noob Q on UPS communication

[Anonymous user]

Hi

We have been using a Smart-UPS 1500 for several years. It is quite obvious that the device is intended to regulate normal power and supply battery power during a mains power failure to several devices (it has 4 power sockets). However, there is only one communication port available.

What are you supposed to do when you have more than one server attached to the device? When battery power is due to fail the scheduled shutdown sequence will allow one server, the one that is connected to the UPS via the communication port to shutdown gracefully.

I can't see anything in the documentation that came with the UPS to explain how this can be achieved. Anyone know how this can be done?

For the most part we have been lucky in that the majority of power outages have been covered by the remaining battery time and power to the servers has remained uninterupted. I don't want to push my luck, though.

Thanks!

[BillP]

Depending on the type of UPS, you have a few options.

• For any Smart UPS, the easiest and most cost effective option is to use a UPS Network Management Card installed in the SmartSlot of the UPS and install PowerChute Network Shutdown on any clients attached to the UPS. The UPS Network Management Card talks to the PowerChute software on your servers via the network and keeps them updated on the UPS status. Based on options that you configure, you can determine when to shut all or some of the clients down to stagger the shutdowns. This is nice because it uses your existing network connections, presuming they are present, and then you get all the other bells and whistles of the Network Management Card product. This does not work though on SMC/SC products.

• For older Smart UPS that have a DB-9 style serial port, we offered a serial expander option in 2 or 7 port models that provided more serial ports for the UPS. This required lots of extra serial cables and provided "basic" or "simple" shutdown for 6 of the clients and then one "advanced" port which is what your UPS has available. You then install PowerChute Business Edition in simple signaling mode on the clients to interpret the signaling over the serial cable. With the one client on the advanced port, this client can change settings on the UPS, view status information, etc because simple signaling clients cannot do that. Smart signaling refers to two way communication between UPS and computer/client and simple is one way voltage signals from the UPS to client/computer. This can get expensive and messy with the cables and is pretty much a legacy solution that I would not recommend unless doing the first option for some reason. This is also not supported on newer UPSs with the prefix SMT/SMX or SMC either.

If you give me the exact model of the UPS from the white sticker, I can verify the options. Hope this helps.

P.S. - if you decide on a Network Management Card, one of our users here stevejenkins was nice enough to put a blog together with some helpful information -> HowTo: Configure Low Battery Duration and PCNS to Shut Down with an APC SmartUPS | Steve Jenkins' Bl...

So, the Network Management Card is the most flexible and easiest option for any Smart UPS really.

[Anonymous user]

Mark:

+1 to everything Angela said. Hopefully you have the same SmartUPS 1500 that I do -- with a "Smart Slot" in the rear of the device. If that's the case, then grab a used AP9617 Network Management Card on eBay for cheap, then do as Angela suggests. She's absolutely right: the NMC is indeed the most flexible and easiest option for any SmartUPS. You're not getting anywhere NEAR the potential performance from your UPS without one!

[Anonymous user]

Thanks a lot to both of you for your very helpful replies.

The rear of the device has a USB and serial port. The model number is: DLA1500RMI2U

[BillP]

Ok, so you can only use USB OR serial on that device, not both.

Your UPS will support both a Network Management Card (UPS Network Power Management Cards – Remote Monitoring | APC) OR the Serial Interface Expander options (Interface Expanders – Additional UPS Management Cards | APC).

Please note AP9617/18/19 will work for UPS Network Management Cards but they are an older platform and are not currently developed on for bug fixing and new features. AP9630/31 is the current offering.

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Thanks a lot.