Too many dependencies

[BillP]

Hi Forum,

I tried really hard and read many hours to understand, but I don't get it. Too many interacting dependencies between PCNS and UPS (NMC). Is it too much to ask for a detailed advice where to do which setting in my relatively simple scenario? 

There is a SmartUPS 1500 with an NMC9630, a single server (Windows Server 2012 R2 core, hosting 2 virtual machines) is connected to main outlet. PCNS is installed on the host. The UPS has a runtime remaining of about 100 minutes. My requirements in case of power outage are:

1. At 45 minutes of remaining run time, the PCNS (or NMC?) should start a batch which shuts down the virtual machines.

2. This batch already exists and takes about 1200 seconds (20 minutes), including long security buffer to shut down Exchange server.

3. After counting down these 20 Minutes the PCNS (or NMC?) should shut down the host.

4. About four minutes after the beginning of the host shutdown, the UPS should switch off server and itself.

5. When power comes back the UPS should switch on itself and the server as well.

If someone stumbles over a shutdown 21 minutes (45 - 20 - 4) before battery runs out of power: My intention is to have a safety buffer in the case that the battery suffers from old age and the calculated remaining runtime isn't enough.

Thanks a lot to anyone who could exemplarily show how to set this up in PCNS/NMC.

Greetings,

Stefano

[BillP]

Hello,

What is the model of the UPS. That will determine the best available shutdown scenario. 

[BillP]

Hi Bill,

it's a Smart-UPS SMT1500I 1000W.

Thanks a lot,
Stefano

[BillP]

Hi,

That UPS has 2 outlet groups. A Main outlet group and a Switched i.e. group 1. Which outlet group do you have PowerChute associated with? What firmware version is on the AP9630? Also, would you be willing to start the shutdown process after the UPS has been running on battery for x amount of minutes instead of when there is 45 minutes of runtime remaining? 

[BillP]

Hi Bill,

PowerChute is associated with main outlet group (not "switched" outlet group). Firmware of AP9630 is v6.4.0. And yes, sure, if it is easier to count the time the UPS is on battery. Would you say that half an hour after the outage is a good moment to start the shutdown process?

Thanks a lot!

Regards,
Stefano

[BillP]

Hi,

You can configure the NMC and PowerChute to start the shutdown process when

1. UPS has 45 minutes of available runtime remaining
2. Run a command file / batch file when the shutdown process starts
3. Wait 20 minutes and then start the OS / host shutdown
4. Wait another 4 minutes and cut power to the outlet group
5. When AC returns and after the outlet group has powered down restore AC to the outlet groups
6. Have the server start automatically when AC is restored

First you need to open the PowerChute web interface and go to Shutdown Settings. Select Run Command and enter the full path to the command / batch file. Then set the duration to 1200 seconds and select Apply.

Then open the AP9630 web interface and go to Configuration – Outlet Groups and select the Main outlet group. Enter 1560 seconds for Power off delay. Then under Load Shedding select UPS runtime remaining is less than and enter 2700 seconds. Uncheck Skip outlet off delay if checked and click Apply.

Next open Outlet Group 1 and under Load Shedding - UPS runtime remaining is less than enter 2700 seconds. Leave skip outlet off delay checked or if un-checked check skip outlet off delay and the click apply. 

What will happen is when the UPS runtime falls below 45 minutes the NMC will signal PowerChute that the outlet group will be power off. PowerChute will trigger the batch file, wait 20 minutes and then command the host / server down. Also, when the shutdown process starts power will be cut to group 1 since it was told to skip the power off delay. Having Group 1 power down is a requirement for the Main to power down. The Main will continue to be energize for 26 minutes (the power off delay). Once the 26 minute delay has passed AC will be cut to the Main outlet group.

Assuming you have not check stay off after power returns in the outlet group configuration pages and have not uncheck restart when power is restored under Configuration – Shutdown Configuration when AC returns and after it has been cut to all outlet groups the outlet groups will energize.

If you would like the server to restart when AC is restored you need to configure the BIOS to do so. Some systems will power on when the BIOS is set to last know state and other require always on.

If you do not want Group 1 power down immediately you can change the setting and set Group 1 with a 1560 power off delay and uncheck skip outlet off delay. Then in the Main outlet settings check skip outlet off delay.

What will happen is the NMC will send the signal to PowerChute and Group 1 will begin the delay to power off. The Main cannot power down until Group 1 is down so it will remain energize until Group 1 is off. Once the 26 minute delay passes Group 1 will power off and the Main will power down at that time.

The negative to that scenario is if during the 26 minute delay for Group 1 to power off if AC is restore the Main group will not power down. You would then need to restart the server manually since AC never gets cut the Main outlet group and the BIOS will not see a change it the state. 

Edit:  if using Group 1 as the trigger you must have PowerChute configured with Group 1 not the Main outlet group. Also, in either scenario you should set the low battery duration to 28 minutes. The 26 needed for shutdown and an additional 2 minute buffer. The UPS should never reach low battery however configuring properly is the safe solution. 

I tested with SMT1500C running UPS firmware 3.5. The NMC was AP9630 with firmware 6.5.6

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Bill,

thanks so much. I appreciate your efforts to help out a lot. In the end I got the idea, but I never would have thought of that on my own.

One thing: I cannot enter the number "2700" into "UPS runtime remaining is less than". The maximum allowed value here is 1800 (I updated my NMC to the most recent firmware). But I took your explanations and used the option "power failure lasts longer than" which satisfies my needs as well. There I entered "2700". All other settings I left as you suggested, I think there is no need to change them. I will test it in the near future.

Thanks a lot,
Stefano