UPS shutdown scenario question

Anonymous user · ‎2021-07-01

I have a question about shutting down some servers running on a SmartUPS 2200.. We have 2 servers, both with the newest version of PCNS installed. My question is - what's the difference between setting up shutdown parameters on the PCNS software vs. configuring it in the NMC? Our idea scenario is to have the servers shut down in the event of a power loss, and the UPS to cut the power to the outlets after they're off. Once power is restore to the UPS, it should remain off until the battery is above a certain threshold, say 70%, and then turn power back on to the outlets. Any help appreciated!

BillP · ‎2021-07-01

Hi,

Low battery will trigger a shutdown of all outlet group. The low battery duration should be configured to allow enough time for all system to power down before the battery drains completely. Since you are not configuring the shutdown in PCNS then Maximum required delay would not be used.

Here is the description of all of those setting for the NMC help page

**********

Start of Shutdown
Low Battery Duration	Defines how long the UPS can continue to run on battery power after a low-battery condition occurs.
Shutdown Delay	Defines how long the UPS waits before it shuts down in response to a turn-off command.
Maximum Required Delay	Calculates the delay needed to ensure that each PowerChute client has enough time to shut down safely when the UPS or the PowerChute client initiates a graceful shutdown. Maximum Required Delay is the longest shutdown delay needed by any server listed as a PowerChute Network Shutdown client. This delay is calculated whenever the management interface of the UPS turns on or is reset, or when "Force Negotiation" is selected as Maximum Required Delay. "Force Negotiation" polls each client for information on the time it needs for a graceful shutdown. Two extra minutes to allow for unforeseen circumstances is then added to the calculated time. The negotiation can take up to 10 minutes. If you do not select "Force Negotiation", two minutes is used by default as the shutdown delay for all clients.
Basic Signaling Shutdown	When enabled, allows basic-signaling shutdown. Basic signaling provides safe system shutdown and notification, but does not provide the continuous advanced monitoring features available with advanced signaling. Enable basic-signaling shutdown if your computer is connected to the UPS with a basic-signaling cable, and the type of UPS either does not support advanced signaling or is configured to communicate in basic signaling.
Controlled Early Shutdown
Time On Battery	When enabled the NMC will turn off the UPS if it is running on battery when the time on battery exceeds the value set here.
Runtime Remaining	When enabled the NMC will turn off the UPS if it is running on battery when the runtime remaining of the UPS is less than the value set here.
Percent Load	When enabled the NMC will turn off the UPS if it is running on battery when the output percent load of the UPS is less than the value set here.
Stay Off After Power Returns	When enabled after a controlled early shutdown turns off the UPS, the UPS will not turn back on when AC power is restored to the UPS. If this is disabled, the UPS will turn on when AC power is restored.
Duration of Shutdown
Sleep Time	Defines how long the UPS sleeps (keeps its output power turned off) when you use the "Put UPS To Sleep" option of the "Control" menu.
End of Shutdown
Minimum Battery Capacity	The minimum battery capacity, as a percentage of full capacity, required 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.
PowerChute Network Shutdown Parameters
Maximum Required Delay	Calculates the delay needed to ensure that each PowerChute client has enough time to shut down safely when the UPS or the PowerChute client initiates a graceful shutdown. Maximum Required Delay is the longest shutdown delay needed by any server listed as a PowerChute Network Shutdown client. This delay is calculated whenever the management interface of the UPS turns on or is reset, or when "Force Negotiation" is selected as Maximum Required Delay. "Force Negotiation" polls each client for information on the time it needs for a graceful shutdown. Two extra minutes to allow for unforeseen circumstances is then added to the calculated time. The negotiation can take up to 10 minutes. If you do not select "Force Negotiation", two minutes is used by default as the shutdown delay for all clients.
On-Battery Shutdown Behavior	After the PowerChute clients shut down their computer systems, this parameter determines whether the UPS turns on automatically or must be turned on manually when input power is restored.
Authentication Phrase	Sets the case-sensitive phrase of 15 to 32 ASCII characters to be used during MD5 authentication for PowerChute communication. The default setting is "admin user phrase" for Administrator.

See Answer In Context

BillP · ‎2021-07-01

Hi,

With a UPS that has switchable outlets and offers load shedding it is personal preference whether to configured the shutdown via PCNS on the NMC.

This is a screenshot of outlet group1 - SMX1500 with AP9631 firmware version 5.1.7

You can accomplish what you are asking via the NMC and leave PCNS at the defaults. Note: the return runtime threshold is set by minutes not percent.

If you do not have a UPS with switchable outlets let us know the exact model number of the UPS, NMC, and the firmware revision of the NMC and we can make recommendations for that configuration.

Anonymous user · ‎2021-07-01

Thanks for the response! I'm using NMC AP9631 (I've attached a screenshot). Is there a way to tell the exact model number without looking at the back of the unit? I'm not onsite with it right now, but I can check it if need be. I'm sorry if these are rudimentary questions, but wouldn't anything have to be set in the "shutdown" part of the image you posted? Just trying to get my head wrapped around the whole thing before I put this into production.. Thanks for your help!

BillP · ‎2021-07-01

Hi,

In the configuration I sent when the outlet group reaches a remaining runtime of 1800 seconds it will send a shutdown command to any PCNS client that has been configured to listen to that outlet group. Configuring the PCNS client outlet group is done through he PCNS web interface or pcnsconfig.ini file. The NMC will wait 180 seconds after sending the command to PCNS and then tell the UPS to cut power to the outlet group. When AC is restored it will what 900 seconds and then if the battery can sustain the load for greater that 1800 seconds the outlet group will be energized.

How the load is determined is at the time the NMC sends the shutdown command to PCNS it captures the load / draw information. Using that info it determine how long the battery will need to charge to sustain that load / draw.

Anonymous user · ‎2021-07-01

OK.. that makes sense.. how does the page shown below factor into it?

BillP · ‎2021-07-01

Hi,

Low battery will trigger a shutdown of all outlet group. The low battery duration should be configured to allow enough time for all system to power down before the battery drains completely. Since you are not configuring the shutdown in PCNS then Maximum required delay would not be used.

Here is the description of all of those setting for the NMC help page

**********

Start of Shutdown
Low Battery Duration	Defines how long the UPS can continue to run on battery power after a low-battery condition occurs.
Shutdown Delay	Defines how long the UPS waits before it shuts down in response to a turn-off command.
Maximum Required Delay	Calculates the delay needed to ensure that each PowerChute client has enough time to shut down safely when the UPS or the PowerChute client initiates a graceful shutdown. Maximum Required Delay is the longest shutdown delay needed by any server listed as a PowerChute Network Shutdown client. This delay is calculated whenever the management interface of the UPS turns on or is reset, or when "Force Negotiation" is selected as Maximum Required Delay. "Force Negotiation" polls each client for information on the time it needs for a graceful shutdown. Two extra minutes to allow for unforeseen circumstances is then added to the calculated time. The negotiation can take up to 10 minutes. If you do not select "Force Negotiation", two minutes is used by default as the shutdown delay for all clients.
Basic Signaling Shutdown	When enabled, allows basic-signaling shutdown. Basic signaling provides safe system shutdown and notification, but does not provide the continuous advanced monitoring features available with advanced signaling. Enable basic-signaling shutdown if your computer is connected to the UPS with a basic-signaling cable, and the type of UPS either does not support advanced signaling or is configured to communicate in basic signaling.
Controlled Early Shutdown
Time On Battery	When enabled the NMC will turn off the UPS if it is running on battery when the time on battery exceeds the value set here.
Runtime Remaining	When enabled the NMC will turn off the UPS if it is running on battery when the runtime remaining of the UPS is less than the value set here.
Percent Load	When enabled the NMC will turn off the UPS if it is running on battery when the output percent load of the UPS is less than the value set here.
Stay Off After Power Returns	When enabled after a controlled early shutdown turns off the UPS, the UPS will not turn back on when AC power is restored to the UPS. If this is disabled, the UPS will turn on when AC power is restored.
Duration of Shutdown
Sleep Time	Defines how long the UPS sleeps (keeps its output power turned off) when you use the "Put UPS To Sleep" option of the "Control" menu.
End of Shutdown
Minimum Battery Capacity	The minimum battery capacity, as a percentage of full capacity, required 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.
PowerChute Network Shutdown Parameters
Maximum Required Delay	Calculates the delay needed to ensure that each PowerChute client has enough time to shut down safely when the UPS or the PowerChute client initiates a graceful shutdown. Maximum Required Delay is the longest shutdown delay needed by any server listed as a PowerChute Network Shutdown client. This delay is calculated whenever the management interface of the UPS turns on or is reset, or when "Force Negotiation" is selected as Maximum Required Delay. "Force Negotiation" polls each client for information on the time it needs for a graceful shutdown. Two extra minutes to allow for unforeseen circumstances is then added to the calculated time. The negotiation can take up to 10 minutes. If you do not select "Force Negotiation", two minutes is used by default as the shutdown delay for all clients.
On-Battery Shutdown Behavior	After the PowerChute clients shut down their computer systems, this parameter determines whether the UPS turns on automatically or must be turned on manually when input power is restored.
Authentication Phrase	Sets the case-sensitive phrase of 15 to 32 ASCII characters to be used during MD5 authentication for PowerChute communication. The default setting is "admin user phrase" for Administrator.