APC 2200VA Smart UPS with SmartConnect, SMT2200C management/autoshutdown from Linux

[jjg60]

On extended power outages, there is no external internet connection and the server will corrupt files if not shutdown before UPS runs out of battery power.  My server is Ubuntu 20.04 Linux. Given the popularity of linux for servers, I was surprised not to find documentation by APC for setting this up.

Q1: My SMT2200C has a usb-a female port, so does my Ubuntu server.  So I purchased a "USB to USB Cable Type A Male to Male USB 3.0" cable to connect the 2 devices.  Is this correct, or do I need a hub in between?

Q2: Is apcupsd the recommended application for this?

Q3: Is the minimal configuration to /etc/apcupsd/apcupsd.conf is to make DEVICE blank

since default is already "UPSCABLE USB" ?

If I run the command "apctest" I get the following error:

2022-02-07 09:41:36 apctest 3.14.14 (31 May 2016) debian
Checking configuration ...
sharenet.type = Network & ShareUPS Disabled
cable.type = USB Cable
mode.type = USB UPS Driver
Setting up the port ...
apctest FATAL ERROR in apctest.c at line 319
Unable to open UPS device.
If apcupsd or apctest is already running,
please stop it and run this program again.
apctest error termination completed

I would appreciate a pointer to documentation for setting my SMT2200C for extended power outages.

[BillP]

@jjg60 

You can use APCUPSD or configure the built in battery settings

In the screenshot below I connected SMT1500C to Ubuntu 20.4 via USB

I see the battery icon in the upper right 

To configure I select the battery and click on the charged status - power settings - Auto suspend 

I can see the status of the UPS using the power app.

For assistance with apcupsd I recommend using the apcupsd list group. There you can search for answers and post questions. 

http://www.apcupsd.org/wordpress/email-lists/

[jjg60]

Thank you.

When you say "You can use APCUPSD or configure the built in battery settings":

- Does the battery setting kick in when a ubs cable is connected to SMT2200C from Ubuntu 20.04 or does this rely on APCUPSD?

  I ask because the man page for APCUPSD does not describe any GUI. So I'm guessing it is built into Ubuntu 20.04.  Also, your screen shot shows UPS details and History and statics while mine only shows suspend options.

- if I use APCUPSD, how do I disable battery so it does not conflict with /etc/apcupsd/apcupsd.conf

  For example: power setting has default "automatic shutdown on battery after 20 minutes" but apcupsd.conf

   has default of BATTERYLEVEL 5.

  If I disable "automatic suspend" on the power setting under battery, will this leave APCUPSD alone or are they connected?

- The power setting under battery does not have a power down when battery level is at xxx, it only has a time delay after on power.

   A server under high load can consume 1600 watts while a server under low load can consume 150watts.  So a time-based suspension is a poor choice for a server. Does the ubuntu battery / power settinghave any battery level trigger?  If not, then APCUPSD is the only choice and I need to know how to prevent the battery setting from interfering.

- Does Schneider APC support Linux servers using their UPS or does APC wash their hands of linux server and leave it to Sourceforge mailer list?

[BillP]

@jjg60 

The UPS would be visible once connected via USB. If it is not and you have install APCUPSD it may not appear. I know with Windows OS APCUPSD using it own USB driver so the UPS is not visible to native power options. 

If I have time I will install APCUPSD and report back. 

What I did was install Ubuntu 20.04. Connect the USB cable between the PC and UPS. In the upper right I see see the battery. If I click on it and select settings I can configure the automatic suspend. I see form your screenshot you have not enabled automatic suspend as it is listed as off. 

To view the UPS I selected applications and searched for power statistics. From that window I selected UPS. 

[Steph64]

look this tutorial

https://techexpert.tips/apc/powerchute-network-shutdown-installation-on-linux/