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CARiale
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APC PCNS on ESX 4

Looks like APC pulled their PCNS for ESX. Does anyone know why? Or, are they hiding it? I looked on their website and FTP site. I found a thread in the ESX 3.5 forum that pointed to a URL, but the file is no longer there.

Version 224 install notes say it will work on VMWare, but when I install it, it says that version does not support ESX.

Thanks,

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ctcbod
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Yep - $99 dollars i'm affraid - but It does work, so in my eyes it's worth the cash. Woks well in conjunction with the auto shutdown parameters in VC.

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CARiale
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Let me add that 223 installed all the way (JRE too), but the configuration script would not run. 224 would not even install.

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AndreTheGiant
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I do not remember where is PowerChute for ESX and if is free.

But on full ESX I use apcupsd (http://www.apcupsd.org/) and it works fine.

Just install the RH x64 version (if you use ESX 4.0).

Andre

Andrew | http://about.me/amauro | http://vinfrastructure.it/ | @Andrea_Mauro
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CARiale
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Can the server be added to the list of PowerChute clients and therefore controlled by the Smart-UPS? Or, does it end up having it's own control interface?

See the attached screen shot.

Also, Some people have suggested that the PCNS agent be loaded on each VM to shut them down ahead of the ESX box. But if the ESX box is given enough of a warning that the power is going off, and ESX is set to shut down each VM, should that be enough?

Thanks,

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CARiale
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Can the ESX server be added to the list of PowerChute clients so it is managed the same as other servers, or does it end up having its own control interface? See attachment.

Also, some people have suggested that PCNS be loaded on each VM as usual, but if the ESX server has the VMs set for auto startup and shutdown, and has enough warning that the power is going off, should that be enough?

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ctcbod
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I've not installed PCNS on 4.0 yet (i'm going to look into over the next few weeks) but based on your screenshot, It looks like you have old firmware on you Network Management Card - you'll need to update this.

Then once you've installed PCNS on the ESX, it will ask for the IP of the NMC and register the server. You can then manage it as normal - well that's the theory that worked for me with 3.5!!

Your right about PCNS on the VMs - it can be done but if your shutdown settings in VCS are all on order, I can't see the point.

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AndreTheGiant
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No idea about it.

Heve a look at apcupsd documentation.

Andre

Andrew | http://about.me/amauro | http://vinfrastructure.it/ | @Andrea_Mauro
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CARiale
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Have you found the software on APC's website to install on ESX 4?

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ctcbod
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Not yet, but I was just going to install 2.2.4 as this is supposed to support esx 4.0

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CARiale
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224 won't even install. It immediately returns the message that the software does not support ESX or ESXi.

223 installed (including the JRE), but when I ran the config script, it said that it didn't support VMWare.

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ctcbod
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I've not tried yet, but it seems strange since APC compatibility guide clearly says that it's supported. Seing as APC decided that this was a paid for product since 223, I guess it's best to get onto APC support. I'll be trying it in a week or so will let you know if I get any joy.

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CARiale
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Here's a transcript of a chat session I just had with APC - you'll love it!

Vathsa: Charles, the software compatible with

VMware is mentioned in the below link. You have to go for Purchase download or

Puchase CD for this software.

Vathsa: http://www.apc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=127&ISOCountryCode=US

Charles: Purchase?!?!??! All your other software

is free. How come? How much?

Vathsa: For this VMware you have to go for

purchase. The free versions are not compatible with VMware.

Charles: $99 - that's

robbery!

Charles: Why?

Vathsa: I understand your concern. But if you

use VMware, then you have to purchase.

Vathsa: Charles, the latest

firmware version for AP9617 is v3.7.1. But before that, you have upgrade the

firmware to v3.5.8 and then you v3.7.1. Please refer the below link to download

the compatible firmware for your smart UPS

Vathsa: Link for v3.5.8:

ftp://restrict:Kop$74!@ftp.apcc.com/restricted/hardware/nmcard/firmware/sumx/358/apc_hw02_aos361_sumx358.exe

Charles: Did you send me a link? The page I was

looking at I see 358 on the website, but the link takes me to 503. I don't see

371.

Vathsa: Link for v3.7.1:

ftp://restrict:Kop$74!@ftp.apcc.com/restricted/hardware/nmcard/firmware/sumx/358/apc_hw02_aos361_sumx358.exe

Vathsa: But before that, you have upgrade the

firmware to v3.5.8 and then you v3.7.1. Please refer the below link to download

the compatible firmware for your smart UPS

Vathsa: Also kindly refer the below knowledge

base link for instructions on how to upgrade the firmware on an APC Network

Management Card.

Vathsa:

Charles: The link you sent

for 371 is the same as 358

Vathsa: Sorry for that, but please hold a

moment.

Vathsa: Charles, I am sorry to say that the link

for v3.7.1 is broken and the concerned team will be working on that. I will be

sending the link to your Email ID within 1 business day so that I can check with

the team during this time. Thank you for all the details you have provided.

Charles: That's what I mean, some of the links

are broken

Vathsa: Okay.

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IRIX201110141
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Well,

APC offer a "PCNS for VMware" since late 2008 so this is nothing new or a something to get worry about. In the old ESX 3.5 days it was possible to install the normal PCNS 2.2.2 for Linux but this wasnt supportet by APC (but it works great!). All newer versions wont run under 3.5 or higher any more.

If you bought PCNS 2.2.4 for VMware it works also on a vSPHERE ESX Host.

Regards

Joerg

'Remember if you found this or others answers helpful do not forget to award points by marking an answer as helpful or correct'

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ctcbod
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Just to update this - pcns 223 (for vmware) works fine on ESX 4.0.

If you had pcns 223 on esx 3.5 then upgraded your esx to 4, you'll find that pcns is removed during the upgrade (well ii did on mine) so it may need to be re-installed.

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CARiale
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Thanks - where did you get the pcns 223 specifically for vmware? The pcns 223 for Linux does not work.

>>> ctcbod <communities-emailer@vmware.com> 2/11/2010 10:44 AM >>>

,

A new message was posted in the thread "APC PCNS on ESX 4":

http://communities.vmware.com/message/1475034#1475034

Author : ctcbod

Profile : http://communities.vmware.com/people/ctcbod

Message:

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IRIX201110141
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You can buy it on the APC shopping webpage or from your local dealer. We have to paid around 100 bucks. All what you get is a CDROM and there is no license key or similiar Smiley Wink

Regards

Joerg

'Remember if you found this or others answers helpful do not forget to award points by marking an answer as helpful or correct'

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ctcbod
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Yep - $99 dollars i'm affraid - but It does work, so in my eyes it's worth the cash. Woks well in conjunction with the auto shutdown parameters in VC.

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CARiale
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It worked! Spent the $100. Better to be safe than sorry!!

Thank you!!

Somehow my Communities Account got screwed up, now I have to contact community_mgr@vmware.com<mailto:community_mgr@vmware.com>

What a Big Pain!

>>> ctcbod <communities-emailer@vmware.com> 2/12/2010 4:25 AM >>>

,

A new message was posted in the thread "APC PCNS on ESX 4":

http://communities.vmware.com/message/1475609#1475609

Author : ctcbod

Profile : http://communities.vmware.com/people/ctcbod

Message:

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lvfranz
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You can rename /etc/vmware-release launch PCNS.2.2.4 and run configure than renstore /etc/vmware-release with original file name

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