Using USB to RS232 to connect SC 450VA to a QNAP

[Anonymous user]

Using USB to RS232 adapter to connect SC 450VA to a QNAP?

Not sure in which section post this, my issue is the next:

My company owns a UPS 450VA which comes with a RS232 port as only communication port, and a QNAP TS-453BU-RP-4G

Does make sense to use an USB to RS232 adaptor in order to get the auto-protection running in the QNAP?
There is any other solution? Any technical spec for the Adapter?

Thanks.

APC Smart-UPS SC 450VA 230V
https://www.apc.com/shop/id/en/products/APC-Smart-UPS-SC-450VA-230V-1U-Rackmount-Tower/P-SC450RMI1U 

USB to RS232 adapter on Amazon.de
https://www.amazon.de/dp/B00QUZY4UG/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=USB+RS232&qid=1575449525&sr=8-3

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[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hello,

I recommend you get a UPS that offers USB support. Even with a USB to serial converter the UPS will not communicate with the USB on the QNAP. The converter cable is designed to create a serial port not convert serial to USB. 

[Manius]

In case other friends run into this as well, here are my two cents:

1. ssh into QNAP and manually install "apcupsd", then manually install NUT server, the flow is: connect APC  smart ups with QNAP through DB9-USB convertor, and config apcupsd so it will recognize the existance of the Smart UPS, the NUT server is used to convert the information obtained through apcupsd into a standard NUT output format, and in QNAP ups selection panel, use the 3rd option "Network UPS slave", but in fact the "Network master" is exactly the QNAP itself. In this way you let your QNAP listen to your APC Smart UPS through the standard NUT protocol, but the NUT server is set up on QNAP itself, and NUT in turn obtains UPS parameters from your serial-ported UPS through DB9-USB convertor, so you have your APC Smart UPS work tightly with your QNAP.

I personally wouldn't recommend this way, because it's way too intrusive for the QNAP system, too much low-level manipulations thus hard to maintain.

2. the second solution will be: connect APC Smart UPS to another Linux box, or Windows server, whatever. and set up NUT server there, on QNAP side it will be almost the same: select "Network UPS slave" mode, and listen to the NUT server from you another Linux box, which is what I'm doing now.