SMC1500C operational questions and issues.

[BillP]

I have deployed 2 SMC1500C UPS'  The first was last week and I got it registered through smartconnect.apc.com, was able to login and view it.

Yesterday I tried to login to register the second UPS and according to support the website is not working correctly and keeps driving me to a single sign on error page.

So, I figured, it's connected to my network, let's see what address it pulled. It does not seem to have pulled any and there seems to be no way to address it????

Question 1) does it have a web interface that I can log into locally given that it is apparent that the web site is not very robust?

I figured, I'll load powerchute business and access the UPS that way. Powerchute does not seem to have the smarts to locate it on the lan and expects it to be connected to a USB port. The manual mentions the port, but not it's use. Given that it's a USB A instead of the expected USB B:

Questions 2) What is the function of the port and does APC sugguest that I connect it to my computer with a USB A to USB A cable? Why no info in the manual.

Question 3) How do I setup this UPS to actually manage/shutdown one or more devices on my network? Again no info in the manual.

Thanks in advance

[voidstar_apc]

Hi Ed, good questions.

On 9/22/2018 4:29 PM, Ed said:

Question 1) does it have a web interface that I can log into locally given that it is apparent that the web site is not very robust?

SmartConnect is a cloud management solution. For local network management APC offers network management cards (AP9630, AP9631, or AP9635), however it doesn't look like your UPS has a SmartSlot to accept such cards. So you'd also need to upgrade to a SMT1500C or SMX1500C UPS.

The network management cards are pretty expensive which is one of the motivations for offering SmartConnect... although obviously it's not as nice as the cards and from what you're saying it sounds like they need to do more work on their web portal.

Alternatively if you plug the UPS into a computer using USB, you could use third party software like APCUPSd or Network UPS Tools to do network management. I can't offer much advice on those since it's not my area of expertise.

On 9/22/2018 4:29 PM, Ed said:

Questions 2) What is the function of the port and does APC sugguest that I connect it to my computer with a USB A to USB A cable? Why no info in the manual.

You'd use a USB A to B cable. If I look at the "Software" tab on the SMC1500C UPS page of the website, I see it supports PowerChute Business Edition. PCBE allows you to monitor the UPS from an attached computer and perform safe shutdowns.

On 9/22/2018 4:29 PM, Ed said:

Question 3) How do I setup this UPS to actually manage/shutdown one or more devices on my network? Again no info in the manual.

I don't think there's an APC supported way to do network shutdown on an SMC1500C, which is a lower priced "value" offering. You'd need an SMT1500C and a network management card. PowerChute Business Edition can handle a single computer using a USB connection to the UPS.

Your UPS can support up to 900W, so if you're trying to power several computers on a network, take care not to overload the UPS.

[BillP]

Hi, Thanks for the response.

This device has USB A on it not USB B. just discovered I should have received a USB A to USB A cable. That will take care of the local management.

After the first time I se my account up and added one device for smartconenct, I have not been able to login. I get a single signon error. Phone support indicated that it was a website problem. But that was 10 days ago. I'm thinking that they were mistaken and there is an issue with my account.

I just got in!. The only difference was I logged on to apc.com forums.apc.com and then I was able to get to smartconnect.apc.com. Talk about convoluted if that ends up being the requirement.

Now after adding a second device, It appears you must send alert status on every device to the same set of email(s). So much for being able to copy certain clients when their device goes down!

[BillP]

Hi,

On 10/1/2018 8:35 PM, Ed said:

Now after adding a second device, It appears you must send alert status on every device to the same set of email(s). So much for being able to copy certain clients when their device goes down!

Emailing individual user based on device is an enhancement that is being considered. In the mean time your options are to works with one of the other RMM tools SmartConenct is compatible with e.g. ConnectWise, Kaseya. Another option is to create individual accounts on the SmartConnect site based on client / location. 

[voidstar_apc]

On 10/1/2018 8:35 PM, Ed said:

This device has USB A on it not USB B. just discovered I should have received a USB A to USB A cable. That will take care of the local management.

Hi Ed,

My apologies, it does look like a USB A port! First time I've seen that.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

All of the new SmartConnect enabled SMT units use USB A to USB A cables, so I'm sure we will be seeing more comments on them 🙂