Smallest UPS capable of Network Management

[Anonymous user]

We have UPS equipment on network devices in outlaying buildings, and remote cities. It would be nice to manage these UPS devices remotely. Some of these uses do not need to carry much of a load. What is the smallest UPS device I can get that is capable of network management?

[BillP]

To remotely manage the SC420 over the network you will need to install PowerChute Business Edition. Instead of interfacing to a network management card, the UPS needs to be attached to a computer that is visible over the network. Also, you will need to attach the serial cable from the UPS to the computer.

[BillP]

OK, what is currently the smallest APC UPS with a SmartSlot for a NMC?
Thank you for your help!

[BillP]

This post was originally from June 2009, are there any updates for this post?
I am looking for the smallest possible UPS that is NMC or remote-monitoring capable.

Thank you

[BillP]

no updates here - BH500NET is the smallest and that is not accessible from outside the local subnet. SMT750 is the smallest UPS that you can install a AP9630 or AP9631 network management card into.

[BillP]

What about the SC420, it says "Provides remote management of the UPS over the network". What exactly does this provide?

[BillP]

You can either choose:

[SMT750|www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SMT750] or an [SMX750|http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SMX750]

[Erasmus_apc]

The SUA750/SUA750RM1U are the smallest UPS' that will have a SmartSlot for a dedicated Network Management Card. Other Smart-UPS units such as the SC line can technically be remote managed through a PCBE (PowerChute Business Edition) agent on a remote computer, but that computer will require serial access to the UPS. The BH500NET is a Back-UPS unit that is remote-monitoring capable, but it has far fewer options than a Network Management Card would provide and provides less data about the UPS than a PCBE agent would.

In short, the Network Management Card (AP9617) inside a 750 would be your best solution.

[Anonymous user]

Thanks for pointing out the BH500Net

Right now in one of these areas, I am using a BE500R (cost appx $60). I checked into the BH500Net and it looks like a nice step up to get management (although a little pricer at $200). A SUA750 with management would cost appx $600. My high-priority items to manage would be:
Is the UPS online (is it even on, can I remote to it)
Ability to do a remote self-test and/or check logs for result of periodic self-tests
SMTP notification of high-level events (on-battery, successful test)
Also nice
Battery capacity
Load on UPS


I know I get what I pay for, but the SUA750 is $400 more than the BH500Net. What would I be missing on the BH500Net?

[Anonymous user]

Let me try again on some comments that didn't show...I don't think it liked my formatting/indenting. My priorities are (1) is it up/online, (2) can I perform a self-test and/or see results of scheduled self-tests. Other nice-to-haves are (3) smtp alerts for on-battery or self-test results, (4) battery capacity, (5) ups load.

[Erasmus_apc · Accepted solution]

WantsToKnow wrote:
Let me try again on some comments that didn't show...I don't think it liked my formatting/indenting. My priorities are (1) is it up/online, (2) can I perform a self-test and/or see results of scheduled self-tests. Other nice-to-haves are (3) smtp alerts for on-battery or self-test results, (4) battery capacity, (5) ups load.

The BH500NET provides all of your above requirements, except for SMTP/Email alerts. You miss out on a lot of notification options using the BH unit in comparison to an NMC, as well as the adjustment of many UPS power options, web access/control console security, the ability to integrate into a larger management system, etc. The NMC is really a more "enterprise" solution...but the BH500NET satisfies a simple remote monitoring requirement.

Edit: You can test out the NMC on testdrive.apc.com, and you can see some of the BH500NET interface on the product page on our website.

Message was edited by: Erasmus