Which hardware controls shutdown (and other questions)

[Anonymous user]

I have a new Smart-UPS SMX2000RMLV2U and I am getting ready to setup my servers on this new UPS. I've been digging through the NMC menus and have become confused as to which "side" initiates a shutdown in the event of an outage. Are the client machines told to shutdown by the NMC or does the NMC simply relay the power/battery status to the client?

Here's why I ask: I have a test PC connected to the UPS and running PCNS 3.0. The PCNS client is only configured to notify, not shutdown. If I schedule a shutdown through the NMC, the PC will be told to shutdown as scheduled. However, if I simply unplug the UPS, and have the PC's outlet group setup for load shedding in the event of an outage longer than 120s, the PC is notified that the UPS is on-battery, but does not start a shutdown. When all of teh tiemrs have finished their countdowns, the PC is powered off hard.

I'm sure that with all of the possible setting on the UPS, I could have it misconfigured, but i'd appreciate any advice. Is this normal behavior for load shedding on the NMC?

Message was edited by: mweeks

[voidstar_apc · Accepted solution]

Hi Matthew,

>
Here's why I ask: I have a test PC connected to the UPS and running PCNS 3.0. The PCNS client is only configured to notify, not shutdown. If I schedule a shutdown through the NMC, the PC will be told to shutdown as scheduled. However, if I simply unplug the UPS, and have the PC's outlet group setup for load shedding in the event of an outage longer than 120s, the PC is notified that the UPS is on-battery, but does not start a shutdown. When all of teh tiemrs have finished their countdowns, the PC is powered off hard.
>

Is the "Skip outlet off delay" checked on the outlet's load shedding configuration? If so, uncheck it. PCNS is supposed to configure the off delay to give the PCs enough time to shut down. Skipping off delays through any interface will cause a hard shutdown.

To answer your original question:
- PCNS tells the NMC how much time it needs to shut down (this is used to configure outlet off delays)
- The NMC tells PCNS about the status of the UPS
- PCNS decides when to start an OS shutdown
- PCNS can be configured to shut down the outlet group as well

edit
If "Skip outlet off delay" is not checked and the UPS finishes counting down to turn off yet the PCNS clients haven't started their OS shutdown, then try adding 120s or so to the "The command file needs this much time to complete (seconds): " under "configure shutdown"