PowerChute Network Shutdown Frequently Asked Questions

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How can I purchase PowerChute Network Shutdown licenses?

Step 1: Purchase the required number of PowerChute Network Shutdown licenses

Part Number	Description
SWPCNS1Y-DIGI	PowerChute Network Shutdown License for Virtualization and HCI, 1-Year
SWPCNS3Y-DIGI	PowerChute Network Shutdown License for Virtualization and HCI, 3-Year
SWPCNS5Y-DIGI	PowerChute Network Shutdown License for Virtualization and HCI, 5-Year
SWPCNS6Y-DIGI	PowerChute Network Shutdown License for Virtualization and HCI, 6-Year

Step 2: Download and install PowerChute Network Shutdown software (SFPCNS) directly from www.se.com/pcns
Alternatively, PowerChute Network Shutdown can be searched and downloaded from the “Software downloads” section in mySchneider Software Management portal.

Step 3: Run the PowerChute Set-Up Wizard and enter the “Activation ID” on the PowerChute licensing page. See Activate PowerChute Network Shutdown.

What happens if my PowerChute Network Shutdown license expires?

PowerChute provides a 60-day grace period after your license expires to allow you to purchase a new license.  Once you have purchased a license, update your license details in the Renew License screen of the PowerChute user interface for continued PowerChute functionality.
NOTE: PowerChute remains functional during the grace period.

If you do not update your license details during the grace period, you will no longer have access to configuration options in the PowerChute UI and the PowerChute Setup wizard – except the License screen – and shutdowns and startups will be canceled.

PowerChute cannot perform graceful system shutdown if the software is unlicensed. It is highly recommended that you renew your license to prevent potential data loss.

 

Can I return a license to reuse it?

You can return a license before uninstalling a PowerChute agent to be reused for a new agent. Returning a license will increase the Quantity associated with your Activation ID by the quantity that was returned. For example, if you returned 5 PowerChute licenses, your Quantity will increase by 5.

You can view how many licenses you have remaining in the mySchneider Software Management portal:

1. Log in to mySchneider Software Management portal.

2. You can view the total quantity, available quantity, and expiration date of the licenses associated with your Activation ID.

NOTE: When you return a license, the PowerChute agent will be unlicensed and will no longer function.

If you activated your license via online activation, you can click the Return License button in the License screen of the PowerChute user interface. When you have successfully returned a license, you can uninstall the PowerChute agent.

Note: It is not supported to return a license that was activated via Offline Activation. To reuse licenses activated offline, contact Customer Support.

Can I upgrade my PowerChute Network Shutdown version during my license period?

If you have a valid license and have PowerChute Network Shutdown v4.5 or v5.x+ installed, you can update to the latest version using the same license.

You must first return the license (see above), and then deploy the latest virtual appliance using the same license and activation ID. The license expiry date will be retained on re-activation of the license.

For server setup expansion, can I increase the license quantity during an active license?

On server setup expansion by adding virtualization/HCI nodes, you need to ensure there’s sufficient quantity associated with your PowerChute Network Shutdown license Activation ID and update the quantity in the PowerChute License page.

In case of quantity associated with the activation ID is lesser than the number of nodes being protected by the PowerChute agent, you will have to increase the associated quantity.

1. Locate and copy your activation ID from the Help > License page in PowerChute user interface.

2. Access the Licenses section in mySchneider Software Management Portal.

3. Search and locate your Activation ID in the licenses page.

4. Click on the Action associated with your Activation ID and choose Increase License Quantity.

5. Change the Update Quantity field to the new quantity needed to protect your setup. Required credits to increase the quantity is calculated and pro-rated for the remaining term period. Click on Increase Quantity.

6. Updated quantity is reflected (on page refresh) within 10 minutes on your Licenses dashboard

7. Navigate to Update Quantity in the Help > License page in PowerChute user interface. Increase the quantity to the new number & click Activate.
   Note: The quantity update requires activation of the updated license quantity. The license activation steps displayed will be the same as the original activation mechanism (online/offline).

What if I purchased a subscription I don't need yet?

If you don't immediately need to activate your PowerChute Network Shutdown subscription, simply retain the Activation ID. The subscription period only starts from when the subscription is activated by entering the Activation ID into the PowerChute Network Shutdown user interface. Therefore, there is no loss of licensing duration until activation by the end user, installer, or partner.