SMT1500 Powerchute BE lost communications

[BillP]

Hi,

Installed a new SMT1500 UPS to replace an older SUA1500 and faced the dreaded "Lost communications" message. I though this message would never come back, anyway. With the SMT1500 I used the serial to RJ45 connector cable and wanted to know if it is safe to just unplug the cable while the server and battery backup unit are still running? I used to do it with the older unit but that was USB cable. Please advise.

Thanks, Julio

[BillP]

yes, you can do that unless you had specifically configured the lost communications event to shutdown the server. it is not configured to do so by default.

as far as the lost communications, after how long did it happen? did you look into it at all yet?

[BillP]

Hi,

It was the default configuration and it happened after about 6 hours. There is nothing unusual about this server an ML350 G5 with Windows 2003 R2 and an external tape drive. In the past I had seen this issue with the USB connections, but not serial. I'll keep an eye on and see what happens.

Thanks, Julio

Message was edited by: rxjules

[Anonymous user]

So much for the problem not existing in the SMT series huh? I went through the "lost communications" nightmare with a bunch of SUA-750s. Got the problem children moved over to serial and for the most part that did the trick. I still have a couple of them experienceing the problem even running serial.

I still messing with one. Windows 2003 R2. Powerchute is V9 Build 613. After I lose communication I have to stop both the APC Agent and APC Server services. Than start them. The communication is re-established for about 24 hours and than I lose it again. I was told that this "lost communication" problem was due to the software sending something to the UPS that essential stopped the UPS from communicating. What have you been told?

That doesn't seem to be the case at least in this incident. It looks like the UPS is still communicating but that the Powerchute stopped talking to it. Since all I have to do is stop and start those two services it sure appears to me that it is a Powerchute issue. APC support leaves alot to be desired so you have to take what they say with a grain of salt and usually debug the problem yourself anyway.

See if stopping those two services than starting them re-establishes communication. Let me know your thoughts.

[Anonymous user]

I still messing with one. Windows 2003 R2. Powerchute is V9 Build 613. After I lose communication I have to stop both the APC Agent and APC Server services. Than start them. The communication is re-established for about 24 hours and than I lose it again. I was told that this "lost communication" problem was due to the software sending something to the UPS that essential stopped the UPS from communicating. What have you been told?

That doesn't seem to be the case at least in this incident. It looks like the UPS is still communicating but that the Powerchute stopped talking to it. Since all I have to do is stop and start those two services it sure appears to me that it is a Powerchute issue. APC support leaves alot to be desired so you have to take what they say with a grain of salt and usually debug the problem yourself anyway.

See if stopping those two services than starting them re-establishes communication. Let me know your thoughts.

[Anonymous user]

That doesn't seem to be the case at least in this incident. It looks like the UPS is still communicating but that the Powerchute stopped talking to it. Since all I have to do is stop and start those two services it sure appears to me that it is a Powerchute issue. APC support leaves alot to be desired so you have to take what they say with a grain of salt and usually debug the problem yourself anyway.

Message was edited by: jimbecher

[Anonymous user]

See if stopping those two services than starting them re-establishes communication. Let me know your thoughts.

Message was edited by: jimbecher

[Anonymous user]

Am I limited to so many characters in a post or does their forum work about as well as the UPS's ?

[BillP · Accepted solution]

you could also try to reboot the UPS eventually if it happens. i agree, it is rare on serial connections versus the USB. it did not regain communications on its own i take it? how long was it in the lost comm state before you got to it?