Getting DCE direct from Server via Switch

[nicholas.r]

We have had following installed at new site

APC StruxureWare DC Expert AP9470

Server has DCE version 7.8.1 

How do connect to via switch to get to download 7.8.1 to work laptop so we can get to all power readings and other standard features? What cable do we need for laptop to free switch port?

[APC_Steve]

Hi @nicholas.r ,

the following FAQ describes how to IP the StruxureWare DCE system and then download the client:

https://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/FA234266/

With the newest OS (also noted in the above FAQ) you will need to IP the server before being able to download the client.

If you already have access to the DCE web page, you can simply log in there and at the top of the page, there is a "Download Client" link.

Thanks,

Steve

[nicholas.r]

Thanks for reply Steve, I need to check document sent to me I think all has been IP'd  and been given sheet with all details including below 

Host min: 1xx.xxx.xx.1

Host max: 1xx.xxx.xx.254

Hosts: 1022

From what I been told can use laptop to connect to switch to hook into DCE server to connect to via webpage and download 7.8.1 - is this only way to get or can I download using 7.8.0 connection (silly question I know)?

[Gabi]

Hi @nicholas.r ,

you must download the new client version from webpage of DCE....client for 7.8.0 doesn`t work on 7.8.1(client is installed in a different folder so there is no update...you will have two versions of client installed)

on internal network of DCE you can connect in  any switch port within a straight cable and DCE automatically will assign an ip address and after that you an access http(s)://192.168.1.1 to download client 7.8.1

[nicholas.r]

Hi @Gabi 

Thanks for reply what's best cable to use? standard network cable or I do have a cable adaptor with usb and network cable end (was advised to use for reconfiguring rack PDUs)

[Gabi]

Hi @nicholas.r ,

you can connect network port from pdu to the same switch used for private network of DCE...DCE will allocate an ip address via DHCP which can be viewed on pdu display and after that login via web and change ip to static and set snmp options

also I`m using a dhcp server on my laptop to set network devices before connect to DCE

[nicholas.r]

Hi @Gabi 

Onsite trying to connect but no joy.

Tried free port on switch and laptop no connecting I need to get onto server without creating problem on my laptop normal connection so can you further advise how I do the below as it not working as when using webpage it does not work, thanks for all help so far

on internal network of DCE you can connect in  any switch port within a straight cable and DCE automatically will assign an ip address and after that you an access http(s)://192.168.1.1 to download client 7.8.1

[Gabi]

Hi @nicholas.r ,

this new DCE is configured?first step after power on is to connect a keyboard and a monitor to the server and follow the wizard

[nicholas.r]

Hi @Gabi 

Its all configured and we are trying to connect to DCE to download 7.8.1 App, connected laptop to switch and no IP being generated also tried via DCE Port diagnostics tried and and it says "Ethernet does not have a valid IP Configuration so need to to not screw up laptop but be able connect to DCE we have IP address for NIC1 on the DCE server as well

[Gabi]

Hi @nicholas.r ,

let`s take it step by step

you have to lan ports on DCE server

-on normal configuration LAN 1 is "public" meaning is connected to you internal network and have ip address according to your network

- LAN 2 is private, connected to devices and is configured by default with 192.168.1.1/255.255.248.0 and DHCP server enabled

so in normal operation if you connect a laptop on the private network should be assigned an ip address

if the DHCP server is disabled try to manually set ip address on laptop ex 192.168.1.2/255.255.248.0 and see if you can reach the server

[APC_Steve]

@nicholas.r ,

Please go through the steps outlined in the knowledge base document that I sent to you. Unlike earlier versions of DCE, you can NOT connect to the private LAN until the server is configured. You must give it an IP on the public LAN. You can then connect vie HTTPS (HTTP will not work and will not send you to the HTTPS connection). Again, you can not start configuration from the private LAN like you could in older versions. Perhaps contacting tech support directly might work for you so that they can walk you through this step by step.

Steve

[nicholas.r]

Hi @APC_Steve 

Apologies I might have confused is how this logged. Struxureware DCE was setup by Keysource, we have all IP Details as well private network as we rack PDUs are setup I need to get 7.8.1. downloaded to laptop and be able to get to data to do reporting and check and be able to pass knowledge onto other 

I may have misread that link as looked new setup

[APC_Steve]

Hi @nicholas.r ,

Understood but you still need to access the server via the public IP using a browser...not from the private LAN.

Downloading the client from the server is also mentioned in the k-base document I initially linked.

If you have the public IP and can not access it, maybe it's just as simple as what I mentioned in my last post. Earlier versions would forward you from http to https...you type the IP into a browser and it would send you to the https page. 7.9.x will not do this. You must connect on specifying https://<dce_ip>.

If you can't access it, perhaps your 3rd party installer gave you the wrong IP or se it up incorrectly.

Steve

[nicholas.r]

@APC_Steve 

Is it this section? If yes I tried and got no IP address on the ethernet and its set to "Automatic (DHCP)" (maybe I had wrong port

Alternative method for All Versions (including versions prior to 7.X):
NOTE: This will only work for a virtual appliance if a second network interface is configured for the DCE virtual appliance.
1) Connect a computer to the second network interface (GB2) port on the appliance.
2) Configure the computer for DHCP so that it can receive an IP address from the appliance.
3) The default gateway that is assigned to your computer from the DHCP server is the IP address of the appliance.
    To find the default gateway, open a command prompt > ipconfig/all > Ethernet Adapter Local Area Connection > Default Gateway.
4) Navigate to the Default Gateway by entering the IP address in a web browser.  The DCE web interface should load if everything is configured correctly.
5) Follow the steps from the Editing Network Settings after Configuration listed above ensuring to use the Default Gateway as the IP address to enter into the appliance. Please note that earlier versions of StruxureWare may have a slightly different menu structure.

[APC_Steve]

@nicholas.r ,

As that section states:

Alternative method for All Versions (including versions prior to 7.x  )
As I stated in prior comments:

...you still need to access the server via the public IP using a browser...not from the private LAN.

This option no longer exists as it was deemed a security issue. Please connect to the public LAN.

Steve

[nicholas.r]

@Gabi @APC_Steve #

Thanks for your help my colleague got on via NIC1 and showed where to edit the IP address on laptop to get access to, and he downloaded 7.8.1 and we are now can access DCE so thanks for support.