Shutting down multiple computers with a single UPS

[Tech Freak]

Hi all,

I don't know how to look this up and I'd appreciate it if some of you would have an idea on this one:

Two servers, one UPS, only one server can be signalled to be shut down by the UPS, but I need both of them to shut down in the event of a power failure. Manufacturer (APC) offers a network management card for this, but it is very expensive.

Is there a way to instruct the first server, when signalled by the UPS to shut down, to "ask" the second server to shut down as well? With some sort of event trigger etc? This will avoid having to buy the network management card or a second UPS.

Many thanks!

[_BeanZ_]

In PowerChute, select Device Properties; there will be an option for Shutdown Sequence - you should be able set a batch file to shutdown the other server using the builtin shutdown.exe

[Tech Freak]

Got it! I'll test and report back. Many thanks :)

[Tech Freak]

Very disappointed at PowerChute software. It completely ignores the .cmd file I specify to be executed, and nothing happens. It won't execute the command file no matter what.

Another example of "great hardware, horrible software".

[markwolfe Veteran]

Well, you can use a batch file with "shutdown" or "psshutdown" to shut down remote machines. Can your UPS-tied machine initiate a script like that when it gets the signal? Seems like the quickest solution to me.

[Tech Freak]

Well, I've used shutdown.exe in a batch file, and had PowerChute initiate that batch file on power failure and it does nothing.

Is there any way to tell Windows to recognise the shutdown event, and execute the batch file? Coz the PowerChute doesn't do *!@#. And I'm using the latest version.

[markwolfe Veteran]

  Tech Freak said:

Well, I've used shutdown.exe in a batch file, and had PowerChute initiate that batch file on power failure and it does nothing.

Is there any way to tell Windows to recognise the shutdown event, and execute the batch file? Coz the PowerChute doesn't do *!@#. And I'm using the latest version.

Ok... Now what part "does nothing"? Does running the shutdown script manually work? If not, you have basic issues in your network's config. If it does work when manually initiated, then the problem is most likely in kick-starting the batch file when your UPS should be telling it to start the shutdown process.

A little more info than "does nothing" is needed.

[win2000b]

In powerchute you should set it up like this:

Normally you install all parts of powerchute on the server with the UPS attached. then you install just the agent part on the other server. When it asks which ups you want to use you select the one on the main ups server. You can then configure shutdown options :) make sense?

[selphj]

Or, for most of the model APC UPS's I use to buy there was an option for putting a NIC in it. You set an IP address for the UPS, and install remote software on each server plugged into it. Then it would do what you want all by itself.

[neufuse Veteran]

  Tech Freak said:

Very disappointed at PowerChute software. It completely ignores the .cmd file I specify to be executed, and nothing happens. It won't execute the command file no matter what.

Another example of "great hardware, horrible software".

more like another example of great hardware, good software, dumb user...

all of APC's software works great for us in our server environment to shut down 30 large HP servers... what PowerChute version are you using? personal or enterprise? there is a huge difference in what they can do...

if you are running enterprise... does the script that is called by the app have the correct permissions to be executed by the account that is running the powerchute service?

Edited June 5, 2007 by neufuse

[Guest]

A simple batch file?

shutdown /s /m \\computer01 /d "U:6:12" /c "UPS Ordering Shutdown" /t 10

shutdown /s /m \\computer02 /d "U:6:12" /c "UPS Ordering Shutdown" /t 10

[u2_storm]

how about just making a .bat file and make it beep copy and paste this <echo "> don't remove the " btw

I personally just make a .bat file and pasted <echo "" in 10 times, at least you know if the script is running or not as the computer will beep like crazy, just an idea

[markdenni]

  win2000b said:

In powerchute you should set it up like this:

Normally you install all parts of powerchute on the server with the UPS attached. then you install just the agent part on the other server. When it asks which ups you want to use you select the one on the main ups server. You can then configure shutdown options :) make sense?

Can you tell me which version of Powerchute software you are using? I tried to do this with Business Edition Basic v7.0.5, and I can't install the agent on the other server because it expects to have a UPS connected to it. If I let it search for one or tell it not to search, either way, it won't install unless I tell it what serial port to use. Should I just try specifying COM1, and then does it give me a chance later to say that the UPS is really connected to a different server?

Perhaps this is a new feature. Should I try an older or a different version of the software?

[bobbba]

  markdenni said:

Can you tell me which version of Powerchute software you are using? I tried to do this with Business Edition Basic v7.0.5, and I can't install the agent on the other server because it expects to have a UPS connected to it. If I let it search for one or tell it not to search, either way, it won't install unless I tell it what serial port to use. Should I just try specifying COM1, and then does it give me a chance later to say that the UPS is really connected to a different server?

Perhaps this is a new feature. Should I try an older or a different version of the software?

why make things complicated? just use a batch file!

[somethingthatrhymes]

Google found this:

  Quote

Run GPEDIT.MSC, then open up

- Local Computer Policy

- Computer Configuration

- Windows Settings

- Scripts (Startup / Shutdown)

[bobbba]

  somethingthatrhymes said:

Google found this:

How will that help???

Do you mean a shutdown script on the ups attached server that instructs the other server to shutdown as well? if so what if you need to shutdown the ups server for maintenance, it's going to bring the other server as well.

if you don't mean that how will a gpo startup/shutdown script help with a ups event?

[samg]

I had the same problem, in the end i shelled the ?100 (or was it ?150?) for the network shutdown. So much easier. Provides a web interface where you can check levels etc too. All it needs is a service on each server then you type the IP into the web interface of the servers.

Currently setting this up at work for 3 UPS's 15 servers.

[bobbba]

  illmonkey said:

I had the same problem, in the end i shelled the ?100 (or was it ?150?) for the network shutdown. So much easier. Provides a web interface where you can check levels etc too. All it needs is a service on each server then you type the IP into the web interface of the servers.

Currently setting this up at work for 3 UPS's 15 servers.

doesn't sound like money well spent...

[samg]

  bobbba said:

doesn't sound like money well spent...

It would of taken me a lot longer to setup a script and test versus just spending ?100 on a network interface and enter a few ip's in. Its corprate money and I have better things to do, they'd pay more money for me wasting my time with me writing a script than just spending the ?100...