SMT1500C SmartConnect to local network

[BillP]

I have been trying since August to get my SMT1500C with SmartConnect to work on my companies local network.  I cannot use the cloud. Every time the computer crashes I have to drive for over for 30 minutes to reset the computer and then drive home.

• I have a local IP address, which I assigned to the UPS.
• The UPS smartconnect ethernet connector is connected to switch on the company network.  
• I also have a local DNS that allows me to recognize it with nslookup. 
• I can ping the ipaddress or the name. 
• Edge, Chrome and Firefox, all of them say the site can't be reached and it refused to connect.
• I have the company Gateway set according to their recommendations
• I am not sure what to put for Subnet Mask.  I currently have 255.255.255.0
• I have an issue with "SmartConnect Control" setting.  The documentation has 2 settings Enable or Disabled.  My UPS purchased Aug 2020.  The 3rd option is SmartConnect + Control, which is what I selected, since it seemed to allow me to at least ping the device.

I have tried to install PowerChute Personal, Business, shutdown and they can't find a device and seem to want a USB connection, which is not practical, since the only computer near the UPS is the one I would want to restart.

Suggestions?  I think there are a lot of people at my company that would like to have an UPS that allows them to shutdown/restart their computers remotely.

Brad Carvey

[BillP · Accepted solution]

One basic question:

Should the SmartConnect be disabled or enabled, if I am not connecting to the cloud, but am using the SmartConnect ethernet connection?

Does anyone know what the 3rd option (enabled with control) means and when it should be used?

Is there an updated manual that lists this?

Brad Carvey

[BillP · Accepted solution]

SmartConnect with control enables Trigger Alarm and Run Self Test on the web portal.

Still don't know if this enables the Cloud use or the use of the Ethernet.

BTW, I have been told that the network cards are legacy and that I only need the SmartConnect connection.  This is from the rep who got this info from APC.

Brad Carvey

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Brad,

SmartConnect is designed to communicate with the cloud. It is not designed for communication via LAN. If you required local access to the UPS via LAN you will need a network card. 

NOTE: SmartConnect is designed for monitoring of the UPS. When logged into the cloud you can configure e-mail notifications, and see historical event logs. It does not provide the option to reboot/reset the UPS. 

On 6/13/2021 9:11 PM, Brad said:

BTW, I have been told that the network cards are legacy and that I only need the SmartConnect connection.  This is from the rep who got this info from APC.

Not sure who provided this information but it is incorrect. We do have a few model network cards that are legacy/discontinued i.e., AP9606, AP9617, AP9618, AP9619, AP9630, AP9631. The current released network cards are AP9640, AP9641, AP9644. 

[robmir_apc · Accepted solution]

Don't waste your time, get a low cost working AP9630 on eBay , update it's firmware to the latest if you fill confident or use it with the one it came , set it's ip address etc to match your network from your  UPS display control and you will be able to access and control your UPS remotely right away  !!!!  I did exactly that with our 5 UPS   basically without  problems except one of the cards that I had to a hard reset to factory to erase the password that the previous owner set,  through a serial cable and  commands via Putty or any similar software,  that was just bad luck with one and at the end I fix it. There is plenty of videos explaining how to do it but that's the worst case scenario, usually people don't change the default APC user and APC password they came from factory. 

[BillP · Accepted solution]

That's what I thought, but I kept getting bad information.  I immediately ordered a AP9640 for about $230.

Brad Carvey

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the help and the suggestion.

Buying from eBay or even Amazon is difficult.  I used one of our official suppliers and ordered a card.  They have them in stock and are about 10 miles away.  I hope to get it in a week or two.

I have to register the mac address and get a static ip address assigned, so it's a bit more difficult.  But not a problem.

The computer and the UPS will be on a private corporate network.  Can I use a browser to access the UPS login screen and control it directly.  Or, do I need Powerchute or some other software?

I have one computer connected to the UPS (20 amp circuit).  The computer occasionally locks up.  I just want to have the UPS turn off the computer, so it will reboot and start running again.  Saves me a trip to restart it.

Brad Carvey

[robmir_apc · Accepted solution]

Yikes, I paid in eBay less than $ 50 for each one and got it in a week . 

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Good to know if I need one for personal use.  I don't think a used device from eBay would be acceptable to a large company with a private network.

Do I need powerchute?  Personal or Business?  Regular or Shutdown?

Can I just use a browser to login to the UPS and will a simple interface appear?

I don't need monitoring.  I don't need to control a single outlet or group.  I just need to cycle the power.

Brad Carvey

[robmir_apc · Accepted solution]

You can cycle the power and a lot of other things just by login with your browser in the UPS !!!