help with configuring NMC3 and PCNS 5.1

[rpremuz]

Hi!

We have a new APC SmartUPS X 3000 with 15.0 firmware and Network Management Card 3 (model AP9640 with su v2.5.0.6, aos v2.5.0.8, boot v1.5.1.1).

The UPS will be used to power:

• on Outlet Group 1 - some network devices (Internet router etc.)
• on Outlet Group 3 - a couple of Windows servers with APC PowerChute Network Shutdown 5.1 installed

I need help with configuring the NMC and PCNS (via web UI) for the following scenario:

• When the UPS is on battery and the runtime of the UPS drops to 10 minutes:
  - PCNS on each server initiates shutdown of the server
  - after 5 minutes Outlet Group 3 turns off (the servers needs up to 5 minutes to shut down)
• When the UPS is on battery and the runtime of the UPS drops to 2 minutes:
  - the Outlet Group 1 turns off
• When input power returns:
  - the UPS turns on Outlet Group 1 after 1 minute (which turns on the network devices)
  - the UPS turns on Outlet Group 3 after 3 minutes (which starts the servers as they are configured to start automatically after power is connected to their PSUs)
  

Which parameters should be set in Outlet Groups Configuration and Shutdown Configuration on the NMC and how to configure PowerChute event actions on PCNS installed on the servers?

Also, if the input power returns after each PCNS initiates shutdown of a server but the Outlet Group 3 is still turned on, will NMC turn off the outlet group after set 5 minutes anyway, and then turn it on after 3 minutes?

In User Guide - PowerChute Network Shutdown v5.1 - Standard I have read the Event Configuration section but I find it vague. For example, it starts with "When UPS events occur, PowerChute can be configured to log the event, notify users, execute a command file or initiate a system shutdown through the Configure Events screen." So, on a server I configured only the shutdown action for Runtime exceeded event in PowerChute, but then I noticed that when NMC loses communication with PowerChute (for example because the server is restarted), NMC initiates shutdown of all outlet groups! This is very unexpected behavior and it is not mentioned anywhere in the User Guide.

-- rpr.

[rpremuz]

I am trying to figure out the shutdown scenario given in User Guide - PowerChute Network Shutdown v5.1 - Standard, section "UPS with Outlet Groups", Example 1: Turn off Outlet Group enabled, no shutdown command file configured:

1. PowerChute reports that the UPS is on battery.

2. After the shutdown delay configured for the On Battery event has elapsed PowerChute sends a command to turn off the outlet group that PowerChute is registered with.

Where is the shutdown delay option configured? I can't find it in NMC configuration.

3. PowerChute starts the operating system shutdown sequence.

4. After a 70 second delay the operating system starts to shut down.

Is this 70 second delay hard-coded or configurable?

5. The outlet group will turn off after the Power Off Delay configured on the NMC Outlet Group configuration page has elapsed.

If this is correct, then the NMC User Guide falsely says: "Use the sequencing options to define how the UPS will respond to user-issued commands" because the turn off is not issued by a user but by PowerChute.

Can anyone clarify these details, please?

-- rpr.