APC Powerchute and ESX 3.5 - has anyone really got it to work???

[willymaykett]

Hi all,

Finding the Powerchute PCNS really painful. Has anyone REALLY got 2.2.3 running with ESX 3.5U4?

I BOUGHT 2.2.3, installed fine. Configuration fails with VMWARE not supported. Supposedly on x86 chipsets, not x64. Who runs 3.5 on x86 chipsets anyway?? I have IBM x3650 M2, won't allow me to configure.

2.2.1 looks to install OK, but I read that it won't do anything come shutdown time. Does it shut down the host at all, or just fails to shutdown the VM's?

Had a quick look at Eaton Lansafe, looks ok, but not sure what components to install, and does it work with APC?

If anybody has got any help, I would love your comments.

It is driving me CRAZY!! Points to a working solution that is fairly easy to implement and manage.

Thanks

[K-MaC]

Hello.

I cant say for sure that this will work for you. However, it looks like a few people have had success with the following methods.

http://vmetc.com/2007/11/18/how-to-use-apc-powerchute-to-shutdown-vmware-esx-3/

If not check the next thread.

http://communities.vmware.com/thread/127518

Good luck

Cheers

Kevin

[AndreTheGiant]

On ESX 3.x I usually use apcupsd that work fine with local cable (also USB) and on network (with PowerChute protocol).

On www.apcupsd.org you can see also some configuration example.

Andre

[willymaykett]

Thanks Andre,

Was looking at APCUPSD, but which version do I download for ESX 3.5 U4? There appears to be numerous versions.

Thanks for help so far.

[AndreTheGiant]

For ESX3: apcupsd-3.14.7-1.el4.i386.rpm

For ESX4: apcupsd-3.14.7-1.el5.x86_64.rpm

Andre

[willymaykett]

Thanks Andre.

If I have two UPS's that are used for a dual power supply server, doe I nned to install two "instances" each monitoring one UPS?

Also, do you know if the PCNS actgually runs the shutdown script? or does it fail to fire at all?

Thanks for help so far

[AndreTheGiant]

I haven't tried a dual monitor configuration and I do not know if it can work.

I work with Windows PowerChute you can then use PCNS protocol to "connect" the ESXs.

For the power-off be only sure that Startup/Shutdown is configurated (on each ESX) in the right way (with a Guest Shutdown instead of power-off).

Andre

[willymaykett]

Thanks mate.

I did some testing, and I used a combination of PCNS in the guest to shut down the Windows. Used 2.2.1 to shutdown the host. Modified the timers a bit so the guest shutsdown first, then the host. All testing has worked well so far.

Thanks for the suggestions.