Schneider Electric PowerChute User Manual

User Guide
PowerChute™ Network Shutdown v4.4.1
Standard
990-4595H-001 01/2021
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Table of Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................................................................... 1
UPS Configuration ........................................................................................................................................................ 2
Network Configuration ............................................................................................................................................... 3
UPS Configuration Options ....................................................................................................................................... 4
Network Management Card Connection ................................................................................................................... 6
Advanced UPS Setups .............................................................................................................................................. 8
Outlet Group Registration ....................................................................................................................................... 10
Network Management Card Settings ...................................................................................................................... 11
Shutdown Settings ...................................................................................................................................................... 12
UPS Shutdown ........................................................................................................................................................ 13
Shutdown Command Files ...................................................................................................................................... 14
Shutdown Settings for Advanced UPS Configurations ........................................................................................... 15
SSH Settings ............................................................................................................................................................... 17
SNMP Configuration ................................................................................................................................................... 20
SNMPv1 Configuration ............................................................................................................................................ 21
SNMPv3 Configuration ............................................................................................................................................ 22
SNMP Trap Configuration ....................................................................................................................................... 23
SNMP Data Points .................................................................................................................................................. 25
Event Configuration .................................................................................................................................................... 32
Notifications ............................................................................................................................................................. 33
Event-Driven Command Files ................................................................................................................................. 34
Shutdown Actions ................................................................................................................................................... 35
Sequenced Server Shutdown ..................................................................................................................................... 36
Sample Shutdown Scenarios ...................................................................................................................................... 37
UPS without Outlet Groups ..................................................................................................................................... 38
UPS with Outlet Groups .......................................................................................................................................... 40
PowerChute Events and Logging ............................................................................................................................... 44
Configurable Events ................................................................................................................................................ 45
Configurable Environmental Events ........................................................................................................................ 49
Non-Configurable Events ........................................................................................................................................ 50
Configuration (INI) File Events ................................................................................................................................ 54
SSH Action Events .................................................................................................................................................. 56
Java Update Events ................................................................................................................................................ 57
Critical Events in a Redundant-UPS Configuration ................................................................................................. 58
Critical Events in a Parallel-UPS Configuration ...................................................................................................... 59
General ....................................................................................................................................................................... 60
Communications Settings ....................................................................................................................................... 61
i
Table of Contents
PowerChute Agents ................................................................................................................................................ 62
PowerChute Configuration File ............................................................................................................................... 63
Java Update ............................................................................................................................................................ 64
User Interface Session Timeout .............................................................................................................................. 65
Check for Updates .................................................................................................................................................. 66
Customer Support ................................................................................................................................................... 67
Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP)............................................................................................... 68
Troubleshooting .......................................................................................................................................................... 69
Network
Browser Troubleshooting ........................................................................................................................................ 71
SSH Ac
SNMP Troubles
General Troubleshooting ......................................................................................................................................... 74
Management Card Troubleshooting ......................................................................................................... 70
tions Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................................. 72
hooting ........................................................................................................................................... 73
ii

Introduction

After installation, it is essential to configure t he software using the PowerChute Setup wizard. This ensures that PowerChute is aware of UPS critical events in order to protect
PowerChute (NMC) to provide network-based s hutdown of multiple computer systems.
In the case of a UPS critical event, the software performs a graceful, unattended system shutdown before the UPS battery is exhausted. The number of protected sy st ems is limited only by the capacity of the UPS.
View these Application Notes for detailed information on using PowerChute in specific environments.
TM
Network Shutdown (PowerChute) works in conjunction with the UPS Network Management Card
your system.
1

UPS Configuration

This section contains information on the topics below:
Network Configuration
U
PS Configuration Options
N
etwork Management Card Connection
A
dvanced UPS Setups
O
utlet Group Registration etwork Management Card Settings
N
2
PowerChute Network Shutdown: Standard User Guide

Network Configuration

PowerChute can use IPv4 or IPv6 to communicate wi th the Network Management Card(s).
IPv6 support is available only for Network Management Card 2 firmware 6.0.X or higher, and Network Management Card 3.

Select IP

If your computer has more than one IPv4 address you wil l need to select one of the available addresses. The IP address you select will be registered with the NMC a nd di splayed in the NMC user interface under Configuration ­PowerChute Clients.

IPv6 Configuration

If you are using IPv6 to communicate with the NMC(s), each network adapter on your machine will typically have several IP addresses assigned to it. Each adapter will have at least one link-local address and one global unicast address assigned to it.
Use the Unicast IP Address drop-down box to specify which address to use. The address type selected in this drop-down box must match the address type that you enter for the NMC(s) on the Network Management Card Connection page. This unicast address will be re gi stered on the NMC(s) and displayed on the PowerChute Network Shutdown Clients page of the NMC.
f
e80::88c8:3d95:bc02:74cc is an example of a li nk-local address.
2001:112:1:0:88c8:3d95:bc02:74cc is an example of a global unicast address.

Multicast Option

The NMC supports sending communication packets to an IPv6 Multicast address instead of sending unicast packets to each PowerChute agent. To use this, enable the Multicast check box and enter an IPv6 Multicast address.
The multicast address that is entered here will be re gi stered on the NMC(s) instead of the unicast address and displayed on the PowerChute Network Shutdown Clients page of the NMC. The NMC(s) will send communication packets to that multicast address.
FF0
2::1 is an example of a multicast address with link-l o cal scope so that only nodes on the same
physical network segment will receive it. I f using a link-local unicast address, you must use a multicast address with link-local scope.
FF0E::1 is an example of a multicast address with global scope and the NMC will use its global unicast
address to send the packet. If using a global unicast address you must use a multicast address with global scope.
For detailed information, please view "The Com m unications Process of PowerChute Network Shutdown" here. 3
UPS Configuration

UPS Configuration Options

For a detailed overview of which UPS’s support each confi guration, please view the “PowerChute Network Shutdown Operating Modes and supported UPS Conf i gurat i ons” Application Note here.

Single-UPS Configuration

Redundant-UPS Configuration

Redundant-UPS Configuration: Two or more UPS's of the same model protect each server. Each UPS can support the server load on its own. All UPS Network Management Cards communicate with each server that has PowerChute installed.
For detailed information, please view “Using PowerChute Network Shutdown in a Redundant-UPS Configuration” Application Note here.

Parallel-UPS Configuration

Parallel-UPS Configuration: Two or more UPS's of the same model protect the load and provide redundancy or increased capacity depending on the load. The UPS outputs are tied together so a single output goes to the load. All UPS Network Management Cards communicate with each server that has PowerChute installed.
4
PowerChute Network Shutdown: Standard User Guide Note: To use the Parallel-UPS configuration, your UPS devices must already be configured to operate in parallel mode.
For detailed information, please view “Using PowerChute Network Shutdown in a Parallel-UPS Configuration” Application Note here.

Advanced UPS Configuration

For detailed information, please view the “Using P owerChute Network Shutdown in an Advanced Redundant Setup” Application Note here.
5
UPS Configuration
The NMC uses a self enable "Accept Untrusted SSL the NMC if a self

Network Management Card Connection

Network Management Card 2 firmware v6.8.0 and higher, and Network Management Card 3 firmware v1.1.0.16 and higher uses the HTTPS protocol by default. T he default protocol for PowerChute is HTTPS which can be changed to HTTP, although it is not recommended.
The default port is 80 for HTTP, and 443 for HTTPS. Do not change this number unless you changed the port being used by your NMC.
-signed SSL certificate by default when HTTP S is enabled. You need to Certificates" to allow PowerChute to establish communication with
-signed certificate is being used by the NMC.
For Redundant and Parallel configurations, you need to enter more than one IP address to enable communications with all the relevant NMCs.
For more information on UPS configurations and supported UPS models, view the Application Note "PowerChute Network Shutdown Operating Modes and supported UPS Configurations" here.
Add each IP address using the + Add IP Address butt on. Enter the IP address of the NMC in the UPS. Click OK.
To edit an
IP address, click the icon. To delete an IP address, click the icon.

Adding a Trusted Certificate to PowerChute for NMC communication

When using the HTTPS protocol to communicate with the NMC, you must select the Accept Untrusted SSL Certificates check box. However, it is possible to create a Trusted Certificate file and add it to the PowerChute
truststore. Your NMC Security Handbook has details on the Security Wizard used to create the Trusted Certificate file with an
extension .CRT. This file is then used to create com ponents that can be uploaded to the NMC to replace the default self-signed certificate.
In order to facilitate the trusted SSL communication of PowerChute with the NMC, this Trusted Certificate file must then be added to the system Java cacerts keystore or to the PowerChutekeystore file. (You can do this using the Java keytool.exe; for details see the Java help documentation). Adding it to the cacerts keystore means it is available to all your applications as distinct from just PowerChute.
By default the PowerChute-keystore file is located in APC\PowerChute\group1. If you add the Trusted Certificate and you subsequently get a connection error with the NMC, then it could be because a) the certificate has expired, b) it is not yet valid, or c) it has been revoked. In any of these cases, you need to add a new Trusted Certificate to the PowerChute server or to upload a new valid SSL certificate to the NMC.
6
PowerChute Network Shutdown: Standard User Guide
For more information, see the PowerChute Network Shutdown Security Handbook.
The PowerChute-keystore file only exists after the f irst attempt is made to communicate with the NMC using HTTPS (by using the configuration wizard for example). For this reason, for a silent installation you must add the Trusted Certificate to the Java cacerts keystore.
PowerChute only checks the keystore when it s se rv i ce starts. After you add the Trusted Certificate, you will need to re-start the PowerChute service if it ’s already running.

NMC PowerChute Support

In NMC 2 firmware v6.8.0 and higher and NMC 3 firmware v1.1.0.16 and higher, PowerChute support is disabled by default. This may result in an error while PowerChute registers with the NMC(s). If an error is displayed, log in to the NMC UI and ensure PowerChute support is enabled.
In the NMC Web UI, you must specify a user name and aut hentication phrase before PowerChute can be enabled. You must also choose the protocol used to communicate with PowerChute (HTTP/HTTPS). NOTE: The chosen protocol must be enabled on the NMC before PowerChute communications can be established. For more information, refer to the NMC User Guide available on the APC website.
7
UPS Configuration

Advanced UPS Setups

Add UPS Setup

In an Advanced UPS configuration, a single instan ce of PowerChute Network Shutdown can monitor multiple UPS setups and initiate graceful shutdown of equipment based on different redundancy levels. Each setup can be a single UPS or a UPS group. A single UPS setup is represented by the icon. A UPS group is represented by the
icon.
For example, one setup may be a group of UPS's that are conf i gured with N+2 redundancy. Another setup may be a single UPS.
On the UPS Details page of the Setup Wizard, click the + Add UPS(s) button to create a new setup. To create a setup with a single UPS, on the Configure UP S Setup dialog choose Single UPS:
1. Enter a UPS Setup Name (with a maximum of 20 ASCII characters)
2. Click the + Add IP Address button and enter the IP address of the Netw ork Management card in the UPS. Click OK.
3. Click OK to complete Single UPS Setup.
8
PowerChute Network Shutdown: Standard User Guide
PowerChute has been tested with a total of 16 NMC s in an advanced configurat possible to configure for more than 16 NMCs in this conf iguration.
To create a setup with a group of UPS devices, choose UPS Group:
1. Enter a UPS Setup Name (with a maximum of 20 ASCII characters)
2. Click the + Add IP Address button and enter the IP address of the Netw ork Management card in the UPS. Click OK.
3. Repeat for each of the UPS devices to be added to the UPS group. A minimum of 2 IP addresses is required to set up a UPS Group.
4. Click OK to complete Group UPS Setup.
Repeat for each UPS setup required. To edit a UPS Setup, click the icon. To delete a UPS setup, click the icon.
Click the Next button to go to the next step of the Setup Wizard.
ion. However it is
For detailed information, please view the “Using P owerChute Network Shutdown in an Advanced Redundant Setup” Application Note here.
9
UPS Configuration

Outlet Group Registration

If your UPS supports outlet groups you must specif y which one the server is being powered by so that PowerChute can monitor it for shutdown events and also issue turn-off commands to that outlet group.

UPS Shutdown Behavior in Mixed UPS Environments

If your servers are being powered by a mix of outlet-aware UPS’s (e.g. SMX/ SMT) and non-outlet-aware UP S’ s (e.g. SU/ SUA) in a Redundant UPS Configuration, P owerChute only provides the option to turn off the UPS and not the outlet group.
Your servers are still protected if there is a UPS critical event or if the outlet group is commanded to shut down e.g. via the NMC User Interface.
10
PowerChute Network Shutdown: Standard User Guide

Network Management Card Settings

For Single, Redundant and Parallel UPS configurat i ons, the IP address of each NMC that PowerChute is communicating with is displayed under the UPS Configuration menu option.
For Advanced UPS configuration, each UPS Setup is displayed as a menu item and the IP address of the NMC(s) with which PowerChute is communicating is displayed under each UPS setup.
Click on the IP address to view the UPS information specific to that NMC. UPS information displayed includes:
NMC IP Address
UPS model name
UPS configuration
The NMC Host Name from the NMC's DNS settings page under Network - DNS - Configuration is also displayed. This is not the same as the UPS name that can be set under Configuration - UPS General on the NMC.
Clicking the Launch button opens the NMC user interface.
11

Shutdown Settings

The Shutdown Settings page enables you to config ure UPS turnoff and the shutdown command files.
UPS Shutdown
Shutdown Command Files
Shutdown Settings for Advanced UPS Configurati ons
12
PowerChute Network Shutdown: Standard User Guide
The default behavior for most UPS’s if they are turne d off following an on they will turn on again once input power is restored.
The Shutdown where you can change the behavior to Turn off and Stay off if required.
This is not available for an Advanced UPS Configuration that contains UPS Setups with Redundant UPS devices.
If one UPS is on battery and anoth Single UPS turn off has elapsed, then the first UPS will not be turned off.

UPS Shutdown

The default setting is Do not turn off the UPS. You can select Turn off the UPS if you want to preserve battery power. Some U PS’s do not support UPS turnoff
through PowerChute or the NMC. For these models, i t can only be done at the UPS itself. Please check your UPS documentation to ensure your model supports UPS turnoff.
If your UPS has Switched Outlet Groups, then t he Turn off the UPS Outlet Group option enables you to turn off the outlet group that supplies power to the PowerChute protected server after a critical event occurs.
-battery shutdown is that
On-Battery Shutdown Behavior setting can be found in the NMC under Configuration –

Turn Off Single UPS On Battery in a Redundant-UPS Configuration

In a Redundant UPS configuration you have the option to turn off one of the UPS’s after it has switched to battery power. This is designed to prolong the battery li fe and preserve the battery power of the UPS. If using this feature on a UPS that supports outlet groups the option "Turn off the UPS" should be enabled.
The load is still protected by the other UPS in t he configuration. After the specified delay, PowerChute will is sue a command to gracefully turn off the UPS.
er UPS switches to battery before the configur ed delay for
If the shutdown action is enabled for the On Battery event, a Multiple Critical event condition will occur if a second UPS switches to battery power (aft er the first UPS has been commanded to turn off by PowerChute). When this occurs the shutdown sequence will start after 10 seconds.
13
Shutdown Settings

Shutdown Command Files

A Shutdown Command File can be configured to run if a UPS critical event is triggered.
Full path to command file: You must specify the full path name of the command file, including the disk drive
or volume name. For Linux and Unix systems, the file should execute permissions of chmod +x [command file name].
The command file must be located in the user_files folder, or a sub-folder, in the PowerChute installation directory. If the default installation directory was chosen during installation, this location will be:
C:\Program Files\APC\PowerChute\user_files for Windows systems
/opt/APC/PowerChute/user_files/ for Linux systems
NOTE: If you are upgrading to PowerChute v4.4, any command files used in a previous version of PowerChute must be manually added to the user_files folder. If the command files are not added to the directory, you will see the below errors/warnings for the ShutdownStarting event, and all events configured to run a command file, in the Event Log:
ERROR: Event ShutdownStarting is enabled for command file execution, but an
invalid value for shutdownCommandFile is specified.
WARNING:
bad parameters. Please validate the configuration.
It is strongly recommended you validate your configuration after an upgrade.
Duration: Enter the number of seconds that the shutdown command file requires to execute.
NOTE: For Advanced UPS Configurations, if there are different command files configured for each
UPS Setup, PowerChute may need to wait for all command files to finish executing before proceeding with the final steps in the shutdown se quence. This is dependent on the timing that UPS critical events occur on each UPS Setup. PowerChute will automatically increase the Outlet Group Power Off delay or Maximum Required delay (non -outlet aware UPS) to include the combined total of the shutdown command file durat ions for each UPS Setup. This can impact the runtime available on the UPSs during a shutdown. To accommodate this, set the low battery duration on the UPSs accordingly.
You must determine the time required for your comm and file to execute. PowerChute cannot determine whether the command file has complet ed, so it will wait only the amount of time entered before triggering an operating system shutdown.
Disabling command file execution for event ShutdownStarting due to
The command file runs using the local system account . For Linux/Unix the command file must be executed with root privileges. PowerChute cannot execut e programs that require interaction with the desktop; only command li ne enabled programs are supported.
14
PowerChute Network Shutdown: Standard User Guide

Shutdown Settings for Advanced UPS Configurations

With Advanced UPS configurations, PowerChute can monitor multiple UPS setups, including single UPS devices and groups of redundant UPS devices that you have created (see “Advanced UPS Setups”).
For each setup, you need to specify the following:
Field Description
Number of UPS’s required to power load
Number of additional (redundant) UPS’s
Set this value to the minimum number of UPS’s that must be available to support the equipment that is being powered by the UPS’s in the setup.
The value set here will be subtracted from the total number of UPS’s in the setup and used to calculate the numbe r of additional (redundant) UPS’s.
In redundancy terminology, this is the N in N+x. This setting is not displayed for UPS Setups with a Singl e UP S
device.
This will appear in a setup with more than one UPS. It represents the number of extra UPS’s in the setup. This option is associated with the number of UPS critical events required to trigger shutdown:
Redundancy level No. of critical events that
will trigger a shutdown
sequence
N+1 2
N+2 3
N+3 4
Multiple critical events occurring on the same UPS does not
impact the above table values.
In redundancy terminology, this is the x in N+x. This setting is not displayed for UPS Setups with a Si ngle UPS
device.
Total number of UPS’s in Setup This is the total of the above two rows and is calculated
automatically.
15
Shutdown Settings
See Shutdown Command Files.
Run Command When a shutdown sequence is triggered you can co nfigure
PowerChute to execute a command file. Note: If the same command file is configured for each setup and
a shutdown sequence is triggered for more than one setup at the same time, the command file is only executed once.
Shut down PowerChute Server This is enabled by default and is used to gracefully shut down the
physical machine running PowerChute. This option should be disabled if the PowerChute machine is not
being powered by the UPS’s in a particular setup, and i f it is being used to remotely shut down other servers/ equipment.
Shut down if Redundancy lost If this option is enabled, when the number of UPS crit i cal events
is the same as the number of additional (redundant) U PS’s, a shutdown sequence will be triggered.
This option is associated with the number of UPS critical events required to trigger shutdown:
UPS Shutdown
Redundancy level No. of critical events that
will trigger a shutdown
sequence
N+1 1
N+2 2
N+3 3
Multiple critical events occurring on the same UPS does not
impact the above table values.
This option is not shown if there are no additional (redundant) UPS’s. For example, this option will not appear if the number of UPS’s required to power the load is the same as the total number of UPS’s in the group.
Use this option to set the required UPS behavior after connected equipment or servers are gracefully shut down. For more information see UPS Shutdown.
16

SSH Settings

PowerChute Network Shutdown can be config ured to execute commands on a remote host via an SSH connection. To create an SSH action, click Add Action and configure the following:
1. Name: A unique name for each SSH action of a length less than or equal to 255 ASCII characters.
2. Configure one of the following authentication methods:
User Name and Password: Enter the user name and password to connect to the remote host.
User Name, SSH Key File Path and SSH Key File Password: Specify the path to a shared SSH
key. This option requires you to generate an SSH key and c
SSH Command File Location.
3. IP Addresses/FQDN and Port: The IP address or Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) and port of the
target SSH component.
4. Path to SSH command file: You must specify the full path name of the command file, including the disk drive or volume number. See SSH Command File Location.
5. SSH Action Delay: Enter the amount of time, in seconds, that PowerChute will wait before connecting to the remote host and begin sending commands. The default value is 0.
6. SSH Action Duration: Enter the amount of time, in seconds, for the SSH action to complete before proceeding with the rest of the shutdown sequence.
opy it to your target systems. See
Using the SSH Action Duration fi eld, you must allow sufficient time for all your SSH actions to complete.
7. Execute SSH Action:
On Startup: Execute the SSH command file when the PowerChute service re-starts. In an advanced configuration, the SSH command file is executed when the critical UPS event is resolved.
Before Host Shutdown: Execute the SSH command file before host shutdown.
After Host Shutdown: Execute the SSH command file after host shutdown.
8. Enable SSH Action: Allows you to enable or disable the configured SSH action. This checkbox is enabled by default when a new SSH action is created.
17
SSH Settings
NOTES:
PowerChute takes the command file provided and passes it line-by-line to the remote host over an SSH connection. As a result, incomplete lines may be interpreted incorrectly by the remote host. You must ensure that your SSH command file contains complete lines and commands so the remote host can interpret the file correctly.
The line ending style of the command file must match that of the PowerChute target host operating system. For example, a command file configured on PowerChute running on a Windows host must contain Windows style text line endings.
Recognized command prompts are:
$ (Linux)
# (Linux admin/root)
> (Windows, or RPDU)
Custom command prompts can be added via the PowerChute configuration file
(pcnsconfig.ini) by adding the "ssh_prompt_regex" setting to the [SSHAction] section. For example: to add a custom command prompt of "~", add "ssh_prompt_regex = \~\s".
The PowerChute Event Log only displays that an SSH action has completed. The Event Log does not show if the SSH action has completed successfully or not.
If a value is specified in the SSH Action Delay field, the Event Log does not log that an SSH action is running with a configured delay.
18
PowerChute Network Shutdown: Standard User Guide
SH Command File Location
S
The PowerChute installation directory. If the default installation directory was chosen during installation, this location will be:
C:\Program Files\APC\PowerChute\user_files for Windows systems
/opt/APC/PowerChute/user_files/ for Linux systems
key
SSH
NOTE: If you are upgrading to PowerChute v4.4, any key files and/or command files used in a previous version of PowerChute must be manually added to the user_files folder. If the files are not added to the directory, you will see the below errors in the Event Log:
ERROR: The ini contains an invalid value for ssh_command_file_path in
section SSHAction0.
ERROR: The ini contains an invalid value for ssh_keyfile_path in
section SSHAction0.
It is strongly recommended you validate your configuration after an upgrade.
file,
if
configured,
and
command
file
must be located in the user_files folder, or a sub-folder, in the
SSH Settings in an Advanced UPS Configuration
In an Advanced UPS configuration, SSH actions can be enabled and disabled for each UPS setup.
The symbol indicates that an SSH action is enabled in the main SSH Settings screen. To run an SSH action for a particular UPS setup, enable the checkbox next to the
SSH actions that enabled for a UPS setup.
are not enabled do not display the
symbol.
symbol. These disabled actions will not be executed if
19

SNMP Configuration

PowerChute Network Shutdown can be config ured to communicate via Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP), and can be discovered via SNMP by Networ k Management tools, such as StruxureWare Data Center Expert. Using SNMP, you can query and configure P owerChute settings, and generate SNMP traps for UPS critical events and lost communication events.
SNMPv1 and SNMPv3 are supported by PowerChut e Net work Shutdown. IPv4 and IPv6 are both supported. Go to SNMP Settings in the web user interface to complete the configuration and make PowerChute accessible via SNMP. It is not necessary to re-start the PowerChute service when enabling SNMP or making SNMP configuration changes via the web user interface. PowerChute c onfiguration changes via SNMP are logged to the Event Log.
Enter the SNMP Discovery Port. The default value of 161 is automatically populated, but this can be edited if this port is already in use. The Port number availabili ty is automatically checked, and if it is not available, a new port number must be entered.
See:
SNMPv1 Configuration
NMPv3 Configuration
S
SN
SN
S
MP Trap Configuration MP Data Points
NMP Troubleshooting
20
PowerChute Network Shutdown: Standard User Guide
Certain Network Management Systems require t he S NMP Engine ID to communicate via SNMP. The

SNMPv1 Configuration

Select Enable SNMPv1 access to configure the User Profiles required to communicate via SNMPv1. Select Add Profile and configure:
1. Community Name: The Community Name is sent with each SNMP request to obtain access to a device. The maximum length is 15 ASCII characters.
2. NMS IP/Host Name: The IP address, Host Name or Fully Qualified Domain Na m e of the Network Management System (NMS). An NMS is software t hat is used to manage software and hardware components on the network. It can be used to manage PowerChute via SNMP by issuing SNMP GET and SET commands. The default value of 0.0.0. 0 permits access from any NMS.
3. Access Type:
Disable: No SNMP GET or SET requests are permitted.
Read: Only SNMP GET requests are permitted.
Read/Write: SNMP GET and SET requests are permit ted.
To edit an existing SNMPv1 user profile, click the button. To delete an SNMPv1 user profile, click the button.
Click Apply to save the SNMPv1 configuration.
SNMP Engine ID is displayed on the SNMP Settings page of the PowerChute user interface.
SNMPv1 is less secure than SNMPv3. SNMPv1 does not provide encryption or authentication, and the Community Name is sent over the network in plain text. To use encryption and authentication with SNMP, configure SNMPv3 settings.
21
SNMP Configuration

SNMPv3 Configuration

Select Enable SNMPv3 access to configure the SNMPv3 settings. Select Add Profile and configure:
1. User Name: In SNMPv3, all GET and SET requests and SNMP Traps are matched to a user profile by the User Name. Enter a user name of a length less than or equal to 32 ASCII characters.
2. Authentication Protocol
to use an SHA-2 protocol, if the NMS supports it.
It is not recommended to use the MD5 protocol.
3. Authentication Passphrase: Enter an authentication password for the protocol selected, of 8-32 ASCII
characters.
4. Privacy Protocol: Select AES-128, AES-192*, AES-192 Ex†, AES-256* , AES-256 Ex†, or DES. It is recommended to use the AES-256 protocol, if the NMS and PowerChute JRE support it.
5. Privacy Passphrase: Enter a privacy password for the encryption protocol selected, of 8-32 ASCII characters.
6. Access Type:
Disable: No SNMP GET or SET requests are permitted.
Read: Only SNMP GET requests are permitted.
Read/Write: SNMP GET and SET requests are permitted.
: Select MD5, SHA-1 or SHA-2 (SHA256 or SHA512) protocol. It is recommended
button. Click Apply to save the SNMPv3 configuration.
Certain Network Management Systems require t he S NMP Engine ID to communicate via SNMP. The SNMP Engine ID is displayed on the SNMP Settings page of the Powe rChute user interface.
button. To delete an SNMPv3 user profile, click the To edit an existing SNMPv3 user profile, click the
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PowerChute Network Shutdown: Standard User Guide

SNMP Trap Configuration

You can specify the device(s) that receive the SNMP traps generated by PowerChute for UPS critical and lost communication events.
To configure a Trap Receiver, select Add Trap Receiv er and configure:
1. Enable: Select the checkbox to enable the Trap Receiver.
2. NMS IP/Host Name: The IP address, Host Name or Fully Qualified Domain Name of the NMS.
3. Port: The port on which the NMS will listen for incoming traps. The default port number is 162.
4. SNMPv1: Select this if you want to send the traps via SNMPv1.
o Community Name: Enter the Community Name of the SNMPv1 user pr ofile to be used as an
identifier when SNMPv1 traps are sent to this receiver.
5. SNMPv3: Select this if you want to send the traps via SNMPv3.
o User Name: Select the user name of the SNMPv3 user profile to be used as an identifier when
SNMPv3 traps are sent to this receiver.
Click the SNMP Trap Receiver Test to send a test trap to the confi gured Trap Receiver. Check the Trap Receiver to ensure that the test trap was received.
To edit an existing SNMP Trap Receiver, click the button. To delete an SNMP Trap Receiver, click the button.

UPS Critical Events

PowerChute sends SNMP traps to the configured T rap Receiver(s) upon the following events:
PowerChute Critical Event triggers a Shutdown When a critical event (such as On Battery) occur s and a Shutdown is triggered, PowerChute sends an SNMP trap detailing the Event Name, UPS Setup (for advanced configurations), and Affected Virtual Hosts (if Virtualization support is enabled).
PowerChute Critical Event Resolved If the option to Send Trap when condition is cleared is enabled, when a P owerChute Critical Event which triggered a Shutdown is resolved, PowerChute sends an SNMP trap to the configured NMS.

Lost Communication Events

PowerChute sends SNMP traps to the configured T rap Receiver(s) upon the following events:
Network Communications Lost If PowerChute cannot communicate with the Network Managem ent Card of the UPS, a trap is sent to the configured Trap Receiver.
UPS Communications Lost If the Network Management Card cannot commu nicate with the UPS, a trap is sent to the configured Trap Receiver.
If the option to Send Trap when condition is cleared is enabled, the following traps are sent:
Network Communications Lost Resolved If PowerChute regains communication with the Network Management Card of the UPS, a trap is sent to the configured Trap Receiver.
23
SNMP Configuration
UPS Communications Lost Resolved
If communication is regained between the NMC and the UPS, a trap is sent to the configured Tr R
eceiver.

Other Events

Software Update Available Trap
When the PowerChute Auto Update functionality det ects that there is a new update available; a trap is sent to the configured Trap Receiver.
PowerChute Test Trap
When configuring a Trap Receiver, a test trap can be sent to determine if the Trap Receiver is receiving th
raps. See SNMP Trap Receiver Test.
t
ee SNMP Data Points > PowerChute Traps for more information on PowerChute SNMP Trap OIDs.
S

Configuring SNMP Trap Notification Settings

To configure the settings for UPS Critical Event or Lost Communication traps:
ap
e
1. Go to SNMP Settings > SNMP Traps
2. Click on the icon next to UPS Critical Events or Lost Communication Events
3. Select the Enable checkbox to enable traps for critical events.
4. Delay: Specify the length of time that Event must persist before a trap i s s ent. If the Event is cleared befor
his time, no trap is sent.
t
5. Repeat Interval: Specify the time interval i n seconds that the trap is re-sent.
6. Select:
Repeat until condition clears if you want the trap to be sent at the repeat interval until the Event is cleared.
Repeat X times to specify the number of times the trap will be sent when the Event occurs.
7. Select Send Trap when condition is cleared to be notified when the Event is cleared. Note: If the PowerChute server is shut down due to a UPS Critical Event, no clearing Trap will be sent t
he NMS.
t
o
e
24
PowerChute Network Shutdown: Standard User Guide
pcnsUIProtocol
The web protocol that is used to connect to the PowerChute

SNMP Data Points

The tables below describe the PowerChute configu rat ion details that are available for SNMP polling and/or configuration.

PowerChute Identity Information

Object Identifier Name
pcnshostname read-only The hostname of the PowerChute instance.
pcnsVersion read-only The version of PowerChute installed.
pcnsOS read-only The version of the Operating System upon which
pcnsJavaVersion read-only The version of Java upon which PowerChute is running.
Access Description
PowerChute is installed.

PowerChute Networking Settings

Object Identifier Name
Access Description
read-only
web user interface.
pcnsHttpPort read-only The port that is used to connect to the PowerChute web
user interface.
pcnsHttpsPort read-only The port that is used to connect via https to the PowerChute
web user interface.
pcnsNetworkConfig read-only Config urat i on of the TCP network: IPv4/IPv6.
pcnsVirtualInstall read-only The Virt ualization technology for which PowerChute is
configured.
25
PowerChute Network Management Card Settings
triggered. See Shutdown Command Files.
Shutdown Command Files.
the UPS drops below the threshold,
SNMP Configuration
Object Identifier Name
pcnsMode read-only
pcnsNMCPort read-only The port used to connect to all of the Network Management
pcnsNMCProtocol read-only The web protocol used to connect to all of the Network
NMC details are contained in an SNMP table named pcnsNmcTable. Each table entry contains:
pcnsNMCIndex read-only The Index of the NMC within the PowerChute setup.
pcnsNMCAddr read-only The IP address of the NMC
pcnsNMCOutlet read-only The Outlet Group of the NMC on which PowerChute is
Access Description
The configuration of the UPSs that PowerChute is monitoring. See UPS Configuration Options.
Card(s).
Management Card(s).
enrolled.

PowerChute Shutdown Settings

Object Identifier Name Access Description
pcnsShutdownCommandFileEnabled* read-
write
pcnsShutdownCommandFileDelay* read-
write
pcnsShutdownCommandFile* read-
write
pcnsShutdownCommandFileDuration* read-
write
pcnsTurnOffUps* read-
write
Specify if Shutdown a Command File is configured to run if a UPS critical event is
The number of seconds that a host requires to shut down, before the command file is executed. This setting is applicable to virtualization support only.
The full path name of the command file, including the disk drive or volume name. See
The number of seconds that the shutdown command file requires to execute.
The setting to turn off the UPS after performing a graceful shutdown.
pcnsTurnOffSOG* read-
pcnsRuntimeRemainingThreshold read-
write
write
The setting to turn off the Outlet Group of the UPS when performing a graceful shutdown.
This defines a threshold for runtime remaining. When the UPS in running on battery power and the runtime remaining on
26
PowerChute Network Shutdown: Standard User Guide
information.
* Note: These OIDs are not available for Advanced UP S S etups. See below for equivalent OIDs for Advanced UPS Setups.
PowerChute triggers a shutdown sequence. See Sequenced Server Shutdown
for more
pcnsRuntimeRemainingCmdFileThreshold read-
write
This defines a threshold for runtime remaining. When runtime remaining drops below this threshold, PowerChute executes the command file.

PowerChute Events

The table below details the OID Names of the Configurable Events that can be configured via SNMP, and the names of the Events as seen in the PowerChute User Interface.
Object Identifier Name PowerChute UI Reference
pcnsPowerFailed UPS On Battery
pcnsPowerRestored Input Power Restored
pcnsOverload UPS Overloaded
pcnsOverloadSolved UPS Overload Corrected
pcnsRunTimExceeded Runtime exceeded
pcnsRunTimeWithinRange Runtime is sufficient
pcnsRunTimeBelowThreshold Runtime remaining below threshold
pcnsRunTimeAboveThreshold Runtime remaining above threshold
pcnsBatteryDischarged Battery Discharged
pcnsBatteryChargeInRange Battery Recharged
pcnsFaultBypassEnabled Bypass due to hardware error or overload
pcnsBypassEnabled Maintenance Bypass
pcnsBypassManualEnabled Bypass ended
pcnsBypassDisabled Bypass ended
pcnsBypassContactorFailed Bypass Switch failed
27
pcnsBypasContactorOk Bypass Switch replaced
pcnsCommunicationLostOnBattery Communication lost while on Battery
pcnsCommunicationLost NMC cannot communicate with the UPS
SNMP Configuration
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PowerChute Network Shutdown: Standard User Guide
pcnsContactFaultX
Object Identifier Name PowerChute UI
Reference
pcnsNetCommunicationLost PowerChute cannot
communicate with the NMC
pcnsCommunicationEstablished Communication established
pcnsMinRedundancyLost Minimum Redundancy lost
pcnsMinRedundancyRegained Minimum Redundancy restored
pcnsParallelRedundancyLost Parallel Redundancy lost
pcnsParallelRedundancyRegained Parallel Redundancy restored
pcnsMaxInternalTempExceeded UPS Temperature Overheated
pcnsMaxInternalTempInRange UPS Temperature Normal Again
pcnsMinLoadCapabilityLost Load (kVA) Alarm Violation
pcnsMinLoadCapabilityRegained Load (kVA) Alarm Violation
cleared
pcnsEnviornmentCommunicationEstablished Communication Established with
EMC
pcnsEnviornmentCommunicationLost Communication Lost with EMC
pcnsTempInRangeProbeX Temperature Probe X In Range
pcnsTempOutOfRangeProbeX Temperature Probe X Out Of
Range
pcnsHumidityInRangeProbeX Humidity Probe X In Range
pcnsHumidityOutOfRangeProbeX Humidity Probe X Out Of Range
Contact Zone X Alarm
pcnsContactNormalX Contact Zone X Normal
29
For each event you can access:
[event name]Desc
[event
[event
[event
[event
See pcnsRunTimeBelowThresholdCommandFileThreshold.
[event
[event name]ShutdownDelay
pcnsRunTimeBelowThresholdCommandFileThreshold
If Runtime Remaining falls
pcnsRunTimeBelowThresholdShutdownThreshold
OID Name Access Description
SNMP Configuration
read-
The description of the event.
only
name]EnableLogging
read-
Enable or disable logging to the event log for this eve nt.
write
name]EnableCommandFile
read-
Enable or disable command file execution for thi s ev ent.
write
name]CommandFilePath
name]CommandFileDelay
read­write
read­write
Specify a Command File and full path to be executed upon this event.
The number of seconds that a host requires to shut down, before the command file is executed.
Note: This is not available for pcnsRunTimeBelowThreshol d.
For some events you can access:
OID Name Access Description
name]EnableShutdown
read-write Perform a graceful shutdown of
the host when this event occurs.
read-write The amount of time in seconds
that PowerChute should wait before initiating the shutdown process.
For pcnsRunTimeBelowThreshold you can access:
OID Name Access Description
read­write
read­write
below this threshold, the command file is executed.
If Runtime Remaining falls below this threshold, a graceful shutdown of the host is initiated.
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PowerChute Network Shutdown: Standard User Guide

PowerChute Traps

The table below details the OID Names of the SNMP t raps sent by PowerChute for critical and lost communication events.
UPS Critical Events
OID Name Level Description
pcnsCriticalEventActive Severe PowerChute Network Shutdown has begun a graceful shutdown of
the host due to a critical event.
pcnsCriticalEventResolved Informational The PowerChute Network Shutdown critical ev ent has been
resolved, and graceful shutdown of the host continues.
Lost Communication Events
OID Name Level Description
pcnsNetworkComsLost Severe PowerChute cannot communicate with the NMC.
pcnsNetworkComsLostResolved Informational PowerChute has regained communication with the NMC.
pcnsNMCComsLost Severe The NMC cannot communicate with the UPS.
pcnsNMCComsLostResolved Informational The NMC has regained communication with the UPS.
Other Events
OID Name Level Description
pcnsTest Informational PowerChute has sent a test trap to the NMS.
pcnsUpdateAvailable Informational PowerChute has detected that an update is available.
31

Event Configuration

Descriptions of events are in the
When UPS events occur, PowerChute can be conf i gured to log the event, notify users, execute a command file or initiate a system shutdown through the Configure E vents screen.
The symbol indicates that the action is enabled for this event while the symbol indicates t hat the action is not enabled.
PowerChute Events and Logging sections.
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PowerChute Network Shutdown: Standard User Guide

Notifications

PowerChute can send a message to one user or all logged-i n users when an event occurs:
Notify all users: For Windows, the message will be sent to al l users who are on the same network. For Linux or
Unix, all users who are logged onto the server with a terminal prompt open will be notified.
Notify only this user: On Windows, enter the machine name. On Linux or Unix systems, enter the user name. The
user will still need to be logged onto the server with a terminal prompt open to be notified.
Repeat Interval: The time interval, in seconds, at which the message will be repeated while the event condition
exists. If this field is blank or zero, the message wil l not be repeated.
Delay (if required): Enter the amount of time in seconds that P owerChute should wait after the event occurs
before notifying users. Users will be notified immediately if a shutdown event is triggered.
For Windows operating systems, PowerChute can onl y send not ifications if the operating system supports the messenger service. If not supported, there is no option displayed in the UI. See Knowledge Base article FA169440 for more information. (If you have difficulty with this link, enter "FA169440" at https://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/home/).
33
Event Configuration

Event-Driven Command Files

If required, PowerChute can be configured to execute a command file after certain events are triggered. Click the
symbol on the event row and select the Enable Command File check box .
Delay: Enter the amount of time in seconds that PowerChute should wait when the event occurs before executing
the command file.
If a shutdown command file is also configured, both command files will be executed in parallel.
Full path to command file: You must specify the full path name of the command file, including the disk drive or
volume name. The command file runs using the local system account. PowerChute cannot execute programs that require
interaction with the desktop; only command line-enabled programs are supported.
The command file must be located in the user_files folder, or a sub-folder, in the PowerChute installation directory. If the default installation directory was chosen during installation, this location will be:
C:\Program Files\APC\PowerChute\user_files for Windows systems
/opt/APC/PowerChute/user_files/ for Linux systems
NOTE: If you are upgrading to PowerChute v4.4, any command files used in a previous version of PowerChute must be manually added to the user_files folder. If the command files are not added to the directory, you will see the below errors/warnings for all events configured to run a command file in the Event Log. For example:
ERROR: Event PowerFailed is enabled for command file execution, but an invalid value for event_PowerFailed_commandFilePath is specified. WARNING: Disabling command file execution for event PowerFailed due to bad parameters. Please validate the configuration.
It is strongly recommended you validate your configuration after an upgrade.
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PowerChute Network Shutdown: Standard User Guide

Shutdown Actions

When the Shutdown Action is enabled for an event, PowerChute treats the event as critical and will trigger a shutdown sequence. Shutdown is not supported for all events: this is indicated by the presence or absence of an icon on the event row.
The Delay field is the amount of time in seconds that PowerChute should wait before initiating the shutdown sequence. By default, the On Battery event has a delay of 120 seconds, whereas the default for all other events is 0 seconds.
By default, PowerChute will only trigger a shutdow n sequence if a low battery condition occurs or the UPS is commanded to turn off. Shutdown cannot be disabl ed for these events using the PowerChute user interface.
35

Sequenced Server Shutdown

The Runtime Remaining below Threshold event can be used to sequence the order that your servers shut down during an extended power outage.
This is useful if you have multiple servers powered by the same UPS and you want to extend the runtime for your higher priority servers. It also ensures that lower priority servers are the first to be shut down.
This event will trigger a server shutdown command when the UPS is running on battery power and the runtime has dropped below the threshold configured. You can also configure a command file to execute before shutdown occurs by specifying a higher runtime threshold valu e f or the Run Command File event action.

Example

1. You have 3 servers powered by the same UPS. Your lowe r priority server is Server C while you want to keep Server A running as long as possible.
2. You want Server A to shut down when the UPS protecting it has 10 minutes runtime remaining.
3. You want Server B to shut down when the UPS protecting it has 15 minutes runtime remaining.
4. You want Server C to shut down when the UPS protecting it has 20 minutes runtime remaining.
5. Configure each PowerChute Agent with the fol l owing threshold values:
o Server A – 10 minutes o Server B - 15 minutes o Server C - 20 minutes
6. Each server is shut down when the runtime remaining drops below the threshold configured.
36

Sample Shutdown Scenari os

The following scenarios provide examples of how P owerChute and the UPS behave when a shutdown sequence is triggered.
37
Sample Shutdown Scenarios

UPS without Outlet Groups

Example 1: Turn of UPS enabled, No shutdown command file configured.

The option to Turn off the UPS is enabled on the Shut down settings page. No shutdown command file is configured.
When a critical UPS event, such as On Battery occur s, the following sequence is triggered.
1. PowerChute reports that the UPS is on battery.
2. After the shutdown delay configured for the On Bat tery event has elapsed, PowerChute sends a command to turn off the UPS.
3. PowerChute starts the operating system shutdown se quence.
4. After a 70 second delay the operating system start s t o shut down.
5. The UPS will wait the amount of time indicated by one of the following, whichever is greater: Low Battery Duration or Maximum Required Delay These are shown on the UPS Shutdown page in the NMC UI.
6. After this delay, a further non-configurable two mi nut e delay is counted down.
7. The UPS will then turn off after the user-configurable Shutdown Delay time has elapsed This is configurable on the UPS Shutdown page in the NMC UI.
It is recommended that the Low Battery Duration i s configured to allow enough time for the Operating System shutdown to complete. Ideally the operating system should have shut down before the non-configurable two minute delay (step 6) starts to count down.
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PowerChute Network Shutdown: Standard User Guide

Example 2: Turn off UPS enabled, shutdown command file configured.

The option to Turn off the UPS is enabled on the Shut down settings page. A shutdown command file is configured. When a critical UPS event, such as On Battery occur s, the following sequence is triggered.
1. PowerChute reports that the UPS is on battery.
2. After the shutdown delay configured for the On Bat tery event has elapsed, PowerChute then sends a command to turn off the UPS. UPS turn off starts.
3. PowerChute starts to execute the shutdown command file.
4. After the duration configured for the shutdown command file has elapsed, an additional 70 second delay is counted down before the operating system starts to shut down.
5. The UPS will wait the amount of time indicated by one of the following, whichever is greater: Low Battery Duration or Maximum Required Delay. These are shown on the UPS Shutdown page in the NMC UI.
6. After this delay, a further non-configurable two minute delay is counted down.
7. The UPS will then turn off after the user-configurable Shutdown Delay time has elapsed (this is configurable on the UPS Shutdown page in the NMC UI ).
It is recommended that the Low Battery Duration is configured to allow enough time for the shutdown command file and operating system shutdown to complete. Ideally, the operating system should have shut down before the two minute delay (step 6) starts to count down.
39
Sample Shutdown Scenarios

UPS with Outlet Groups

Example 1: Turn off Outlet Group enabled, no shutdown command file configured.

The option to Turn off the Outlet Group is enabled o n the Shutdown settings page. No Shutdown command file is configured.
When a critical UPS event, such as On Battery occur s, the following sequence is triggered.
1. PowerChute reports that the UPS is on battery.
2. After the shutdown delay configured for the On Battery event has elapsed PowerChute sends a command to turn off the outlet group that PowerChute is regi st ered with.
3. PowerChute starts the operating system shutdown sequence.
4. After a 70 second delay the operating system starts to shut down.
5. The outlet group will turn off after the Power Off Delay configured on the NMC Outlet Group configuration page has elapsed.
o If registered with the Main Outlet Group, the UPS will wait for any Switched Outlet G roups to turn
off before the Main Outlet Group turnoff starts.
o If registered with a Switched Outlet Group, only that delay is counted down.
40
PowerChute Network Shutdown: Standard User Guide It is recommended that the outlet group Power Off Delay is configured to allow enough time for the operating system shutdown to complete. You should allow extra time to ensure that the outlet group does not turn off before the operating system.
41
Sample Shutdown Scenarios

Example 2: Turn off the Outlet Group enabled, shutdown command file configured.

The option to Turn off the Outlet Group is enabled on the Shutdown settings page. A shutdown command file is configured.
When a critical UPS event, such as On Battery occur s, the following sequence is triggered.
1. PowerChute reports that the UPS is on battery.
2. After the shutdown delay configured for the On Battery event has elapsed, PowerChute then sends a command to turn off the outlet group that it is registe red with. Outlet Group turn off starts.
3. PowerChute starts to execute the shutdown command file.
4. After the duration configured for the shutdown command file has elapsed, an additional 70 second delay is counted down before the operating system starts to shut down.
5. The Outlet Group will turn off after the Power Off Delay configured on the NMC Outlet Group configuration page has elapsed.
o If registered with the Main Outlet Group, the UPS will wait for any Switched Outlet groups to t urn
off before the Main Outlet Group turn off starts.
o If registered with a Switched Outlet Group only that delay is counted down.
It is recommended that the Outlet Group Powe r Off delay is configured to allow enough time for the shutdown command file and the Operating System shutdown t o complete. You should allow extra time to ensure that the Outlet Group does not turn off before the Operating System.
42
PowerChute Network Shutdown: Standard User Guide
The Low Battery Duration set on the NMC should be equal to or greater than the Power Off Delay

Recommended Power-Off Delays for Outlet groups

By default, the outlet group Power Off Delay will be the same value as the Low Battery duration configured on t he NMC. PowerChute will automatically increase t he Power Off Delay for the outlet group it is registered with, if the total shutdown time it needs is greater than the Power Off Delay.
The total shutdown time includes the following values:
Shutdown Command File Duration
Built-in delay of 2 minutes (this consists of a 10 second OS shutdown delay and a 60 second OS shutdown
duration; rounded up)
The time required to gracefully shut down your operating system is not covered by the total shutdown time, as PowerChute cannot determine how long it will take to complete.
The Power Off Delay for the outlet group should be long enough for the OS to gracefully shut down. You should add extra time to allow for unfores een circumstances.
for the outlet group.
43

PowerChute Events and Logging

1000 is the default value, but you can change it using the PowerChute Configuration (INI) File. To do this:
The Event Log displays UPS events that affect P owerChute and the load that it is protecting. Not all UPS events are logged. The log is refreshed automatically every 30 seconds.
By default, event logging is enabled for all configurable and non-configurable PowerChute events. To disable logging of an event, use the Configure Events screen.
The EventLog.txt file is located in the group1 folder where PowerChute is installed. When the file reaches 1000 log entries, the oldest third of the file is deleted.
1. Stop the PowerChute service/daemon. For more information, see Knowledge Base article FA290624 (Enter "FA290624" at https://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/home/).
2. Locate the pcnsconfig.ini file in the group1 folder where PowerChute is installed and open it using a text editor.
3. In the section [EventLog] change the value for logsize to the desired value. For example, to change the value to 2000 entries, change logsize to:
logsize = 2000
4. Save the pcnsconfig.ini file.
5. Restart the PowerChute service/daemon.
To completely clear the Event Log, use the Delete Log File button. Use Export Log to download a copy of the Event Log as a text file.
44
PowerChute Network Shutdown: Standard User Guide

Configurable Events

Available runtime has been exceeded
For both conditions below, the “total shutdown time” includes the following durations:
Shutdown command file duration
SSH action duration
Built-in duration of 2 minutes (this consists of a 10 second OS shutdown duration and a 60 second OS
shutdown duration; rounded up)
his event occurs with either of the following conditions:
T
Condition 1.
When the total shutdown time required by PowerChute is greater than the Low Battery Duration minus two minutes configured for the UPS. In the event of a low bat tery condition, PowerChute will not have enough time to complete the shutdown sequence before the UPS po wers off. For example, if the total shutdown time required is 3 minutes and Low Battery Duration is 4 minutes, the Available Runtime has been Exceeded event will be triggered.
Resolution: Increase the Low Battery Durati on value on the NMC using Configure - Shutdown or decrease the shutdown durations being used by PowerChute.
Condition 2.
When the shutdown duration configured for the UPS On B attery event plus the total shutdown time required by PowerChute is greater than the Runtime Remaining on the UPS minus two minutes. This condition can be caused by having too great a load on the UPS when the battery i s f ul l y charged.
Resolution:
1. Remove some equipment from the UPS to increase t he available runtime.
2. Decrease the shutdown duration time for the UP S On Battery event.
3. Decrease the command file execution time using t he Shutdown Settings screen.
This event is logged and event actions are carried out even if it occurs on a single UPS in a Redundant or Parallel UPS configuration.
Available runtime is sufficient
available UPS Runtime/ Low Battery Duration is sufficient for PowerChute to shut down all equipment
The gracefully.
Battery is discharged
The
UPS battery runtime has fallen below an acceptable range. If there is a power outage, a low battery condition
will occur. This can be caused if the UPS has been o perat i ng on battery for an extended time period. If a Battery Recharged event does not occur within four hour s, t he UP S may not be charging properly, please
contact APC Customer Support.
Battery has recharged.
The
battery runtime of the UPS has returned to withi n an acceptable range.
45
PowerChute Events and Logging
UPS in Bypass due to an internal hardware problem or UPS overload.
The UPS has switched to bypass due to an internal hardware problem or because the UPS is overloaded.
UPS has switched to bypass in response to the bypass switch at the UPS, typically for
maintenance.
A user put the UPS into bypass mode using a hardware s wit ch.
UPS has switched to bypass in response to the UPS front-panel or a user-initiated software
command, typically for maintenance.
The UPS has switched to bypass and cannot protect the load if a power outage occurs. This is a normal condition if maintenance is being performed on the UPS.
If this event occurs when the UPS was not deliberately put into bypass, please contact Customer Support.
UPS is no longer in Bypass.
The UPS is no longer in a bypass state.
Bypass switch is not working properly.
The bypass contactor is not operating properly. This will prevent the UPS from being placed in bypass or returning from bypass. Please contact Customer Support.
Bypass switch has been replaced.
The bypass contactor is now operating properly.
Communication has been lost while on battery.
PowerChute lost communication while the UPS was on battery and cannot detect a Low Battery condition if t he power outage continues. Graceful shutdown cannot be guaranteed.
This occurs when the UPS is on battery and:
The Management Card cannot communicate with the UPS or
PowerChute cannot communicate with the Mana gement Card.
Network Management Card cannot communicate with the UPS.
Communication between the NMC and the UPS has been lost. Make sure that the NMC is firmly inserted in its slot. This can occur during a firmware upgrade of the NMC.
PowerChute cannot communicate with the Network Management Card.
Network communication between PowerChute and t he NMC has been lost. See Network Management Card
Troubleshooting. This can occur during a firmware upgrade of the NMC.
46
PowerChute Network Shutdown: Standard User Guide
Communication has been established.
Communication has been established between PowerChute and the NMC.
UPS has switched to battery power.
The UPS has switched to battery operation due to a power outage. If you can’t restore power to the UPS, do the following:
1. If there is no general power outage (i.e. if only t his UPS has lost input power), check the building wiring and circuit breakers.
2. If this event occurs occasionally and briefly , check to see if equipment on the same electrical circuit as the UPS uses high power periodically.
3. This event can also be caused by poor power quality (i.e. power fluctuation). Decrease the sensitivity of the UPS through the NMC user interface.
4. If the condition persists, contact an electricia n to analyze your utility power.
UPS is no longer running on battery power or output power has been turned on.
The UPS is no longer running on battery power.
The load has exceeded the user specified alarm threshold.
The load on your UPS has exceeded the maximum load threshold, set in the NMC user interface. Reduce the load on the UPS or upgrade to a device that can support the existing load.
The load no longer exceeds the user specified alarm threshold.
The load on your UPS is no longer above the load threshold.
Minimum redundancy lost.
The UPS has too great a load or there are not enough pow er m odules operational to support the desired redundancy.
Check to see that all power modules are functioning properly and that the redundancy configuration is correct. If the condition persists, contact Customer Support.
Minimum redundancy restored.
The UPS can now support the desired redundancy.
Parallel redundancy lost.
The system has too great a load or there are not enough operational UPS’s to support the desired redundancy level.
Check to see that all UPS’s are functioning properly and that the redundancy configuration is correct. If the condition persists, contact Customer Support.
47
PowerChute Events and Logging
Parallel redundancy restored.
The Parallel UPS system can now support the desired red undancy.
The runtime remaining has dropped below the configured threshold while on Battery.
The runtime remaining has dropped below the configured threshold while on battery. You can configure this threshold using the shutdown action on the Config ure Events page.
When the UPS in running on battery power and the runtime remaining on the UPS drops below the threshold, PowerChute will trigger a shutdown sequence. S ee “Sequenced Server Shutdown” for more information.
The runtime remaining is now above the configured threshold or input power has been restored.
Occurs when the UPS runtime is greater than the user defined threshold or if the UPS is no longer running on battery power.
UPS has overheated which can cause damage.
The UPS’s internal temperature is too high. Make sur e t hat there is at least one inch of clearance around the UPS, and that the UPS ventilation ports are not blocked. I f this condition is not resolved quickly, damage may occur to your UPS.
UPS is no longer overheated.
The UPS’s internal temperature has returned to an a cc ept able level.
UPS output overload.
The UPS has sensed a load greater than 100 per cent of its rated capacity. Remove attached equipment from the UPS until the condition is corrected. If this condit i on happens occasionally and briefly, check to see if some equipment connected to the UPS is using high power periodically (e.g. connected laser printers or photocopiers). If the condition persists, contact Customer Support.
UPS overload condition has been corrected.
A condition that caused the UPS output overload event to occur has been corrected.
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PowerChute Network Shutdown: Standard User Guide

Configurable Environmental Events

The following events are logged and event actions are carried out even if they occur on a single UPS in a Redundant or Parallel UPS configuration.
Ambient Temperature Out Of Range Probe X.
The temperature exceeds the threshold configured for the Environmental temperature probe.
Ambient Temperature In Range Probe X.
The temperature no longer exceeds the threshold configured for the Environmental temperature probe.
Humidity out of Range Probe X.
The humidity exceeds the threshold configured for the Environmental humidity probe.
Humidity In Range Probe X.
The humidity no longer exceeds the threshold conf igured for the Environmental humidity probe.
Communication lost with Environmental Monitor.
PowerChute has stopped receiving data from t he Environmental Monitoring Card or the probe has been remov ed from the Universal I/O (UIO) port on the NMC.
Check to see that the Environmental Monitoring Card is firmly inserted in its slot and has power. Check that environmental monitoring information is ac ce ssi b le through the NMC user interface.
If PowerChute cannot communicate with the NMC you will need to correct that problem first.
Communication established with the Environmental Monitor.
PowerChute Network Shutdown is receiving dat a f rom the Environmental Monitoring Card/Probe.
Contact X Alarm.
One of the environmental input contacts is in an alar m st at e. Check in the location being monitored by this contact.
Contact X Normal.
One of the environmental input contacts has returned to a normal condition.
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PowerChute Events and Logging

Non-Configurable Events

Three unsuccessful logon attempts detected. Temporarily denying logon att em pts from machine
with IP <IP address>.
There have been three invalid login attempts from a machine with the IP address listed in the event. Further login attempts will be prevented from this machine for t wo minutes. This is a security measure designed to prevent brute-force login attempts.
Username was changed by user [User] from IP address [IP address]. New username is [Username].
The Username has been changed by the user at the specifi ed IP address. This is a security feature to notify the user when the Username has been changed.
Password was changed by user [User] from IP address [IP address].
The password has been changed by the user at the specified IP address. This is a security feature to notify the user when the password has been changed.
Authentication phrase was changed by user [User] from IP address [IP address].
The authentication phrase has been changed by the user at the specified IP address. This is a security feature to notify the user when the authentication phrase has been changed.
Low-battery condition occurred.
The runtime remaining on the UPS has dropped belo w t he Low battery duration value while the UPS was on battery.
UPS Turn off has been initiated.
A graceful shutdown command has been issued to the UPS using the NMC User Interface, the LCD display or by PowerChute. This event is logged for all UPS Configurations.
PowerChute Network Shutdown version X monitoring started.
The PowerChute Web service has been started.
Shutdown process started ‹OS name› will shut down soon.
The operating system has started to shut down in response to a critical UPS event.
Error: Outlet Group X is turned off for NMC X.
The outlet group that PowerChute is registered with is turned off. This can indicate that PowerChute is not configured for the correct outlet group.
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Warning: Outlet Group X is turning off for NMC X.
The outlet group that PowerChute is registered with is shutting down. A shutdown sequence will be started as a result.
No Outlet Group specified. Using outlet group X.
If PowerChute was not registered with an Outlet group during setup it will be automatically registered with the first outlet group on the UPS by default.
PowerChute is unable to open TCP port [number]. Check that TCP port [number] is free.
PowerChute uses TCP ports 3052 and 6547 for the Web User Interface. This event will be logged if another application is already using either of the above port s.
Use the netstat command to identify which process is using these ports or change the values using the PowerChute Configuration File.
PowerChute is attempting to open TCP port [number]
PowerChute has begun to open the port it requires f or the Web UI.
PowerChute successfully opened TCP port [number].
PowerChute has successfully opened the port it requires for the Web UI.
PowerChute is unable to open UDP port 3052. Check that UDP port 3052 is free. This is
required for NMC communication.
PowerChute uses UDP port 3052 for communicati on with the NMC. This event will be logged if another application is already using this port. Use the netstat command t o i dentify which application is using the port. This port cannot be changed.
PowerChute is attempting to open UDP port 3052.
PowerChute has begun to open the port required for NMC communications.
PowerChute successfully opened UDP port 3052.
PowerChute was able to open the port it needs for N M C co m m unications.
PowerChute cannot communicate with Network Management Card [ip_address]
Reported when the PowerChute Agent cannot communicate with the Network Management Card over the network. This could be due to a mismatch in security c redentials or a network issue.
Network Management Card [ip_address] cannot communicate with the UPS.
Reported when the Network Management Card cannot communicate with the UPS. If this issue persists please contact technical support.
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PowerChute Events and Logging
Connection unsuccessful because PowerChute received an untrusted SSL certificate from the
NMC [protocol]://[ip_address]
This can occur if registering with an NMC that has HTTPS enabled and is using an SSL certificate that is not signed by a trusted root certification authority. To accept the certificate, enable the option "Accept Untrusted SSL Certificates?" on the UPS Details page of the PowerChute Setup Wizard or add the certificate to the PowerChute-keystore.
PowerChute received an untrusted SSL certificate from the NMC https://[ip_address].
Occurs when registering with an NMC that has HTTPS enabled if the SSL cert is not signed by a trusted root certification authority.
PowerChute added a Network Management Card Self-Signed Certificate to the keystore.
If the option Accept Untrusted SSL certificates is enabled, PowerChute will automatically add self-signed and untrusted certs to its local keystore.
UPS [ip_address] is running on battery power
Reported when one UPS goes on battery in a UPS configuration with multiple UPS's.
The On Battery UPS is no longer running on Battery power or output power has been turned on.
Reported when one UPS in a UPS configuration with multiple UPS's returns to On Line operation.
Outlet on UPS is turning off / UPS is turning off.
The advanced option is enabled under UPS Shutdown Settings for a Redundant UPS Configuration and one UPS is on Battery.
UPS [ip_address] has turned off.
Reported when one UPS turns off in a UPS configuration with multiple UPS's.
The turned off UPS has switched to On Line operation.
Reported when one UPS turns back on in a UPS configuration with multiple UPS's.
Multiple UPS's have been commanded to turn off / Outlet Group turn off has been initiated on
Multiple UPS's.
Reported in a Redundant UPS Configuration. In n+1 redundancy, this is reported when 2 UPS's turn off. In n+2 redundancy, this is reported when 3 UPS's turn off. In n+3 redundancy, this is reported when 4 UPS's turn off.
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Multiple UPS have turned off.
Reported in a Redundant UPS Configuration.
In n+1 redundancy, this is reported when 2 UPS's turn off.
In n+2 redundancy, this is reported when 3 UPS's turn off.
In n+3 redundancy, this is reported when 4 UPS's turn off.
Multiple Critical Events occurred.
This occurs in a Redundant or Parallel-Redundant UPS Configuration when two different critical UPS events are active.
Parallel-UPS Configuration not supported at address [ip_address].
One of the UPS devices in a Parallel-UPS configuration has been removed from the Parallel system.
Turning off UPS [NMC IP Address].
PowerChute has sent a graceful shutdown command to the UPS. This is logged when a critical event occurs and the option to Turn off the UPS is enabled on the Shutdown settings page.
Turning off outlet [Outlet Name] on UPS [NMC IP Address]
PowerChute has sent a graceful shutdown command to the UPS Outlet group. This is logged when a critical event occurs and the option to Turn off the UPS Outlet Group is enabled on the Shutdown settings page.
SNMP[version]: New connection by user [User] from [IP Address].
A new user has connected to PowerChute via SNMP. This event is logged the first time a user connects after the PowerChute service restarts, or a SNMP setting is changed.
SNMP[version]: Unsuccessful connection attempt by user [User] from [IP Address].
PowerChute detected a new user attempting to connect via SNMP. This event is logged the first time a user is unable to connect after the PowerChute service restarts, or a SNMP setting is changed. NOTE: Some SNMP managers make unsuccessful attempts as part of their connection process. This will be indicated by the user "initial".
SNMP: Configuration changed by user [User] from [IP Address]. [Config.ini Section].[Config.ini
Key] set to [New Value].
A PowerChute setting has been changed by [User] via SNMP.
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PowerChute Events and Logging

Configuration (INI) File Events

The table below lists events that may be logged as a r esult of m anual changes to the PowerChute Configuration File.
See PowerChute Configuration File.
Before editing the Configuration file manually you should save a backup copy locally.
Error: PowerChute cannot find the configuration file or the backup configuration file. Shutting
down.
PowerChute cannot locate pcsnconfig.ini or pcnsconfig_backup.ini to error.log in the group1 folder where PowerChute is installed. Please re-install PowerChute. If this does not resolve the issue contact APC technical support.
Error: The ini file is missing the required [x] section
A required section is missing or incorrectly named.
Error: The ini file is missing [x] key from section [x].
A required key is missing. Replace the missing key from a backup file.
Error: The ini file could not find IP address information in section [x].
NMC IP addresses are missing from the [NetworkManagementCard] section.
Error: The ini contains an invalid value for [x] in section [x].
An invalid value is present in the file and no previous good value or default is available in the backup file.
Error: The ini contains an invalid value for [x] in section [x]. Using {2} instead. Please validate
the configuration.
An invalid value is found in the file but a previous valid value or default value is available in the backup file. This should be checked but no further action may be needed.
Error: The key [x] in section [x], did not match the supplied regular expression.
This can occur if you enter a username value that contains unsupported characters or if you entered a value other than http/https for the key protocol.
Error: Could not convert the value of [x] in section [x] to its expected type.
This can occur if you enter a non-numeric value where a numeric value is expected for example.
Error: Event [x] is enabled for command file execution, but an invalid value for [x] is specified
The command file specified cannot be found.
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The ini file has entries defined outside of a section.
There are extra entries outside of a section that PowerChute does not recognize. These can be deleted.
The invalid key [x] should be deleted from section [x] in the ini file.
The configuration file contains keys that PowerC hute does not recognize. These can be deleted.
The ini file has detected duplicate values for [x] in section [x].
When this occurs PowerChute will use the first value and this may result in an incorrect value being used e.g. if you enter 2 values for the HTTP port (80 and 8080), Powe rC hute will use 80 instead of 8080.
The invalid section [x] should be removed from the ini file.
The configuration file contains a section that P owerChute does not recognize. This can be deleted.
Disabling command file execution for event [x] due to bad parameters. Please validate the
configuration.
This can occur on a Linux/ Unix system if the path to the com m and file is valid but the file itself does not have execute permissions.
Username was changed from [Username 1] to [Username 2] via ini file.
This notifies the user that the username has been cha nged via the ini file, for security purposes.
Password was changed via ini file.
This notifies the user that the password has been cha nged via the ini file, for security purposes.
Authentication phrase was changed via ini file.
This notifies the user that the authentication phrase has been modified via the ini file, for security purposes.
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PowerChute Events and Logging

SSH Action Events

Running SSH Action: [Action].
PowerChute is running the SSH action [Action] on the remote host.
SSH Action [Action] has already run.
In an advanced UPS configuration, PowerChute r uns each SSH action once for each host in the advanced group. This may result in multiple hosts attempting t o run the same SSH action at the same time.
This event is shown if a SSH action has already run on a host in the advanced group.
SSH Action [Action] has completed.
PowerChute has successfully completed execut i ng the SSH action [Action] on the remote host.
SSH Action [Action] has not completed within the configured duration.
The SSH action [Action] could not complete as in suf ficient time was configured. Ensure sufficient time is provided in the SSH Action Duration field in the SSH Settings screen for your SSH actions to com plete.
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Java Update Events

Updating Java using [Java file].
PowerChute is attempting to update the Java version used by PowerChute to [Java file]. Allow 2-3 minutes for the Java update to complete.
Java has successfully updated. Restarting PowerChute.
The Java version used with PowerChute has successfully updated. The PowerChute service will restart for changes to take effect.
Unable to update Java. See error.log for details.
PowerChute was unable to update the Java version used with PowerChute. For more information, see error.log.
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PowerChute Events and Logging
This topic does not apply to Advanced Configuratio n with Advanced UPS Setups. For more information about Critical Events in Advanced UP S Setups, please view the “Using P Network Shutdown in an Advanced Redundant Setup” Application Note

Critical Events in a Redundant-UPS Configuration

owerChute
here.
PowerChute Network Shutdown considers all UP S devices in a Redundant configuration as one UPS System. Each UPS must be able to support the entire load itse l f.
PowerChute follows these shutdown rules when it detects critical events:
2 identical critical events (such as Low-Battery Condition Occurred OR UPS turn off has been initiated) occurring in succession on 2 UPS devices caus e a shutdown. The shutdown is immediate and
no configured delay is counted down.
2 identical user-configured critical events such as UPS On Battery occurring in succession on 2 UPS devices will cause a shutdown. Any configured del ay is counted down first.
2 different critical events (such as Low-Battery Condition Occurred and PowerChute cannot communicate with the Management Card ) occurring in succession on 2 UPS devices cause the event
called Multiple Critical Events occurred which always leads to a shutdown. Prior to the PowerChute shutdown process starting, a 10-second delay is counted. No configured delay time is counted down.
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Critical Events in a Parallel-UPS Configuration

In Parallel-UPS configurations, the combined outputs of several UPS devices support the load. With this setup, PowerChute monitors the load as it changes to determi ne whether the mode of operation is Parallel Capacity or Parallel Redundant.
For example, you are operating in a Parallel Redundant mode (i.e., there are more UPS devices available than are required to provide power to the load) and then y ou i ncrease the load by adding new servers. PowerChute detects if the mode of operation changes to Parallel Capacity (i.e., all UPS devices in the configuration are now required to provide power to the load). This could cause PowerChute to initiate a shutdown if just one critical event is triggered.
Scenario 1: Three 10kVA UPS devices supporting a 16kVA Server Load (Parallel Redundant)
In this Parallel Redundant configuration, two or more critical events occurring cause PowerChute to trigger a graceful shutdown of the server(s).
PowerChute follows these shutdown rules.
2
identical critical events (such as Low-Battery Condition: Occurred OR UPS turn off has bee
i
nitiated) occurring in succession on 2 UPS devices cause a shutdown. The shutdown is immediate an
no
configured delay is counted down.
n
d
2 identical user-configured critical events such as UPS: On Battery occurring in succession on 2 UPS devices will cause a shutdown. Any configured del ay is counted down first.
2 different critical events (such as Low-Battery Condition: Occurred and PowerChute cannot communicate with the Management Card ) occurring in succession on 2 UPS devices cause the event
called Multiple Critical Events occurred which always leads to a shutdown. Prior to the PowerChut s
hutdown process starting, a 10-second delay is counted. No configured delay time is counted down.
e
Scenario 2: Three 10kVA UPS devices supporting a 13kVA Server Load (Parallel Capacity)
In this Parallel Capacity configuration, one critical event triggers a graceful shutdown of the server(s). However, if 2 occur, they have these delays.
I
f 2 identical critical events occur in a parallel capacity conf i guration, then the event is only reported onc
and
any configured delay is counted down.
If 2 different critical events occur, then both events are reported separately and the shortest shutdow del
ay of the two is counted down.
e
n
Scenario 3: Two 10kVA UPS devices supporting an 8kVA Server Load (Parallel Capacity)
In this Parallel Capacity configuration, one critical event occurs and graceful shutdown of the server(s) is not triggered as the single UPS device can still support the co nnected load.
Scenario 4: Two 10kVA UPS devices supporting an 8kVA Server Load (Parallel Capacit y)
In this Parallel Capacity configuration, two identical critical ev ents occurring causes PowerChute to trigger a graceful shutdown of the server(s). The shutd own is immediate and no configured delay is counted down.
59

General

This section contains information on the topics below:
Communications Settings
PowerChute Agents
PowerChute Configuration (INI) File
J
ava Update
User Interface Session Timeout
Check for Updates
Customer Support
Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP)
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If you forget your password, see

Communications Settings

PowerChute Access

HTTPS is enabled by default and provides secure access t o the PowerChute user interface. You may change the Protocol to HTTP (unencrypted) and this will come into eff ect after you restart the PowerChute service. For more information, please see Application Note “PowerChute Network Shutdown Security Features Overview” here.

PowerChute Security

The Username and Authentication Phrase are used to authenticate communications between PowerChute and the NMC. Therefore, you must set these values to be the same in both PowerChute and the NMC.
The maximum number of characters for the user nam e i s 10.
The authentication phrase must be 15 to 32 ASCII charact ers.
The password specified here is unique to PowerChut e. The password requires:
Minimum 8 and maximum 128 characters in length
One upper and lower case letter
One number and special character
The username also cannot be part of the password.
Changes to the Username, Password and Authentication Phrase are logged to the event log. For more information see Non-Configurable Events.
If PowerChute is registered with more than one NMC, they should all use the same administrator user name and authentication phrase.
Click the Check Details button on the Communications Settings page to validate that the PowerChute settings are the same as the NMC(s).
Resetting your PowerChute username or password.
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General
If you uninstall a PowerChute Agent, its IP addre ss remains registered with the NMC and must be removed manually using the NMC UI.

PowerChute Agents

The PowerChute Agents page, under the UPS Configuration menu option, lists all PowerChute Agents registered with the same NMC(s).
Loading this screen may be slow as PowerChute tries to resolve the host name for each Agent. If the host name cannot be resolved, just the IP address will be displa yed. You can click on an IP address to launch the PowerChute user interface for that Agent.
A maximum of 50 PowerChute Agents can be registered with a single NMC. For more information, please view Application Note “PowerChute Network Shutdown with more than 50 computers” here.
If System Problem Report is displayed when accessing the screen, this is because PowerChute has not received the information it requires from the NMC(s). During normal operation, this can happen due to network traffic. Try the menu selection again in a few minutes.
This may also occur if PowerChute cannot establish communication with the NMC. See Network Management Card Troubleshooti ng.
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PowerChute Configuration File

PowerChute stores all its settings in a configuration file called pcnsconfig.ini, located in the group1 folder where PowerChute is installed.
This file is updated when running the PowerChute Setup and when you make configuration changes through the user interface, e.g. enabling shutdown actions for ev ents.
After you have configured one installation of PowerChut e wit h your required settings you can use the pcnsconfig.ini file to apply the same settings to another copy of PowerChute on a different machine. Certain settings such as the localHostAddress or UnicastAddress values in the [Networking] section will need to be edited manually for the target machine.
To apply the settings on the target machine: Stop the PowerChute service. For more information, see Knowledge Base article FA290624 (Enter "FA290624" at
https://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/home/).
Replace the existing copy of pcnsconfig.ini in the group1 folder. Start the PowerChute service.

Resetting your PowerChute username or password

If you forget your username or password, you can re-set them by editi ng t he pcnsconfig.ini file. In the [NetworkManagementCard] section of the INI file, set the followin g li nes with your new values:
username= new user name password= new password
Save the file and re-start the PowerChute service.
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General
PowerChute v4.3+ supports Java 11 or above. You can only update the Java version used

Java Update

The Java Update feature enables you to change the Jav a Runtime Environment (JRE) used by PowerChute to any other JRE already installed on your system. Follow the steps below to update the Java version used by PowerChute.
1. Download a valid JRE on your system. JREs can be downloaded from the OpenJDK website.
with PowerChute to a 64-bit JRE. The Java versions supported by PowerChute a re posted on the APC website at
http://www.apc.com/wp/?um=200.
2. Navigate to the PowerChute installation directory, and create a new folder called “Updates”. If
the default installation directory was chosen during installation, this location will be:
• /C:\Program Files\APC\PowerChute\Updates for Windows systems
• /opt/APC/PowerChute/Updates/ for Linux systems
3. Copy the Java file downloaded in Step 1 above to the Updates directory.
4. Navigate to the About screen in the PowerChute UI (Help > About). In the Java Update
Available field, the downloaded Java file will be listed in a drop-down box.
5. Select the Java version you want to update PowerChute to use from the drop-down box, and
click Upgrade.
6. A confirmation dialog will appear. Click OK.
7. Another dialog will appear and PowerChute restarts. Wait 2-3 minutes for the Java version to
successfully update.
8. When the PowerChute service restarts, refresh your browser and navigate to the About
screen. The Java Version field will be updated to show the new Java used by PowerChute.
It is not necessary to keep the downloaded Java fil es in the Updates directory after the Java update is complete.
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User Interface Session Timeout

The PowerChute user interface has a ten minute sessi on timeout by default. Following ten minutes of inactivity, the session will be terminated and the login screen will display to enter the username and password. It is possible to increase or decrease the duration of the session timeout by editing the Web.xml file.
To change the session timeout duration:
1. Stop the PowerChute service. For more information, see Knowledge Base article FA290624 (Enter "FA290624"
2. Open the folder where the installed files are located, and locate the file at the following location:
\group1\comp\http\html\WEB-INF\web.xml
Open the Web.xml file with a text editor.
3. Locate the the <session-config> element, e.g:
<session-config>
<session-timeout>10</session-timeout>
at https://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/home/).
</session-config>
4. The duration value in the <session-timeout> element can be changed. For example to change the timeout to 15 minutes, change the <session-timeout> value to 15, e.g.:
<session-config>
<session-timeout>15</session-timeout>
</session-config>
5. Save the Web.xml file.
6. Start the PowerChute service.
The PowerChute UI will now timeout following a period of inactivity that corresponds to the new <session- timeout> value.
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General

Check for Updates

The Enable Automatic Updates feature is selected by default and informs you when a new software update is available.
When enabled, PowerChute checks for available software updates when the service is started and every seven days after that. You can also check for updates immediately by clicking the Check Now button.
When a new software version is released, key details and a link to download the new version are displayed on the Check for Updates screen and logged in the Event Log and MIB browser via SNMP traps.
You can disable the software update notifications feature on t he last screen of the PowerChute Setup wizard or on the Check for Updates page.
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Customer Support

For customer support options, please visit www.apc.com/support as a starting point. The Knowledge Base there contains detailed t roubleshooting information for product issues. You can also browse discussion forums or submit a q uery using e-mail. For country-specific support centers’ contact det ails, go to www.apc.com/support/contact and select your country
from the drop-down box list. This lists the contact det ails for support services you may require.
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General

Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP)

PowerChute's Customer Experience Improvement Program (CEIP) provides us with the information that enables us to improve our product and services, and helps us to advise you on how best to deploy and configure PowerChute.
As part of the CEIP, we will collect certain information about how you configure and use PowerChute Network Shutdown in your environment. This information is completely anonymous, and cannot be used to personally identity any individual. For more information, please refer to the CEIP Frequency Asked Questions on the APC website.
By default, you are participating in the PowerChute CEIP. If you prefer not to participate, unselect the Join PowerChute Customer Experience Improvement Program ("CEIP") checkbox in the PowerChute CEIP page. You can join or leave the CEIP at any time.
68

Troubleshooting

This section contains information on the topics below:
Network Management Card Troubleshooting
Br
owser Troubleshooting
SS
SN
Gene
H Actions Troubleshooting MP Troubleshooting
ral Troubleshooting
69
Troubleshooting

Network Management Card Troubleshooting

PowerChute does not register with the Network Management Card(s) or PowerChute reports communications lost with the Network Management Card(s):

1. Verify that the Administrator Username and Authentication Phrase are the same for PowerChute and the NMC.
2. Verify that UDP port 3052 is not being blocked by a f i rewall.
3. Check the IP settings on the PowerChute machine and on the NMC user interface to verify that the default gateway and subnet mask are correct.
4. Check that the IP address of the Network Managem ent Card has not changed after PowerChute was registered with the NMC. To check this, click on the Communications Settings menu item in PowerChute and check that the IP address shown in the Network Managem ent Card section is correct.
5. Verify that there is a network connection between t he PowerChute client computer and the Network Management Card. Attempt to access the Networ k Management Card from the PowerChute client computer, or use the ping utility from the Network Management Card.
6. A PowerChute Network Shutdown client that acquires its IP address through DHCP will lose communications with the Network Management Card when the client renews its DHCP address lease and acquires a different IP address. To resolve this iss ue,each system using PowerChute Network Shutdown must have a permanent IP address. Reserve IP addresses in the DHCP server by using the MAC address of the clients, so that they never change f or the specified machines. The NMC should also have a static IP address.
7. Verify that the PowerChute service is started. If it is already started, stop the service and then restart it again.
8. Update the firmware on the NMC to the latest version which can be downloaded from the APC Web site, or contact “Customer Support”.
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Browser Troubleshooting

The PowerChute Web UI is accessed using a browse r. F or a l ist of supported browsers please view the Operating
System Compatibility chart.
PowerChute requires cookies and JavaScript to be enabled in the browser in order to function correctly. If cookies are being blocked this will prevent logging into the PowerChute UI. To avoid this, allow cookies for the PowerChute URL.

Known Issues with Internet Explorer

IE Enhanced Security is enabled by default for most Window s operating systems and this can block JavaScript for the PowerChute Application - to av oi d this add the PowerChute URL to the Trusted Sites List under Tools - Internet Options - Security.
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Troubleshooting

SSH Actions Troubleshooting

Error shown on screen when session times out

When the user session times out or the PowerChute service restarts, clicking on the edit or delete icons on the SSH List View screen will result in an error message being shown on screen. Click on any of the menu items to return to the log in screen.
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SNMP Troubleshooting

The Network Management System (NMS) cannot connect to PowerChute via SNMPv1:

1. Verify that there is a network connection between t he NMS and PowerChute.
2. Verify that the SNMP Port specified during installation (161 by default) is not blocked for inbound communications by a firewall.
3. Verify that SNMPv1 is enabled in the PowerChute.
4. Verify that the Community Name specified in Power Chute matches the Community Name used by the NMS. The Community Name is case sensitive.
5. Verify that the NMS IP or Hostname specified in Power Chute matches the IP/Hostname of the NMS.
6. Verify that the Access Type specified in PowerC hut e is set to Read for SNMP Get requests, or Read/Write for SNMP Set requests.

The Network Management System (NMS) cannot connect to PowerChute via SNMPv3:

1. Verify that there is a network connection between t he NMS and PowerChute.
2. Verify that the SNMP Port specified during installation (161 by default) is not blocked for inbound communications by a firewall.
3. Verify that SNMPv3 is enabled in the PowerChute.
4. Verify that the User Name specified in PowerChute matches the User Name used by the NMS. The user name is case sensitive.
5. Verify that the Authentication Protocol. Authenti cat ion Passphrase, Privacy Protocol and Privacy Passphrase used by the NMS match those specified in PowerChute.
6. Verify that the Access Type specified in PowerC hut e is set to Read for SNMP Get requests, or Read/Write for SNMP Set requests.

SNMP Traps sent by PowerChute are not received by the NMS:

1. Verify that there is a network connection between P owerChute and the NMS.
2. Verify that a Trap receiver has been added in PowerChute:
Verify that the UDP Port specified (162 by default) is not blocked for outbound communications by a firewall.
Verify that the SNMPv1 Community Name, or SNMPv3 User Profile used to send the Trap is configured in the NMS.
Verify that the Privacy Protocol selected is compat i bl e with the Java JRE used by PowerChute:
Verify that the SNMP Trap Receiver Test was successful.
3. Verify that Traps for UPS Critical events are enabl ed.
4. Verify that Traps for Lost Communication event s are enabled.
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Troubleshooting

General Troubleshooting

The PowerChute service does not start if m11.cfg file is missing

If the m11.cfg file is moved, renamed, or deleted, the PowerChute service cannot start. If the m11.bak file is present, PowerChute will restore the m11.cfg file using this backup file when the PowerChute service is started. However, you will need to start the PowerChute service again after t he m11.cfg file is restored.
If both the m11.cfg and m11.bak files are not present, you must uninstall and reinstall PowerChute.
Administrator access is required on all operating sy stems to open and edit the m11.cfg file. Ensure that the m11.cfg file is not modified in any way.
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APC by Schneider Electric
Worldwide Customer Support
Customer support for this or any other APC by Schneider Electric product is available at no charge in any of the following ways:
• Visit the APC by Schneider Electric web site, www.apc.com to access documents in the APC Knowledge Base and to submit customer support requests.
www.apc.com (Corporate Headquarters)
Connect to localized APC by Schneider Electric web site for specific countries, each of which provides customer support information.
www.apc.com/support/
Global support searching APC Knowledge Base and using e-support.
• Contact the APC by Schneider Electric Customer Support Center by telephone or e-mail. – Local, country specific centers: go to www.apc.com/support/contact for contact information. – For information on how to obtain local customer support, contact the APC by Schneider
Electric representative or other distributor from whom you purchased your APC by Schneider Electric product.
© 2021 Schneider Electric. All Rights Reserved. Schneider Electric, APC and PowerChute are trademarks and the
property of Schneider Electric SE, its subsidiaries and affiliated companies. All other trademarks are property of their
990-4595H-001
respective owners.
01/2021
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