Wich Powerchute version is the right for a mixed location setup ?

[BillP]

Hi all,

As you can see I'm a newbie, and maybe this question has been asked before, but I could not find an answer ... So it would be great if anyone can show me the way ...

So, what's the situation. We have for the moment 10 different locations equipped with a SURTD3000XLI APC UPS. This will become over 100 locations in one year or so, so we want to do this right from the start on.
On each location we have one Server Windows 2008 and a few (2 to 5) pc's running Win XP or 7.

All these locations are permanently connected to our main site via VPN.

Ideally, I was thinking about one server that sits here on our main site to manage all the ups's. If a power fail occurs, this server takes care of the shut-down of all computers (including that server) at that specific location. If the power comes up again, we would boot everything after 30min's or so via WOL (which we use now already).
We don't want to use our local server to control the shutdown procedure, because we want to shut him down as fast as possible too. We need to preserve as much power as we can on the UPS, because these locations are shops and we need to keep the power for the cash registers. The server is not that important at a moment off power failure.

Unfortunately it isn't very clear for me what version of Powerchute we need do do what ...
The UPS itself is provided with Powerchute server 1.0.
I think PowerChute Business Edition is a version where needs to be paid for. And I think PowerChute Network Shutdown serves when you have multiple UPS's on one location that need to be managed.

If the first scenario is not possible, we are willing to keep the local server alive so he can serve for the shutdown procedure. But still then it isn't very clear which version to use best.


So I really don't need to know what version does what. I just want to know if there is a solution that is as cheap as possible and does the trick. Preferably as centrally managed as possible.

Extra info: It's no problem for us to shutdown the computers on the location via a script. So we don't really need an agent on every computer.
And we use Infrastruxure Central 6.0.1 on our main site, but I don't think this will get us further.

I am really looking forward to your reply('s)
Thx in advance!
Tom,E

[BillP]

Hi Voidstar,

thx for the quick reply.
Yes we work with NMC's in the ups's, so what you propose should work.
But for the moment we have no knowledge of SNMP scripting, and I think you suggest to use that to check the status of the UPS from our main location?
I will be setting up a test environment here at the office and see how far we can get with PCNS.
So, within a few weeks (just being realistic ...) we know if everything was clear.

And thx for the EDIT info, could get useful !

Tom,E

[BillP]

Hi again,

I have installed PCNS on a test pc. Seems ok to do the job.
Unfortunately, I think the configuration can only be done manual via the buttons in the application?

This means we have to repeat this for every shop where we install this. I saw that there is a file m11.cfg in the C:\Program Files\APC\PowerChute\group1 folder. I assume that the configuration is kept in here?

Does anyone know if there is a way to adapt the ip addresses etc. that are in there? This way we can copy the file from an installed shop, do minor changes (for example correct ip addresses) and paste it in a new shop.
Or is there another way to automate the configuration?

Regards,
Tom,E

[BillP]

Tom,

I hope this kbase helps -> http://nam-en.apc.com/cgi-bin/nam_en.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=3075

JonPro

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hi all,

As you can see I'm a newbie, and maybe this question has been asked before, but I could not find an answer ... So it would be great if anyone can show me the way ...

So, what's the situation. We have for the moment 10 different locations equipped with a SURTD3000XLI APC UPS. This will become over 100 locations in one year or so, so we want to do this right from the start on.
On each location we have one Server Windows 2008 and a few (2 to 5) pc's running Win XP or 7.

All these locations are permanently connected to our main site via VPN.

Ideally, I was thinking about one server that sits here on our main site to manage all the ups's. If a power fail occurs, this server takes care of the shut-down of all computers (including that server) at that specific location. If the power comes up again, we would boot everything after 30min's or so via WOL (which we use now already).
We don't want to use our local server to control the shutdown procedure, because we want to shut him down as fast as possible too. We need to preserve as much power as we can on the UPS, because these locations are shops and we need to keep the power for the cash registers. The server is not that important at a moment off power failure.

Unfortunately it isn't very clear for me what version of Powerchute we need do do what ...
The UPS itself is provided with Powerchute server 1.0.
I think PowerChute Business Edition is a version where needs to be paid for. And I think PowerChute Network Shutdown serves when you have multiple UPS's on one location that need to be managed.

If the first scenario is not possible, we are willing to keep the local server alive so he can serve for the shutdown procedure. But still then it isn't very clear which version to use best.


So I really don't need to know what version does what. I just want to know if there is a solution that is as cheap as possible and does the trick. Preferably as centrally managed as possible.

Extra info: It's no problem for us to shutdown the computers on the location via a script. So we don't really need an agent on every computer.
And we use Infrastruxure Central 6.0.1 on our main site, but I don't think this will get us further.

I am really looking forward to your reply('s)
Thx in advance!
Tom,E