Transfer Of A Device Definition File (DDF) Failed

[DCIM_Support]

Hi All,

Recently I have installed 2 APC UPS model Smart-UPS 3000 to our comm-room and connected to DCE version 7.2.7. The DCE is showing critical error :" Device status may be inaccurate because an attempt to transfer a device definition file (DDF) failed."

Any idea to fix this? I have fully admin log in right to those devices.

Do I need to contact multivender to update DDF ?

Thanks,

Minh

(CID:104174462)

[DCIM_Support · Accepted solution]

Minh,

Please reference knowledge base  article FA177004.  Contents of which are pasted below.

Issue:

StruxureWare Data Center Expert message "Device status may be inaccurate due to attempt to transfer DDF failed"

Product Line:

StruxureWare Data Center Expert
APC Networked Devices

Environment: 

StruxureWare Central / Data Center Expert any version
APC Networked Devices

Cause:

StruxureWare Data Center Expert uses device definition files (DDF) to understand what information to poll and how to format different information from discovered devices. During discovery of APC devices and after a firmware update of APC devices, the StruxureWare server will attempt to download DDF files from the device using FTP or SSH. If the server is unable to perform this transfer, you will see a message stating "Device status may be inaccurate due to attempt to transfer DDF failed".

Resolution:

Please be sure to enable FTP or SSH on the device itself. Make sure that any firewalls between StruxureWare and the affected device(s) are allowing the appropriate protocols and ports (20 for ftp and 21 for ssh). Also make sure that the appropriate user names, passwords, protocols, and ports are listed in StruxureWare under the device menu, SNMP device communication settings, and device file transfer settings. You can add or edit current listings. You can also create entries for ranges of devices as well as entries for specific devices.

Best Regards,

Cory

(CID:104174464)

[DCIM_Support]

Hi Cory,

Thanks for your amazing quick respond. Everything are work perfectly as should be. You save my day

Thank again for you respond.

Regards,

Minh

(CID:104174494)

[DCIM_Support]

You're welcome.

(CID:104174495)

[DCIM_Support]

I am having the same problem with a 250kW unit. I have tried to FTP into the device and SSH into it and I can log in just fine. I also created an SNMP login just for this device and tried FTP and SCP options. I am not sure what SCP is though...

I have deleted and re-added the device several times with no luck. Any additional troubleshooting options?

Regards,

J

(CID:105471643)

[DCIM_Support]

John, The error message indicates that the StruxureWare server is unable to pull a file off of the device called ddf.zip by either use FTP or SCP (Secure Copy), depending on how the network management card is configured. DCE uses the credentials to connect to the device, which are listed under: Device > SNMP Device Communication Settings > Device File Transfer Settings. The credentials may currently be applying to a range of values. Try adding a new setting to the screen that is specific to the IP address of this device with the admin credentials of the network management card. Right click on the device and then select Request Device Scan under the Device View pane. If it still does not come in, please ensure that the network has the appropriate ports open from the Data Center Expert server to the device. Regards, Cory

(CID:105471650)

[DCIM_Support]

My issue still isn't fixed. However, I made progress. You mentioned it and I overlooked it, you need to enable FTP OR SCP. Not both. Once I did this, I rebooted the card and deleted the device in DCE. Then I re-scanned for the device. It found it with the same 'unable to retrieve DDF'. I checked the NMC log and it says in the log the file download failed twice and then on the third try "SSH/SCP: File Transfer Complete". But the alarm is still there. I clicked "Request Device Scan" and it didn't go away. Any other ideas?

(CID:105471859)

[DCIM_Support]

You will need to make sure you have listed in the "Device File Transfer Settings" the FTP username & associated FTP password for the chosen devices are listed in the section found under the "Device" drop down in the DCE Client toolbar and then choose "SNMP Device Communication Settings" and then choose "Device Transfer Settings" then within the configuration box you will need to list all of the different logins & passwords for your devices.

(CID:105471996)

[DCIM_Support]

I added the user for the device, which I logged into just fine. Even used an FTP program and accessed the device with no issues. You mention adding the FTP username and password? Where do you find the FTP username and password in the device? I see user accounts to access the device however nothing for an FTP user in the device.

(CID:105474233)

[DCIM_Support]

the FTP user/password for the device is normally the same as the Admin user/password for the devices NMC (network management card) and you "add" this information in the DCE as I listed above. (so DCE knows what user/pass to use)

(CID:105474243)

[DCIM_Support]

My issue still isn't fixed. However, I made progress. You mentioned it and I overlooked it, you need to enable FTP OR SCP. Not both. Once I did this, I rebooted the card and deleted the device in DCE. Then I re-scanned for the device. It found it with the same 'unable to retrieve DDF'.

I checked the NMC log and it says in the log the file download failed twice and then on the third try "SSH/SCP: File Transfer Complete". But the alarm is still there. I clicked "Request Device Scan" and it didn't go away.

I tried just FTP only and I get the error "...unauthorized user attempting to access the FTP interface...". How do I make the DCE server, or the apc account authorized? I don't see any options.

Any other ideas?

(CID:105471951)

[DCIM_Support]

I got fed up and changed out the Network Card. The unit HAD an AP9635CH and I swapped it for an AP9635. What is the difference?

(CID:105471972)

[DCIM_Support]

The AP9635 and the AP9635CH card are the same Network Management Cards.

(CID:105471973)

[DCIM_Support]

So I changed the card, which had an earlier (blue) GUI and everything worked great! I should have left it alone. Then I did the stupid thing and upgraded to the latest firmware which broke the card to DCE communication. I have a support ticket (#27583418) but the only solution is to send a tech out to "upgrade all the firmware on the UPS'. Which I don't think will fix the problem since the sypx v6.3.2 of the network card broke the system. What is the earlier version of the AP9635 card? So I can downgrade it? What changed in the firmware to break the network settings between DCE and the network card?

(CID:105472117)

[DCIM_Support]

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