APC's PCNS PowerChute Network Shutdown 2.2.3 / 2.2.1 -- questions

[tlyczko]

I observe that APC is now charging for PCNS PowerChute Network Shutdown -- $99/license.

Are there noticeable or useful improvements??

Do I need one PCNS installed per UPS??

I presently have PCNS 2.2.1 installed into 1 UPS with a NIC interface and to 1 ESX host -- can I use this software to manage multiple ESX hosts' shutdown and restart??

What is the best way to test that PCNS really works?? -- I have read and saved several forum threads and haven't been able to wrap my mind around any of the suggestions.

I read that APC is developing a VIMA solution -- is this true, will it be expensive??

Can anyone recommend good alternatives to APC UPSes??

Thank you, Tom

[khughes]

We're purchasing a single license to try out the new powerchute for ESX. As for the new version its probably not going to come out for a while and who knows on the pricing.

• Kyle

[TurinTurambar]

Hi tlyczko,

Just a little workaround : i don't like to install nothing except HW monitoring tools inside ESX COS. To control your UPS you can install the APC control agents in one physical host (Linux, Windows, ...) , from that hosts define policies, scripts, event management etc.., and then use the SSH access to the ESXs servers to launch commands like VMware-cmd, shutdown, etc ... with a little program like "plink" () from the physical host.

I hope helps.

Ciao