[Apcupsd-users] Help with SURTD3000RMXLI

Discussion:

Alan Spark

2017-02-13 11:59:43 UTC

Hi,

We have a SURTD3000RMXLI and would like to monitor its status by way
of daily emails or alerts when something goes wrong with the battery.

I have looked at the PowerChute software and although it can talk to
the UPS and report status information, it really is too heavyweight
for our needs and is not compatible with our target Ubuntu server.

We've tried apsupcd on one of our USB UPS devices and it works
perfectly but on this serial based one things are proving more
difficult. We are using the 940-1525A cable.

These are the configuration settings that I am using (currently on
Windows via a USB to serial cable but I have also tried on Ubuntu
using a direct serial connection and get the same results):

UPSCABLE 940-0625A
UPSTYPE apcsmart
DEVICE COM4
UPSCLASS standalone
UPSMODE disable

I get the error "PANIC! Cannot communicate with UPS via serial port."
with these settings.

Does anyone have any experience using our particular UPS with apsupcd
or have any idea why it doesn't work? Am I using the wrong protocol?

Regards,
Alan

Adam Kropelin

2017-02-13 14:51:03 UTC

Permalink

The RT models can be problematic for apcupsd as they typically do not
support the UPS-Link/apcsmart protocol. You have a couple options:

1. If the UPS has a USB port, you should be able to get basic monitoring
from that. Use "UPSTYPE usb" and "UPSCABLE usb", just like a "normal" USB
based UPS. This will get you runtime remaining and on-battery status but
not much else.

2. If your UPS does not have a USB port or if you desire more complete
monitoring output, you may be able to use the modbus protocol. This often
requires a firmware upgrade on the UPS in order to enable support for it.
If the UPS is fairly new, the firmware might support modbus already. Grovel
through the menus and see if you can find an option to enable modbus.
Apcupsd can be configured to use modbus over RS232 or USB using "UPSTYPE
modbus" and "UPSCABLE usb" or "UPSCABLE smart".

--Adam

Post by Alan Spark
Hi,
We have a SURTD3000RMXLI and would like to monitor its status by way
of daily emails or alerts when something goes wrong with the battery.
I have looked at the PowerChute software and although it can talk to
the UPS and report status information, it really is too heavyweight
for our needs and is not compatible with our target Ubuntu server.
We've tried apsupcd on one of our USB UPS devices and it works
perfectly but on this serial based one things are proving more
difficult. We are using the 940-1525A cable.
These are the configuration settings that I am using (currently on
Windows via a USB to serial cable but I have also tried on Ubuntu
UPSCABLE 940-0625A
UPSTYPE apcsmart
DEVICE COM4
UPSCLASS standalone
UPSMODE disable
I get the error "PANIC! Cannot communicate with UPS via serial port."
with these settings.
Does anyone have any experience using our particular UPS with apsupcd
or have any idea why it doesn't work? Am I using the wrong protocol?
Regards,
Alan
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Alan Spark

2017-02-14 10:23:37 UTC

Permalink

Thanks for your response.

Unfortunately we do not have a USB port on this model, only RJ45
(Serial Com). The unit is almost 5 years old so I think it is unlikely
that it has modbus support, but I did try and I got a COMMLOST status
and timeouts when running apctest. The fact that we no longer get the
"PANIC" message was slightly encouraging but I'm not sure we can read
much into that. I think it's likely that modbus just isn't supported
on our unit.

It sounds like a firmware upgrade may be the only option but as this
unit has been running reliably for 5 years we are a bit nervous about
changing the firmware, especially when it is our primary unit.

I think in the short term we may have to settle for PowerChute on this unit.

Alan

Post by Adam Kropelin
The RT models can be problematic for apcupsd as they typically do not
1. If the UPS has a USB port, you should be able to get basic monitoring
from that. Use "UPSTYPE usb" and "UPSCABLE usb", just like a "normal" USB
based UPS. This will get you runtime remaining and on-battery status but not
much else.
2. If your UPS does not have a USB port or if you desire more complete
monitoring output, you may be able to use the modbus protocol. This often
requires a firmware upgrade on the UPS in order to enable support for it. If
the UPS is fairly new, the firmware might support modbus already. Grovel
through the menus and see if you can find an option to enable modbus.
Apcupsd can be configured to use modbus over RS232 or USB using "UPSTYPE
modbus" and "UPSCABLE usb" or "UPSCABLE smart".
--Adam

Post by Alan Spark
Hi,
We have a SURTD3000RMXLI and would like to monitor its status by way
of daily emails or alerts when something goes wrong with the battery.
I have looked at the PowerChute software and although it can talk to
the UPS and report status information, it really is too heavyweight
for our needs and is not compatible with our target Ubuntu server.
We've tried apsupcd on one of our USB UPS devices and it works
perfectly but on this serial based one things are proving more
difficult. We are using the 940-1525A cable.
These are the configuration settings that I am using (currently on
Windows via a USB to serial cable but I have also tried on Ubuntu
UPSCABLE 940-0625A
UPSTYPE apcsmart
DEVICE COM4
UPSCLASS standalone
UPSMODE disable
I get the error "PANIC! Cannot communicate with UPS via serial port."
with these settings.
Does anyone have any experience using our particular UPS with apsupcd
or have any idea why it doesn't work? Am I using the wrong protocol?
Regards,
Alan
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Mark Claussen

2017-02-14 14:34:07 UTC

Permalink

I recall from working with this unit (likely a SURTD30000XLT) that it uses
the db9 connector to serial communicate directly with APC "Smart Protocol"
and also the UPS serial configuration program. I also recall that by
adding the AP9616/17 (or AP9630/31) NMC, email alerts are possible
directly via wireless or RJ45 hardwired. Not an apcupsd user, so apologize
if this is not your issue.

Post by Alan Spark
Thanks for your response.
Unfortunately we do not have a USB port on this model, only RJ45
(Serial Com). The unit is almost 5 years old so I think it is unlikely
that it has modbus support, but I did try and I got a COMMLOST status
and timeouts when running apctest. The fact that we no longer get the
"PANIC" message was slightly encouraging but I'm not sure we can read
much into that. I think it's likely that modbus just isn't supported
on our unit.
It sounds like a firmware upgrade may be the only option but as this
unit has been running reliably for 5 years we are a bit nervous about
changing the firmware, especially when it is our primary unit.
I think in the short term we may have to settle for PowerChute on this unit.
Alan

not

Post by Adam Kropelin
much else.
2. If your UPS does not have a USB port or if you desire more complete
monitoring output, you may be able to use the modbus protocol. This often
requires a firmware upgrade on the UPS in order to enable support for

it. If

Post by Adam Kropelin
the UPS is fairly new, the firmware might support modbus already. Grovel
through the menus and see if you can find an option to enable modbus.
Apcupsd can be configured to use modbus over RS232 or USB using "UPSTYPE
modbus" and "UPSCABLE usb" or "UPSCABLE smart".
--Adam

------------------

Post by Adam Kropelin

Post by Alan Spark
Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most
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_______________________________________________
Apcupsd-users mailing list
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/apcupsd-users

------------------------------------------------------------

------------------

Post by Adam Kropelin
Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most
engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot
_______________________________________________
Apcupsd-users mailing list
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/apcupsd-users

------------------------------------------------------------
------------------
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engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot
_______________________________________________
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Alan Spark

2017-02-14 15:19:30 UTC

Permalink

Thanks, I was hoping that it used the "smart protocol" over serial but
that doesn't seem to be the case (at least with apcupsd and from what
Adam said).

I am currently under the impression that PowerChute is using a
propitiatory protocol to talk to the UPS.

I have looked at the NMC and that certainly is an option and I believe
acpupsd would work with that. We'll consider that and upgrading the
firmware in the longer term. However, I think we'll end up just
setting PowerChute up on a machine and periodically checking that the
battery is ok etc through the web interface. I believe it can send us
alerts if there are any failures.

Alan

Post by Mark Claussen
I recall from working with this unit (likely a SURTD30000XLT) that it uses
the db9 connector to serial communicate directly with APC "Smart Protocol"
and also the UPS serial configuration program. I also recall that by adding
the AP9616/17 (or AP9630/31) NMC, email alerts are possible directly via
wireless or RJ45 hardwired. Not an apcupsd user, so apologize if this is
not your issue.

Post by Alan Spark
Hi,
We have a SURTD3000RMXLI and would like to monitor its status by way
of daily emails or alerts when something goes wrong with the battery.
I have looked at the PowerChute software and although it can talk to
the UPS and report status information, it really is too heavyweight
for our needs and is not compatible with our target Ubuntu server.
We've tried apsupcd on one of our USB UPS devices and it works
perfectly but on this serial based one things are proving more
difficult. We are using the 940-1525A cable.
These are the configuration settings that I am using (currently on
Windows via a USB to serial cable but I have also tried on Ubuntu
UPSCABLE 940-0625A
UPSTYPE apcsmart
DEVICE COM4
UPSCLASS standalone
UPSMODE disable
I get the error "PANIC! Cannot communicate with UPS via serial port."
with these settings.
Does anyone have any experience using our particular UPS with apsupcd
or have any idea why it doesn't work? Am I using the wrong protocol?
Regards,
Alan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot
_______________________________________________
Apcupsd-users mailing list
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Ted Mittelstaedt

2017-02-15 11:38:49 UTC

Permalink

Powerchute uses the Microlink protocol on that UPS. This is proprietary.

Your SURT unit is NOT firmware upgradable per:

http://www.schneider-electric.us/en/faqs/FA164737/

The AP9616/17 likely will not work in that UPS it needs the AP9630
(which you can access from apcupsd via snmp) or the AP9620 which has the
serial port in it that will talk to apcupsd.

Ted

Post by Alan Spark
Thanks, I was hoping that it used the "smart protocol" over serial but
that doesn't seem to be the case (at least with apcupsd and from what
Adam said).
I am currently under the impression that PowerChute is using a
propitiatory protocol to talk to the UPS.
I have looked at the NMC and that certainly is an option and I believe
acpupsd would work with that. We'll consider that and upgrading the
firmware in the longer term. However, I think we'll end up just
setting PowerChute up on a machine and periodically checking that the
battery is ok etc through the web interface. I believe it can send us
alerts if there are any failures.
Alan

Post by Alan Spark
Hi,
We have a SURTD3000RMXLI and would like to monitor its status by way
of daily emails or alerts when something goes wrong with the battery.
I have looked at the PowerChute software and although it can talk to
the UPS and report status information, it really is too heavyweight
for our needs and is not compatible with our target Ubuntu server.
We've tried apsupcd on one of our USB UPS devices and it works
perfectly but on this serial based one things are proving more
difficult. We are using the 940-1525A cable.
These are the configuration settings that I am using (currently on
Windows via a USB to serial cable but I have also tried on Ubuntu
UPSCABLE 940-0625A
UPSTYPE apcsmart
DEVICE COM4
UPSCLASS standalone
UPSMODE disable
I get the error "PANIC! Cannot communicate with UPS via serial port."
with these settings.
Does anyone have any experience using our particular UPS with apsupcd
or have any idea why it doesn't work? Am I using the wrong protocol?
Regards,
Alan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most
engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot
_______________________________________________
Apcupsd-users mailing list
https://lists.sourceforge.net/lists/listinfo/apcupsd-users

Alan Spark

2017-02-16 09:30:48 UTC

Permalink

I had read somewhere about Microlink and feared that is what we have.

Thanks for the info about the network card. We'll take a look into that option.

Alan

Post by Ted Mittelstaedt
Powerchute uses the Microlink protocol on that UPS. This is proprietary.
http://www.schneider-electric.us/en/faqs/FA164737/
The AP9616/17 likely will not work in that UPS it needs the AP9630
(which you can access from apcupsd via snmp) or the AP9620 which has the
serial port in it that will talk to apcupsd.
Ted

Post by Alan Spark
Hi,
We have a SURTD3000RMXLI and would like to monitor its status by way
of daily emails or alerts when something goes wrong with the battery.
I have looked at the PowerChute software and although it can talk to
the UPS and report status information, it really is too heavyweight
for our needs and is not compatible with our target Ubuntu server.
We've tried apsupcd on one of our USB UPS devices and it works
perfectly but on this serial based one things are proving more
difficult. We are using the 940-1525A cable.
These are the configuration settings that I am using (currently on
Windows via a USB to serial cable but I have also tried on Ubuntu
UPSCABLE 940-0625A
UPSTYPE apcsmart
DEVICE COM4
UPSCLASS standalone
UPSMODE disable
I get the error "PANIC! Cannot communicate with UPS via serial port."
with these settings.
Does anyone have any experience using our particular UPS with apsupcd
or have any idea why it doesn't work? Am I using the wrong protocol?
Regards,
Alan
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Check out the vibrant tech community on one of the world's most
engaging tech sites, SlashDot.org! http://sdm.link/slashdot
_______________________________________________
Apcupsd-users mailing list
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Mark Claussen

2017-02-16 14:00:38 UTC

Permalink

Alan - May have this info already, but if not:
http://www.apc.com/us/en/faqs/FA156573/

Post by Alan Spark
I had read somewhere about Microlink and feared that is what we have.
Thanks for the info about the network card. We'll take a look into that option.
Alan

Post by Ted Mittelstaedt
Powerchute uses the Microlink protocol on that UPS. This is

proprietary.

Post by Ted Mittelstaedt
http://www.schneider-electric.us/en/faqs/FA164737/
The AP9616/17 likely will not work in that UPS it needs the AP9630
(which you can access from apcupsd via snmp) or the AP9620 which has the
serial port in it that will talk to apcupsd.
Ted

Post by Mark Claussen
I recall from working with this unit (likely a SURTD30000XLT) that it

uses