1. Installing and configuring APC UPS Management
1.1.
Objectives and Overview
In this lab, you will learn how to install and configure the APC UPS power management suite and the Web/SNMP Management Card.
The hardware used in this exercise is a typical UPS configuration in many small to small/medium sized business environments. It reflects the customer’s need for high availability at a reasonable cost and low complexity.
The lab encompasses:
• Small environment / serial connection
o Installation of PowerChute Business Edition (PCBE) for managing a PRIMERGY server via serial port.
o Program PowerChute for a maximum runtime shutdown strategy. • Medium sized environment / LAN connection
o Configuring and accessing the Web/SNMP Management Card (WSMC) which is included in all rack models.
o Installation and configuration of PowerChute Network Shutdown (PCNS) and integration with the WSMC.
1.2.
Requirements and Pre-requisites
• An APC UPS
• One WSMC installed in the SmartSlot and configured with an IP address and a user with administrative privileges. Username: apc, password: apc. • A Windows PC with a NIC and a serial port. The NIC must have a link
signal to enable the network interface and TCP/IP. Recommended: Current service pack installed.
• The WSMC and the PC must connect via LAN.
• The UPS must be connected via smart signaling serial cable to the PC. • A current version of PowerChute Business Edition and PowerChute
Network Shutdown. The labs are designed with PowerChute Network Shutdown v2.2.1 for Windows XP/2000/NT and PowerChute Business Edition Basic v 7.0.2
• An email client installed on the students’ computers and configured for mail access to the account [email protected] on the mail server
192.168.xxx.200.
• The SMTP mail server 192.168.xxx.200 needs an entry in the DNS server:
1.3.
Conventions
• = This symbol points out hazards that can lead non-functional
configurations, data loss, equipment damage or even personal injury;
• Text… = This symbol followed by smaller text highlights important background information and tips;
• 2.3.4 = These numbers refer to steps that you must carry out in order to continue with the procedure;
• Italics = Commands, menu items, names of buttons, options, variables, file names and path names;
• <abc> = Angle brackets are used to enclose variables which are to be replaced by actual values.
• fixed font = Screen output
2. Preparing Steps
2.1.
Activating Windows Messenger Service in Windows
Server 2003
2.1.1. Log in as administrator.
2.1.2. By default, the messenger service in Windows 2003 is disabled. To be able to send and receive instant network pop up messages, it must be activated. To do this, open the service control manager.
2.1.4. Set the Startup Type to Automatic and press OK.
2.1.6. This shows that Messenger has started. The automatic setting ensures that it will start automatically at every system reboot.
3. Installation and Configuration of PowerChute Business
Edition
3.1.
Initiating a PowerChute Business Edition Installation
• Note: This lab was designed for V7.0.2
• Start PowerChute Business Edition setup by either o Inserting the PowerChute CD, or
o Executing pcbesetup.exe which has been previously downloaded off the APC website.
Recent versions of PowerChute can be downloaded off the APC website at
http://www.apcc.com. Chose your country and pick Software and Firmware’s from within the Quick Links menu at the bottom left of the page. Then select PowerChute Business Edition Basic v 7.0.2 for Linux, Novell, Solaris or Windows.
Click on PowerChute Business Edition v7.0.2 for Windows 2003/XP/NT/2000 and download it after a free registration.
PCBE only manages UPS connected via serial port.
3.2.
Installing PCBE Agents
3.2.1. Select Agent Install
PCBE consists of three components. These are: ”Agent”: Manages the serial connection, displays messages and initiates shutdowns. „Server“: Middle-layer software which configures and manages agents distributed throughout the network. The “Server” can only be accessed through the “Console” or a web interface. „Console“: PowerChute’s UI (user interface).
3.2.4. Confirm the default installation path with Next.
3.2.5. Any existing windows UPS services are stopped and disabled.
3.2.6. Click No to select your communications port manually.
3.2.8. Enter apc both as username and password to protect access to PowerChute.
3.2.9. The UPS Agent Service is automatically created and configured.
3.3.
Installing PCBE “Server”
3.3.1. Click the corresponding Install button. 3.3.2. Click Next to continue.
3.3.4. Enter the previously defined username and password: apc.
The username and password entered here must be re-entered during all further activities, otherwise there will be no access to the PCBE „Server“.
3.3.6. The settings are updated and the PCBE server service is installed and started.
3.3.8. The PCBE server configuration starts automatically. Click Next when the login has completed.
Make sure at least one NIC has a link signal. Otherwise, no
connection to the PowerChute service is possible, causing the installation to fail.
3.3.10. Configure e-mail parameters as shown below. Substitute your server/group number for <XX> and enter the appropriate IP subnet for your classroom.
Mail servers may require the sender-address (SMTP User
Name) to exist as a mail account on the mail server. If it does not,
e-mail notification will fail.
3.3.11. Configure broadcasting options as shown below.
3.3.12. Click Keep computer on as long as possible to shut down the server when the battery has been drained.
You may select a Preserver Battery Power strategy which will actually shut the server down when you pull the plug. This is certainly more fun in class, but will not be the most likely strategy in real life!
3.3.14. Verify the Configuration Summary.
3.3.16. Pick you OWN manageable server from the list and add it to the Current Device List.
In this lab, your server will be called ServerXX, where XX is your group number.
3.3.17. Click Apply.
3.3.18. Wait while agent information is retrieved.
3.3.20. Click Register Later.
3.4.
Installing PCBE Console
3.4.1. Click the appropriate button next to Console. 3.4.2. Click Next.
3.4.4. Make sure the check box Launch PowerChute Business Edition
Console is set and click Finish to launch the console.
3.4.6. Log in to the console with username: apc and password: apc. The server should be your own (127.0.0.1)
3.4.7. The UPS has been successfully installed. Close the console.
The console displays active UPS agents. Status shows the configuration and current operating status. Analysis displays histories of events or voltages.
3.4.8. Pull the mains plug of the UPS and see what happens.
NOTE:
Remove all components again in reverse order before proceeding to the next steps.
4. Installation and Configuration of PowerChute Network
Shutdown (PCNS)
4.1.
Installing PCNS
4.1.2. Acknowledge the license agreement with I Agree.
4.1.4. Enter the IP address of your WSMC.
4.1.5. Confirm the user name and password.
4.1.6. Wait until communication has been established and then click Next.
4.1.8. Click Finished to complete the installation.
4.2.
Configuring PCNS Event Handling
The following steps will configure the UPS to
Send a notification when it goes on battery (power failure). This allows users ample time to save their work
Send another notification when the UPS shuts down the server. This is the “last call”.
Actually shut down the server when the battery is empty.
4.2.1. After opening your web interface at http://localhost:3052, click
serverXX Configure Events to open the event configuration matrix.
Then click the light-green dot in the line UPS: On Battery and the column Notify Users.
4.2.2. Set the notification parameters as shown below and click Apply.
This notifies all users on the network 5 seconds after a power failure.
Configure notification on one PCNS service only. Programming multiple PCNS services will result in a flood of notifications, since each PCNS service notifies independently of each other.
4.2.3. Back in the matrix of step 4.2.1., click the light-green dot at line
Runtime: Exceeded and column Notify Users. Set the notification
4.2.4. Back in the matrix of 4.2.1., click the light-green dot at line Runtime:
Exceeded and column Shut Down System.
4.2.5. Set the shut down options as shown below.
This programs PCNS to initiate a graceful shutdown when the battery runtime has been used up.
4.2.6. This is the resulting event matrix.
4.2.7. Pull the mains plug and see what happens.
5. Configuring the Web/SNMP Management Card for e-mail
notification in a LAN environment
PCNS only supports notification via network broadcast. For e-mails to be sent in a LAN environment it is necessary to configure the Web/SNMP Management Card (WSMC).
5.1.1. Open a browser window and connect to your WSMC by entering its IP-Address. Log in using apc as <User Name> and apc as
5.1.2. Click through Events Recipients and enter your group’s email address in the To Address window as shown.
Set all other parameters to match the screenshot and confirm by pressing Apply. Substitute your group number for x in
5.1.3. Click through Network TCP/IP & DNS to enter the DNS server:
192.168.xxx.200. Confirm the settings with Apply. Then test the DNS
lookup by entering the mail server trainer.fsctraining.com in <Query Question> and clicking apply.
Entering an IP-address directly will cause the notification to fail.
5.1.4. Now enter the mail server itself by clicking through Network Email and enter the SMTP server’s details.
Then enter your group’s mail address in <From Address>. Note that the number should be adjusted to match your group number.
5.1.5. Click through Events Actions and make sure all checkboxes for
5.1.6. Close the browser window. Pull the mains plug of the UPS and see what happens.
