DCE configuration

    Assigning or moving devices to device groups You can assign devices to a device group, change the device group assignments by moving devices from one user-defined group to another, or assign devices to multiple device groups. Moving devices from one group to another group In the Device Groups view, select the group in which the devices are currently located (including Unassigned). In the Device View, highlight the devices you want to move. Note To move a NetBotz Appliance, and its supported devices, highlight its main listing; if you highlight a device associated with a NetBotz Appliance, a copy of that device will move, and a copy remains with the NetBotz Appliance listing. Drag the selected devices from the Device View to the desired group in the Device Groups view. Note When devices are assigned to a subgroup, those devices are included in its parent group, as well. Assigning devices to multiple groups In the Device Groups view, select a group that contains one or more of the devices you want to assign to multiple device groups. Note For devices in the Unassigned group, move them to one of the groups in which you want those devices assigned, then select that group. In the Device View, highlight the devices you want to copy to another group. Hold the Ctrl key down, and drag copies of the selected devices from the Device View to the desired group in the Device Groups view, including all devices associated with a NetBotz Appliance, when that appliance's main listing is selected. Note For a device associated with a NetBotz Appliance, you can drag a copy to another group without using the Ctrl key. Repeat until all devices are in the correct device groups.  

Automatically schedule or manually create backup files for your server's configuration data, or its configuration and repository data, and use a backup file to manually restore the server data, if needed. Note: If a server backup fails, an email is sent to the Data Center Expert Administrator users that include an email address as part of their user credentials. Backup entries are listed by Destination Server, with information about each entry. Backup Type: what data will be saved in backup files: Full: all server data (configuration and repository) will be saved in every backup file. Synchronized: only changes to server data (configuration and repository) will be saved after the initial backup file. Configuration: only server configuration data will be saved in every backup file. You can add a backup to the list, or edit, remove, or manually start the backup entry selected in the list. Click Stop Backup to stop a manually-started backup. An backup-cancelled email will be sent to the Data Center Expert Administrators that include an e-mail address as part of their user credentials. Add backup At least one backup entry should be defined and used to create scheduled backup files for the configuration data on the server, or its configuration and repository data. Select System > Server Administration Settings > Server Backup/Restore. Select to edit or add a backup entry. To edit a backup entry, select the listed entry and click Edit Backup. To add a backup entry, click Add Backup and select Windows Repository or NFS. Configure the Windows Share or NFS Share settings. If no subdirectory is specified, data will be stored in the share's root directory. For Windows Share, specify the NT LAN Manager authentication level: NTLM, NTMLi, NTLMv2, NTLMv2i, NTLMSSP, or NTLMSSPi. For NFS, select the transport protocol, UDP or TCP, and the NFS version: v2.0, v3.0, v4.0, or v4.1. Select whether you want to backup all server configuration and repository data for each backup (Full), just the changes to the server configuration and repository data for each backup (Synchronized) or just the configuration data (Configuration). Click Test Mount. An error message will occur if the share settings are defined incorrectly. Click Next to edit the schedule used to automatically backup the server data, or Finish. Note: The default schedule settings will cause a backup to occur every Friday at 1:00 AM. In the "Backup Schedule" display, select the days on which a backup will occur, and the time it will occur on those days. Note: To delete a backup entry, select it in the list and click Remove Backup. Restore from backup Note: The upgrade to Data Center Expert 7.9.0 requires a fresh install.            See Complete upgrade process for DCE 7.9.0 You use the Restore from Backup wizard to select a backup file to be used to restore the Data Center Expert server. Choose the backup location type. Select Existing Backup Location to locate a backup file at a location that has been used to save your Data Center Expert server data, and select the location of the backup file from the list. Select New Backup Location to locate a backup file from an archived location, a location where the current backup files are not being saved. For Windows Share, specify the NT LAN Manager authentication level: NTLM, NTMLi, NTLMv2, NTLMv2i, NTLMSSP, or NTLMSSPi. For NFS, select the transport protocol, UDP or TCP, and the NFS version: v2.0, v3.0, v4.0, or v4.1. Select whether you want to backup all server configuration and repository data for each backup (Full), just the changes to the server configuration and repository data for each backup (Synchronized), or just the configuration data (Configuration). In the Restore from Backup display, select the backup file you want to use to restore the server. The server will restart as a result of the restore process. You can log on after the server finishes rebooting, which can take a few minutes.

  Explained below are the different available options to push multiple settings to multiple APC Network Management Card (NMC) type devices, also known as mass configuration.   Background Data Center Expert is one of the tools users can use to push settings to multiple devices at one time to APC Network Management Card (NMC) type devices. The NMC is the APC device's interface to your Ethernet network. Some APC products support optional NMCs and others come pre-installed with an NMC. APC NMC type devices include APC single and 3-phase UPS, cooling units, Environmental Monitoring Units, NetBotz Rack Monitor 200, and Rack Power Distribution Units (PDU). Two generations of NMC exist today referred to as NMC1 and NMC2. Data Center Expert is able to support both. The NMCs are available in two major form factors - those you can install in a UPS SmartSlot and those that are referred as "embedded" or "mini" inside of devices and are not typically removable unless otherwise specified. The embedded versions are based on the following UPS SmartSlot NMCs listed below in Table 1 along with additional details pertinent to mass configuration. Each NMC with v3.X firmware or higher contains a file called config.ini. It is an INI file which holds all of the settings available on the NMC. provides a graphical user interface to modify this file, change settings, save templates, and to push to multiple devices at one time. Earlier firmware versions of NMC1 contained all device settings, including usernames and passwords. This was later changed for security reasons in NMC1 3.X as well as NMC2 all versions.  Table 1 NMC Generation UPS NMC SmartSlot SKUs APC Operating System (AOS) Versions User Configuration User config contained in config.ini file? NMC1 AP9617, AP9618, AP9619 1.X, 2.X, 3.X (1) Administrator (1) Single Device level (1) Single Read Only level Only usernames. Passwords can be pushed only. NMC2 AP9630, AP9631, AP9635 5.X, 6.X v5.X (1) Administrator (1) Device level (1) Read Only level v6.X (1) Super User Multiple Administrators Multiple Device level users Multiple Read Only level users Multiple Network-Only level users v5.X Only usernames. Passwords can be pushed only. v6.X Only Default User Settings Remaining user management (add/remove/change) done via .csf file More detailed info in APC knowledge base FA176542   Configuration Type   The "APC SNMP Device Configuration" menu offers two options as shown below: 105457728_547x250_360038796594.png Standard device configuration settings   Select this option for mass configuration of non-user type settings on NMC type devices. This includes settings such as email recipients for alarm notifications (those configured directly on the devices), device description and name, DNS servers, domain name, and any other settings that you would like to have the same across multiple devices in your environment. v3.X and v5.X username configuration can also be completed through this option. Passwords can be pushed to devices through this option but will report an error or incomplete configuration. Detailed information on why is available in the APC knowledge base, article ID FA156151 and FA158360. Once you select this option you are presented with the following choices: 105457808_537x400_360038796594.png Configure Devices - This option is designed for a one time mass configuration of device settings. Create a Template - This option is designed for setting template creation which is optimal for configuration settings that need to be pushed frequently, such as for new devices added to the user's environment. Edit a Template - Edit an existing template that was already created and saved on Data Center Expert previously. A list of saved templates are available for the user to select and edit. Configure Devices from a Template - Select which devices to apply and push a template to. When configuring devices or creating a template, the user is presented with a screen where he or she must select the device(s) to configure or the device to base their template on. Upon selecting one or more devices and choosing the Retrieve Device Settings option, Data Center Expert will retrieve the device's config.ini file either by FTP or SCP. (You may notice the config.ini was "last retrieved" prior to now. Make sure to select Retrieve Device Settings for the most up to date config.ini.) Note: Use the Device File Transfer Settings option to verify FTP or SCP settings are accurate for the device(s) if Retrieve Device Settings fails. After selecting the configuration source(s), the user must select one or more devices as the destination. After doing so, the user is presented with a graphical user interface to modify config.ini file settings. See below. 105457810_613x400_360038796594.png   Expand each section as needed in order to configure your device(s) or create your template. Double click or highlight and press "Edit" on each setting you'd like to modify. A dialog box will pop up allowing you to select or enter a value. Keep in mind, the settings shown here are settings located directly on the APC Network Management Card devices rather than anywhere on the DCE Server. After modifying the settings you wish to push have been modify, press Finish and the Device Configuration Status tab view will display the status of the mass configuration action(s). User configuration (APC OS versions 6.0.0 and higher, excluding v6.0.6 through v6.1.1)  Because of the new complexity of v6.X.X NMC2 firmware and how user configuration is done outside of config.ini, select this option if you'd like to add new users to an NMC2 device with v6.X firmware. After selecting this option on the Configuration Type screen, you'll be presented with the screen to select which target devices with v6.X.X firmware you would like to push a user configuration to. Note: Use the Device File Transfer Settings option to verify FTP or SCP settings are accurate for the device(s) prior to pressing Next. The next dialog box (shown below) will provide a graphical user interface for creating a .csf file. As it pertains to the Network Management Cards and .csf (Command Script Files), more information is available in the knowledge base, article ID FA176542. This knowledge base contains helpful background information on how a .csf works and what DCE is helping you to create in order to push in mass fashion to your APC Network Management Card type devices. 105458185_716x400_360038796594.png Create/Modify User Select this option to create or modify a user. 105458188_600x400_360038796594.png The options you'll find on this screen are all options and user preferences available at the user level. Notes:  All usernames are case sensitive. They cannot be renamed in case of typo or other change. Advanced Options item use is designated for advanced users or by direction of DCIM technical support.   Modify Super User 105458189_600x400_360038796594.png The Super User is a new user available in v6.X Network Management Card firmware. It is modeled after "root" within Linux systems. The Super User has full control of the NMC2. Note: This user cannot be renamed, locked, or deleted. It can, however, be disabled. Detailed information on user types, including Super User, are located in knowledge base article ID FA170552. Note: Advanced Options item is designated for advanced users or by direction of DCIM technical support.   Modify Default User Settings 105458193_600x400_360038796594.png This is a complimentary function to creating/modifying users, establishing default user preferences. It acts as new user template which is especially helpful when adding users in bulk to the system. There are two main features for the default user settings: Determine the default values to populate in each of the fields when the new users are created. These values can be changed before the settings are applied to the Network Management Card(s). For remote users (user accounts not stored in the system that are remotely authenticated such as RADIUS), these are the values used for those that are not provided by the authenticating server. For example, if a RADIUS server does not provide the user with a temperature preference, the value defined in this section will be used. Note: Advanced Options item is designated for advanced users or by direction of DCIM technical support.   Delete Existing User 105458194_409x150_360038796594.png This option allows you to delete an existing user account from the device(s). You must know the username of the account you wish to delete. If you do not know it, you can access the device(s) directly to verify.   Add Custom Command 105458195_409x150_360038796594.png Add Custom Command option is intended for advanced users or by direction of DCIM technical support. It allows the user to add a custom command to the .csf file which is created and pushed to devices by Data Center Expert.    NOTICE: It is important to follow these instructions as written.  

Define how the server will use a web browser to communicate with the device or devices selected by Device Launch Settings, a right-click option in the Device and Map Views.   The Data Center Expert server uses these settings to connect to the web interface at any monitored device (Launch to Device, a right-click option in the Device View and Map view), and to connect to the Advanced View interface at any monitored NetBotz Appliance (Launch Advanced View, a right-click option in the Device View and Map view).   You specify the username and password used to automatically log in to the web interfaces of APC SNMP devices with the following Network Management Card and firmware revisions:   rPDU with Network Management Card firmware revision 3.7.1 and higher. APC SNMP devices with a Network Management Card (AP9617, AP9618, or AP9619) with firmware revision 3.7.0 and higher. APC SNMP devices with a Network Management Card (AP9630, AP9631, AP9635) with firmware revision 5.1.0 and higher. Note: You cannot automatically login to the web interfaces of APC SNMP devices monitored by NetBotz Appliance versions 320, 420, and 500.   When Use the Internal Web Browser when Launching to Devices is selected in the Client Preferences option of the File menu, you can double-click the device, or select the right-click option Launch to Device, to automatically login to the web interface of devices that use basic authentication without being prompted for credentials.   HTTP: Select the HTTP protocol for browser communication. HTTPS: Select the security-enhanced HTTPS protocol for browser communication. Port: Specify the port used for browser communication at a selected device: 80 is the default for HTTP; 443 is the default for HTTPS. Username: Specify the username used to login to the device. Password: Specify the password used to login to the device.

Use this option to manage the Device Definition Files (DDFs) that the server uses to access information about the environmental, power, and cooling sensors at supported SNMP devices. Each DDF file is designed to provide information about sensors for a particular product set from a specific manufacturer, and contains only the OIDs directly related to that product's capabilities. Go to Device > SNMP Device Communication Settings > Device Definition Files DCE_DDF_360038795854.PNG Element Description Device Definition Files Lists the DDFs already installed at the Data Center Expert server. Remove Click to delete a selected DDF from the list. Note: Deleting a DDF will affect what sensors the SNMP devices related to that DDF will report. Add/Update Definitions Click to access the wizard used to add or update DDF files, when available from APC.  

You must have a valid software support contract to receive the Data Center Expert 7.9.3 update file on the EcoStruxure IT Entitlements portal.  Log in and then click Software Updates. More information... If the DCE update files are not available in EcoStruxure IT Entitlements, contact your local technical support to verify your support contract and get access to the update file(s) you need. Data Center Expert release notes

    Display for Configure Devices or Create a Template actions Use this version of the "Select Configuration Source" display to select the APC SNMP device you want to use to configure other APC SNMP devices (Configure Devices action) or to create a template (Create a Template action). Element Description Filter Filter the table to list only entries that include the text you type, exactly as typed. List Select the APC SNMP device you want to use to create the new template, or to configure other APC SNMP devices directly from its settings. All APC SNMP devices monitored by the Data Center Expert server are listed. Note   In addition to standard identification information (Hostname, Type, Model, Location, and IP Address), the list also identifies when the settings for a device were last retrieved by the Data Center Expert server (Last Retrieved column), if at all (Not Retrieved). Device File Transfer Settings Click to access the "Device File Transfer Settings" display used to manage the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) or Secure Copy (SCP) access values for APC SNMPv1 and SNMPv3 devices. Retrieve Device Settings Click to force the Data Center Expert server to retrieve the most recent settings for a selected device. Note   You must retrieve the settings for a device that reports Not Retrieved as its Last Retrieved status before you can use that device. Note If a pop-up status message appears, you can click Status messages: Configuration Status view, a related information link provided below, for information about that message. Next Click to access the "Select Destination Devices" display (Configure Devices action), or the "Configure Device Settings" display (Create a Template action). Back Click to return to the "Select a Configuration Action" display.  

Use this option to manage the settings the server uses for SNMPv1 and SNMPv3 communication with its monitored SNMP devices, as well as alarm settings the server associates with those devices.   The monitored SNMP devices are listed by Hostname (or IP address), and the following information is provided for each:   Device Type Notification Policy : the notification policy the Data Center Expert server associates with alarms at an APC SNMP device. Location: the location of the device, if known. Protocol: SNMPv1 or SNMPv3. Port, Timeout, and Retries : SNMP communication settings. Last Scan Time: date and time when the Data Center Expert server last scanned a device for status information.   You can edit the Notification Policy, Port, Timeout, and Retries settings, as well as settings not identified in the list. Select one or more of the listed devices and click Edit Device Scan Settings. The following editable settings are not identified in the list:   Scan Interval (minutes) Priority Scanning Priority Scanning is a trap-based polling process that only occurs in response to traps from APC SNMPv1 devices or informs from APC SNMPv3 devices where the Data Center Expert server is defined as a trap receiver.   When an alarm occurs on the device, the device sends an SNMP trap to the DCE server. DCE receives the trap and then polls the device for alert information. Once the alert has been verified, DCE notifies users based on their notification policy.    The trap receiver value is verified / set approximately every hour on APC SNMP devices. Note: Priority scanning is not available for third party devices; the specific communication required is not available in all systems.  SNMPv1: Read and Write Community names SNMPv3: User, Authentication Protocol, Encryption Algorithm, and Authentication and Encryption Passwords If you select to edit SNMPv1 and SNMPv3 devices at the same time, no Priority Scanning, SNMPv1-specific, or SNMPv3-specific settings will appear in the "Edit Device Scan Settings" display.  

    Data Center Expert Web Client The web client provides a real-time overview of active alarms and device details for the Data Center Expert server.   The web client is available on a computer, tablet, or mobile device with an internet browser, in English only.   To access the Data Center Expert web client, you use a browser to launch to the IP address or hostname of the Data Center Expert server, and provide a valid username and password for that server.   Note: To log in to the Data Center Expert web client, a user must have at least View Access for one device group that contains a minimum of one device.   For more information, see the help in the Data Center Expert web client.  

    Removing devices from device groups You can remove devices from a group by dragging those devices from that group, or by using the Delete Devices right-click option in the Device View. Note Removing devices from a group does not delete them from Data Center Expert server. Dragging devices out of device groups When a device is assigned to multiple device groups, you will need to repeat this procedure for each device group. In the Device Groups view, select a device group to which the devices are currently assigned. In the Device View, highlight the devices you want to remove. Drag the devices to Unassigned in the Device Groups view. Note If you want to assign those devices to another group, you can drag them to that group instead of to Unassigned. Using the right-click option in the Device View When a device is assigned to multiple device groups, you will need to repeat this procedure for each device group. In the Device Groups view, select a device group to which the devices are currently assigned. In the Device View, highlight the devices you want to remove. Right-click one of those devices, and highlight the Remove the device from group option. Select the name of the group from which you want the devices moved. Note The devices will be moved back to the Unassigned group.  

    Device Configuration Status view This view provides information about the status of an ongoing APC SNMP device configuration process, or the results of the most recently completed process, if any. Note For information about the Status reported for a device, see Status messages: Device Configuration Status view. Element Description Filter Filter the table to list only entries that include the text you type, exactly as typed. List Identifies each device that was included in the configuration process, by Hostname, Model, Location, Status, and Time Completed. Configuration Progress Reports the In Progress, Completed, and Successful status for the configuration process. Configuration Results Click to access the "Configuration Results" display for a selected device that reports a date and time (Time Completed), and other than Configuration successful for its Status. Note This button is disabled for any device that was configured successfully, or for which the configuration is ongoing.  

    Managing the device groups You can create, rename, and deleted device groups. Creating a device group In the Device Groups view, right-click one of the following device groups: All Devices, to add a new group. A user-defined group, to add a subgroup to the selected group. Click Create Device Group. Enter a name for the group or subgroup, and click Finish. Assign devices to the new group by dragging and dropping devices from the Device View. Click Device Group Access to edit the user and user group monitoring and surveillance access to the device group, as needed. Renaming a device group In the Device Groups view, right-click the group or subgroup you want to rename. Click Rename Device Group. Enter a name for the group or subgroup, and click Finish. Deleting a device group In the Device Groups view, right-click the group you want to delete. Click Delete Device Group. Click Yes in the "Confirmation" display.  

  Use this option to define the global scan settings that the DCE server will use for its communication with its monitored SNMP or Modbus devices.  SNMP Element Description Scan Interval Select how much time will pass between Data Center Expert server scans for status information at a monitored SNMP device, when the Device Settings option in the "SNMP Device Communication Settings display" has Default selected for that device's Scan Interval (minutes) setting. Note: Setting the scan interval below the default value of five minutes can adversely affect performance when the Data Center Expert server is managing a large number of devices.   Modbus Element Description Scan Interval (minutes) Select how much time will pass between Data Center Expert server scans for status information at a monitored Modbus device, when the "Device Scan Settings" display in the Modbus Device Communication Settings option has Default selected for that device's Scan Interval (minutes) setting. Note: Setting the scan interval below the default value of five minutes can adversely affect performance when the Data Center Expert server is managing a large number of devices.  

    Supplemental OIDs option Use this option to add supplemental OIDs that define numeric sensors for monitored SNMP devices. Once a supplemental OID has been added, the Data Center Expert server will request it for every SNMP device, with the supplemental OID value reported only by SNMP devices that can report the sensor associated with that OID. This allows the server to monitor and provide alert notifications for the supplemental OID the same way it does for any other sensor for SNMP devices. You use the Other Numeric Sensors threshold option to configure alert threshold settings for an SNMP device that has the type of numeric sensor associated with the supplemental OID. Note  To add a supplemental OID, you need access to the Management Information Base (MIB) that defines the OIDs available to the SNMP device. Elements Description OIDs Identifies the existing supplemental OIDs. Sensor Type: The type of numeric sensor (temperature, humidity, air flow, etc.) that best matches the data reported by the OID. Unit of Measure (only available when Generic is the Sensor Type😞 The appropriate unit or measurement (degrees, seconds, volts, etc.) used when reporting the sensor data. OID: The definition of the OID to be monitored for an SNMP device (for example, .1.3.6.1.4.1.318.1.1.1.2.2.2). Description: A description of the OID (for example, UPS Temperature). Add Click to add a new supplemental OID. Remove Click to delete a selected supplemental OID.  

Use this display to edit existing thresholds for the selected device. The display lists all the settings currently defined for each option. Element Description Threshold Types Select the threshold type you want to view in the display. Search Filter the list based on text you enter in this box; only existing thresholds that contain the text you type are listed. You can broaden or narrow your search using the Boolean operators AND, OR and NOT only. When the results of a search are displayed, the background of the search field is shaded. When you clear the search field, the background shading is removed and all items are displayed. List Check-mark the previously defined thresholds that you want to edit or delete. The following information is provided for the listed threshold. Threshold: the sensors that can be configured for the threshold selected. Current Value: the most recent value reported by the sensor. Parameters: the settings defined for the threshold. Alarmed State: whether the threshold is in an alarm state. Hostname: the hostname, or IP address when no hostname is defined. Unit of Measure: the unit of measure. Name: the name of the threshold. Severity: the severity of the threshold. Label : the device label, or IP address when no label is defined. Device Model : the model, when known. IP Address: The IP address of the device. Device Type: the type of device. Notification Policy: the policy or policies with which the threshold is associated. Edit Click to edit a selected threshold.

    Modbus Device Definition Files option Use this option to manage the Device Definition Files (DDFs) that the server uses to access information about the sensors at supported Modbus devices. Each DDF file is designed to provide information about sensors for a particular product set from a specific manufacturer, and contains only the register mappings directly related to that product's capabilities. Element Description Device Definition Files Lists the DDFs already installed at the Data Center Expert server. Remove Click to delete a selected DDF from the list. You cannot delete a DDF that is preinstalled on the Data Center Expert server. Note   Deleting a DDF will affect what sensors at devices related to that DDF will report. Add/Update Definitions Click to access the wizard used to add or update DDF files, when available from APC, or stored on a local computer.  

    Use a monitored APC SNMP device's settings to configure and apply those same settings at other monitored APC SNMP devices.  Note You can use this action to configure the settings for a single APC SNMP device, by selecting it as both the source and destination device, and editing the settings you want to change at that device. Select Configure Devices and click Next. Use the "Select Configuration Source" display to select the APC SNMP device you want to use as the configuration source, and click Next. Use the "Select Destination Devices" display to select the APC SNMP devices you want to configure using settings from the selected source APC SNMP device, and click Next. Use the "Configure Device Settings" display to select, and edit, as needed, the source APC SNMP device settings to be used to configure the same settings at the APC SNMP devices selected in the "Select Destination Devices" display, and click Finish to initiate the configuration activity. Review the process of the configuration activity in the Configuration Status view.