Connect APC UPS Surt 6000XL VA with 2 different networks

[keaton_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 2/21/2015

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Hi everybody,

I have APC UPS Surt 6000XL VA with a Smart Network Card connected to a network 192.168.2.X (for example). I use PowerChute to shutdown the servers in the network 192.168.2.X.

I would like also to shutdown the Servers from network 192.168.3.X. Is this possible if I buy a SMARTSLOT EXPANSION CHASSIS AP9600 and install a NETWORK MANAGEMENT CARD EX AP9617 on it? I would then connect the APC to the 192.168.3.X network using the new network card.

Will I be able then to shutdown the servers from both the network?

Thx for any help,

Al

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 2/23/2015

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Hi,

Can you confirm the exact SKU of the UPS just to triple check compatibility? i.e. SURT6000XLI? It would be on a sticker on the front or back of the UPS.

Assuming it is SURT6000XLI, yes you can use an AP9600 if you can find it and add an AP9617. Though, AP9617 is older and discontinued and replaced by AP9630. So, while graceful shutdown will work today with AP9617 if that is all you're going to use it for, that card is no longer developed on nor supported with firmware updates because AP9630 is available.

[BillP]

This reply was originally posted by Bill on APC forums on 2/23/2015

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Hi,

If the server on the 192.168.3.XXX segment can access the 192.168.2.XXX segment then you do not need the AP9600 and second NMC. You can register server with the NMC across network segments.

Also, as Angela wrote you can add a AP9600 and second NMC however you should be cautious. Any changes made to either NMC e.g. low battery threshold will affect both NMC so if you use this configuration you should only use 1 of the NMC to adjust threshold for the UPS.

[keaton_apc]

This was originally posted on APC forums on 2/25/2015

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Hi thank you both for the answers.

I did not understand perfectly everything. The server 192.168.2.XXX can access 192.168.3.XXX trough a VPN but the Smart UPS has to send shutdown signal directly to 192.168.3.XXX right?

Right now the UPS is connected to 192.168.2.XXX and if it comes to power failure it shutdown the servers/virtual machines in 192.168.2.XXX.

Si I was thinking if I use the AP9600 and second a NMC with connection to 192.168.3.XXX, I will be able to shutdown the servers/virtual machines on 192.168.3.XXX.

I do not think that a secnd NMC and AP9600 will affect my UPS battery..I mean it's a small device..is it using so much energy?

[BillP · Accepted solution]

This reply was originally posted by Angela on APC forums on 2/25/2015

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The Network Management Cards send unicast messages to PowerChute Network Shutdown clients that have registered with it. As long as the two subnets can talk, there is no issue with the 192.168.2.X Network Management Card sending a unicast message to 192.168.3.X subnet (from the APC device perspective anyway). You could try installing PowerChute on a client within the .3 subnet and see if it will register with the Network Management Card in the UPS on the .2 subnet to start before you pursue adding a second, possibly unnecessary Network Management Card.

Also, Bill was trying to tell you that with two Network Management Cards, changes you make from either one may overwrite certain settings you may have made on the other i.e. some settings are saved on the UPS itself so if you change a setting within one NMC, you will see it change on the other. One example is the low battery duration setting. I think there was some misunderstanding here and he was not telling you that a second NMC would use up battery power..