Shutdown if there is no WAN connection in external location

[Anonymous user]

Hi all,

I tested a scenario:

we got a external location with a WAN connection, there is a Smart UPS 1500, and the automatic shutdown is performing well. with entering maintenance mode, migrate (if cluster), and shutting down AND no powering on(only manually)

all fine, but I think the trigger starts from the PCN appliance, isnt it? It doesnt matter if the config is already pushed on the APC in the location. Because in my scenario, I shut down the WAN Connection, so PCN Appliance (headquarter) got no communication with the APC (external, not Headquarter) but the switching in the external location between APC and Dell Server/ESX is established, though there is no trigger from APC 😕

I know this is the worst scenario ever, Power Problems and no WAN, but I hoped, the trigger is coming from the APC itself if there is no WAN communication with the pcn.

Anybody got an idea?

thanks in advance

danny

[BillP]

Hi,

PowerChute Network Shutdown receives the UPS status over the network. You should have PCNS installed on the local ESXi host and that PCNS will communicate with the local UPS over the LAN. When the local UPS switches to battery the local PCNS will react and start the power down sequence for the local host/s.  

[Anonymous user]

Hi Bill,

like always thanks for the fast reply!

So this is the answer i thought so, that the PCNS triggers the communication.

PCNS on every ESXi? Is there an agent option? its not only 1 external locations, we got over 100 external locations on different places.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hi,

We offer a VM with PCNS preinstalled. You would deploy the VM on each host. See the PowerChute installation guide http://www.apc.com/salestools/PMAR-9HBK44/PMAR-9HBK44_R6_EN.pdf.

I also recommend you review the PowerChute User's guide http://www.apc.com/salestools/PMAR-9DNLQK/PMAR-9DNLQK_R3_EN.pdf?sdirect=true

If you are utilizing vCenter Server you should review Application Note 180 http://www.apc.com/salestools/SJHN-92FLU8/SJHN-92FLU8_R6_EN.pdf?sdirect=true

[Anonymous user]

Hi Bill,

as always thanks for your fast replies... ok this can be a solution but not in our enviroment, because this are over 100 locations, and in this locations there are small enviroments with a few VMs, in this locations (external) we got VMware licensing by count of VMs.

so I see only one option, to install the Windows Solution on a running server where other services are installed too, without using another VM in any location.

Or maybe in my case it would be better to edit a network management card 2 User Config File, and upload this ini to every NMC 2 in the locations? With the NMC 2 ... is there a gently option to shutdown VMs too? Or is it only possible with PCNS?

Thanks a lot Bill

[BillP]

Hi,

On 4/24/2018 4:22 AM, Danny said:

Or maybe in my case it would be better to edit a network management card 2 User Config File, and upload this ini to every NMC 2 in the locations? With the NMC 2 ... is there a gently option to shutdown VMs too?

Depending on the NMC there would be options to trigger a shutdown but the systems being shutdown would still need PowerChute installed on them. Smart-UPS SMT, SMX, SRT offer switched outlets and with a AP9630, or AP9631 installed would allow you to configure power down.

If you cannot install the PowerChute Appliance your other options are install PowerChute on VMware vMA or if that is not available as you mentioned install on a Windows system. 

[Anonymous user]

Hi Bill,

yes we got a Smart UPS 1500 DLT1500I and an AP9630 NMC, so is there a way to shutdown gently (Shutdown VMs, then Maintenance, then Power off?) without having Powerchute, or do you always need Powerchute for this?

thanks a lot.

[BillP]

Hi,

You will always need software on the computer to receive the signal from the NMC and to react to the signal. Example: install PCNS on Windows Server and configure it to listen to AP9630 install in Smart-UPS. The Smart-UPS switches to battery operation and the NMC sends a signal to PCNS. PCNS has been configured to start the shutdown process after the UPS has been on battery for 2 minutes. After waiting 2 minutes since no on line  message has been received PCNS starts the shutdown process. 

[Anonymous user]

ahh ok bill thanks a lot, then I did it right, I hoped there is a solution, that the networkmanagement card 2 (AP9630) has an extra option by it self, because of this many functions it brings with.

ok then I think about installing PCNS on a running Windows Server in the locations.

[voidstar_apc]

The network management card can shut down the UPS on its own (look into "Load Shedding" settings on the outlet groups) however like Bill said, your servers need software to tell them to safely shut down. PCNS is APC's solution; there are also third party tools: APCUPSd and NUT.