Symmetra PX48 - Modular Distribution

DCIM_Support · ‎2020-07-05

This question was originally posted on DCIM Support by Richard Crowe on 2019-01-30

Is anyone able to assist in how to correctly model a Symmetra PX48 UPS with modular power distribution within DCO?

I have used the Genomes

Symmetra PX All-In-One 48kW Scalable to 48kW, 400V (PDU part) 1 of 2

APC Symmetra PX All-In-One 48kW Scalable to 48kW, 400V (UPS part) 2 of 2

And tried associating the UPS

It seems to only display the peak/kw for the first module in the breaker panel. I have tried many different ways and cannot manage to get the measured data to display for each of the 6 installed breaker modules.

Also seeing the same issue on our PX160 UPS with Power module distribution.

If anyone can provide some guidance it would be greatly appreciated.

DCIM_Support · ‎2020-07-05

This answer was originally posted on DCIM Support by Jef Faridi on 2019-01-30

Hi Richard,

I think that's the way UPS reports data to DCO (from DCE), it appears it dose not have modules info as PDU dose.

In our data center we have a similar all-in-one/Symmetra setup (UPS+PDU), individually being monitored by DCE:

If I go ahead and associate the monitored UPS to a PDU model in DCO, then I can see:

However, if instead I associate the monitored PDU device to the PDU model in DCO, then the sensor data for each module would be mapped (for this modular PDU):

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(edited)

Possible workaround(s)

A possible workaround might be to use the Sensor Mapping feature (Branch circuit monitoring) to manually configure the power readings on each modules. In Planning Device Association mode, (after you have associated the device/UPS to PDU), right click on PDU > and select Sensor Mapping:

and then start your mappings, here is an illustration of my mappings for "Module 1" (phase 1, 2 and 3):

now I can see the configured power readings in PDU's Power>Breaker Panel:

Another possible workaround might be, in DCE to change the device type for the UPS to PDU. Then associating this "PDU" to a PDU model in DCO, most likely may bring the expected readings for each module. I have not tested this, so I'm not sure about the outcome.

Kind regards

DCIM_Support · ‎2020-07-05

This answer was originally posted on DCIM Support by Ed Tarento on 2019-01-31

Hi Richard

In addition to Jef's response, is your issue that the PX48 appears to DCE as both a UPS and a PDU but in DCO it can be either one or the other but not both?

This challenge was address some years ago in Australia re-using a previously built bespoke application for a new purpose, i.e. read the PDU data from the UPS, repackage it and present it as a new device to DCE. I.e. DCE now monitors 2 devices (yes, 2 DCE nodes per UPS), the UPS (unchanged) and a new PDU device, both of which can then be associated to the relevant DCO device. The particular customer had dozens of PXnn UPSs so was able to justify the investment in the solution.

If thats of interest let me know

I hope that helps

Ed

DCIM_Support · ‎2020-07-05

This comment was originally posted on DCIM Support by Richard Crowe on 2019-01-31

Hi Ed,

the PX48 has one network connecten to DCE that provides both UPS and circuit breaker module data, this is also the case for our PX160. The DCE component works fine in this format and reports all the correct data.

The issue is that DCO forces you to use a seperate PDU and UPS for the PX48 and the PX160 (Part1 and Part 2) in doing this you cannot assocaite the single UPS from DCE to both devices. If you associate the UPS to the PDU you only get the readings from the first installed circuit breaker module.

I would think that the PX48 all in one unit should have a single Genome in DCO that reflects both the UPS and modular PDU as per the physical device.

To fix the PX160 could an additional network card be used in the modular Distribution for a PX160 to overcome this issue?

Therese are both native Schneider products installed by Schneider so there should be no reason for any bespoke workaround and additional investment just to get them to work correctly within DCO?

Richard

DCIM_Support · ‎2020-07-05

This comment was originally posted on DCIM Support by Ed Tarento on 2019-01-31

Understood and agreed. I share your frustration and desire for what appears to be an easy solution. I suspect you're travelling down the same road of disbelief our customer had when hearing of the limitation. But its said "necessity is the mother of invention" so we made a work around.

May I suggest you add your name to the Feature Request for complete DCO support for DCE monitored Symmetra PX UPS/PDU systems.

Regards

Ed

DCIM_Support · ‎2020-07-05

This comment was originally posted on DCIM Support by Jef Faridi on 2019-01-31

Hi Richard,

I think basically in DCE all-in-one UPS device(s) is being discovered as one device, but this "limitation" has been resolved in the cloud based EcoStruxure IT Gateway (EcoStruxure IT Help), that works differently and it may discover the all-in-one unit as two separate devices (UPS and PDU) sharing the same IP. As a new feature in latest version(s) of DCO, it would be possible to integrate the EcoStruxure IT and get those measurements in.

Kind regards

DCIM_Support · ‎2020-07-05

This comment was originally posted on DCIM Support by Richard Crowe on 2019-01-31

I have logged a feature request and hopefully Schneider will look at getting their own products working correctly.

Ed,

I am interested in how the other customer implemented the workaround if you can share?

Richard

DCIM_Support · ‎2020-07-05

This comment was originally posted on DCIM Support by Ed Tarento on 2019-02-01

A product called the Multi-Protocol Converter (MPC) was developed by a Schneider Electric Australia partner and was enhanced to address this very situation. It monitors various devices and formats, including via SNMP from Symmetra UPSs and can expose selected pieces of info, like just the PDU readings from the Symmetra, on a dedicated IP address so DCE sees it as a new device, like a 277 Floor Mount PDU. So DCE still see the Symmetra as it did (thats unchanged) , but it now also has another device which looks to DCE like a 277 Floor Mount PDU. Both the UPS and PDU are then available to DCO as monitored devices, can be associated and the measurements you'd expect to see on both are available.

I believe the software is owned by SE Australia (not sure about this?) and might not be available for a fee or free of charge (has nothing to do with me). With the little that I understand about your particular situation, another solution that might be cheaper, easier and faster is to procure a 277 floor mount PDU, take the breakers out of the UPS and put them in the 277.

If however you have dozens of Symmetras, then a single MPC, which can handle many UPSs, may make economic sense.

The MPC will require a server or VM with a Linux OS. I’m not sure if there's support for the MPC. All of these things would need to be checked with SE Australia.

In any event, the principles in this MPC solution as they relate to this issue, could be copied to your particular situation, perhaps for a fraction of the cost and effort.

Hope that helps

Cheers

Ed

DCIM_Support · ‎2020-07-05

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