pcnsconfig.ini error/warning in event log with PCNS 4.4

[pgpc_apc]

On each reboot of a Win 2019 server or restart of the pcns service, pcns 4.4 logs the following error twice:

ERROR: The ini file is missing shutdownCommandFile key from section Shutdown

Adding the empty key "shutdownCommmandFile = " to the Shutdown section in psnconfig.ini causes the error to be replaced by a warning:

WARNING: The invalid key shutdownCommandFile should be deleted from section Shutdown in the ini file

We are running pcns 4.2 on a Win 2008 server, which has an empty shutdownCommandFile = key in its pcnsconfig.ini, file and it does not give the warning it its event log.  There is nothing in the "PowerChute Configuration File - Using pcnsconfig.ini" manual that explains why the error/warning is being generated or, more importantly, how to get rid of it.

Any help in eliminating the error/warning messages would be appreciated.

[BillP · Accepted solution]

Hi,

Sorry for the inconvenience. That is a know issue as listed in the PCNS 4.4 release notes (see atteched PDF). 

To resolve the issue add the line shutdownCommandFile = to the pcnsconfig.ini file [shutdown] section 

[Shutdown]
shutdownCommandFile =

Do Not include the quotes as shown in the release notes. If the quotes are added you will see the warning. 

WARNING: The invalid key shutdownCommandFile should be deleted from section Shutdown in the ini file

[Momo-70]

Hi,

I am running PCNS 4.4.3 VMWare Appliance.

I am running it on a VMWare ESXI 8.0 Host.
I am aware that in the PCNS Manual it says that it isnt officially supported on anything higher than VMWare ESXI 7.0, but we already had ESXI 8.0 with new servers in place, before buying the APC UPS, so I have run the PCNS VM Appliance up on it anyway, as I didn't have much choice.

It is actually working fine on the ESXI 8.0, the only issue I have is that in the Event Log I get the following error message:

ERROR: The ini file is missing shutdownCommandFile key from section Shutdown

I am aware that it is a known issue in the release notes and I have added the "shutdownCommandFile =" to the shutdown section of pcnsconfig.ini.

Now when I add the line into the ini file and reboot the VM, the error message no longer appears in the Event Log.

However what has been happening, is that for some unknown reason, the "shutdownCommandFile = " line that I add gets removed/deleted from the pcnsconfig.ini by itself at some unknown point, whilst the PCNS VM Appliance is running, and then when the VM is restarted again, the error msg reappears in the Event Log again.

I have tried adding the "shutdownCommandFile =" line to both the pcnsconfig.ini and the pcnsconfig_backup.ini, but the same happens to both files and the "shutdownCommandFile =" is removed/deleted from both files at some unknown point, and the error msg reappears in the Event Log whenever the VM is restarted.

Whilst the PCNS VM Appliance is continually running and never shutdown/restarted, after adding in the "shutdownCommandFile =" line and starting it backup, the Error msg doesn't appear in the log.
Once restarted the error msg returns and when I check the "shutdownCommandFile =" is gone from the pcnsconfig & backup ini files.

I have also stopped the PowerChute service after the VM appliance has been running for a while, with no error msg in the Event Log and have checked the pcnsconfig * backup files and the "shutdownCommandFile =" is gone.

Does anyone know what is causing this line to be removed/deleted from the ini files on its own, as having to continually add it back in every time I restart the VM appliance is just frustrating?

Thanks.