Servers power back down after power restoral

[Anonymous user]

I have a Smart-UPS RT 6000 / NMC AP9631 powering eight servers of various types, and PowerChute Network Shutdown version 4.1 on each server.  I am using the "Runtime Exceeded" event to begin the shutdown processes on each server. My "Maximum Required Delay" on the NMC is set to 10 minutes. With my current load, I can run for about 1.5 hours before shutdowns begin. After some trial and error, I was able to get everything working nicely, including the UPS itself shutting down after all servers have shut down. 

Here is my problem:

When power is restored, all the servers come back up (I have the BIOS set on all servers to start booting when AC power is applied). After the servers are back up and running, PowerChute will, of course, begin monitoring the NMC again. However, at this point, the battery is not sufficiently charged yet, and the server will get another "Runtime Exceeded" event and shut down again! All my servers shut back down! And since the AC power will not toggle at that point, they stay shut down.

I do not see any way I can override the shutdown process on the "Runtime Exceeded" event when the UPS is NOT on battery. I see an event for "Input Power Restored" but you can only set logging or a command file.

Amy help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[BillP]

Hi,

Depending on the UPS model and firmware on the AP9631 you need to add a power on delay to either the UPS or the outlet groups. If you UPS has switched outlet groups you add a power on delay.

Power On Delay

When this outlet group is off, it waits this delay before turning on when "On with Delay," "Reboot" (with or without delay), or "Shutdown, AC Restart" (also with or without delay) is selected as the action for this outlet group.

Minimum Return Runtime

UPS must be able to provide battery power for this long before turning the outlet back on after a power failure. This can be used to ensure that attached loads have enough time to safely shut down if AC utility power fails again. For example, if the minimum returnruntime were 50 seconds:

1. Power fails.
2. UPS finishes shutting down. At this point, the UPS has 20s of runtime remaining, which means that when it turns back on, it can only power the load for 20s.
3. Power returns; AC Utility line is good. UPS starts charging its battery.
4. When the UPS charges its batteries up enough to provide 50s of runtime, it has met the minimum return runtime requirement and will turn the outlet back on.
5. If power fails again at this point, devices attached to the outlet are guaranteed at least 50s of runtime to safely shut down.

If the UPS does not have switched outlets then you add a delay under the heading of End of Shutdown.

End of Shutdown
Return Runtime Duration	The amount of time that the UPS must be able to support the load by battery power in order for the UPS to end its sleep time (or turn back on when rebooted) and resume providing output power.
Return Delay	Defines how long the UPS waits before it turns on after a shutdown that was caused by a power failure, after a scheduled shutdown, or after a shutdown initiated by a Control command. If the battery is depleted below the percentage configured as "Minimum Battery Capacity", the UPS first waits until the battery is recharged to that minimum capacity. If the battery is depleted below the capacity to provide the runtime configured as "Return Runtime Duration", the UPS first waits until the battery is recharged to the capacity that is able to provide that runtime.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Hi Bill,

Thank you very much. That is exactly what I was looking for.

Charlie