third party software applications which many use besides APC Power Chute which are APCUPSD, NUT, etc. Lastly, to be crystal clear you can NOT use the green RJ45 port (Smart Connect) port as a NIC for anything else besides APC Smart Connect!

Questions Ask . . . 👍