Hello, I have a Powerware PowerRite XT (PRXT0600A), which I am attempting to configure with nut over RS232, to allow for clean shut downs. However, so far I haven't had any luck trying to talk to it, or work out what language it speaks even. Its like it I forgot to plug it in in fact, I am not getting any response to anything. Is there any hope? Or should I be looking at getting a newer UPS that I know will work with nut? Thanks -- Brian May <brian@microcomaustralia.com.au>
Brian May <brian@microcomaustralia.com.au> writes:
I have a Powerware PowerRite XT (PRXT0600A), which I am attempting to configure with nut over RS232, to allow for clean shut downs.
However, so far I haven't had any luck trying to talk to it, or work out what language it speaks even. Its like it I forgot to plug it in in fact, I am not getting any response to anything.
Is there any hope? Or should I be looking at getting a newer UPS that I know will work with nut?
NFI about that particular unit, but strategies I have found successful in the past are: - ask the vendor (but don't necessarily believe them). - google the name plus "nut" or so. - if it supports e.g. both USB and RS232, try both. - just run each nut driver by hand and see if it complains, e.g. "/lib/nut/megatec_usb -a foo -D" Once you know what nut driver to use, it should be straightforward. If you're running a stable OS, it is also worth doing this investigation on a recent release in case nut has grown support for your unit in the interim. Here is an example if you've never used nut before: root@omega:~# egrep -v '^[[:space:]]*(#|$)' /etc/nut/* /etc/nut/nut.conf:MODE=netserver /etc/nut/ups.conf:[upset] /etc/nut/ups.conf:driver = megatec_usb /etc/nut/ups.conf:port = unused /etc/nut/upsd.conf:LISTEN * 3493 /etc/nut/upsd.users:[monslave] /etc/nut/upsd.users:password = UNPRINTABLE /etc/nut/upsd.users:upsmon slave /etc/nut/upsd.users:[monmaster] /etc/nut/upsd.users:password = UNPRINTABLE /etc/nut/upsd.users:upsmon master /etc/nut/upsmon.conf:MONITOR upset@localhost 1 monmaster UNPRINTABLE master /etc/nut/upsmon.conf:SHUTDOWNCMD "/sbin/shutdown -h +0" /etc/nut/upsmon.conf:POWERDOWNFLAG /etc/killpower /etc/nut/upssched.conf:CMDSCRIPT /upssched-cmd PS: there is also acpupsd, but AFAIK that only speaks the APC protocol and non-APC brands don't speak it, so it is not for you.
On 7 January 2013 11:45, Trent W. Buck <trentbuck@gmail.com> wrote:
- ask the vendor (but don't necessarily believe them).
It seems like the company has changed hands numerous times, so I doubt this is an option.
- google the name plus "nut" or so.
The only result I got was somebody on whirlpool looking for Windows software (without success)
- if it supports e.g. both USB and RS232, try both.
No, only serial.
- just run each nut driver by hand and see if it complains, e.g. "/lib/nut/megatec_usb -a foo -D"
Yes, tried that for every driver, didn't get anywhere.
Once you know what nut driver to use, it should be straightforward.
Yes, exactly ... Suspect I probably should just replace it with a newer UPS. For all I know the serial port is broken on this one. What brands are good? -- Brian May <brian@microcomaustralia.com.au>
James Harper <james.harper@bendigoit.com.au> wrote:
If money is no object, the APC smart series have been very good to me.
Just be sure not to buy one of the newer models that uses an undocumented, proprietary protocol. http://www.apcupsd.com/ I have an older model which has worked very reliably and prevented inconvenient data loss on a number of occasions.
On 7 January 2013 13:21, Jason White <jason@jasonjgw.net> wrote:
Just be sure not to buy one of the newer models that uses an undocumented, proprietary protocol. http://www.apcupsd.com/
That makes in awkward. I can see some models on APC website that match. I can't see anyway of being sure if the other models are ok. Not from the details on APC's website anyway. A shame, I always thought APC were Linux friendly.
On 7 January 2013 13:40, Brian May <brian@microcomaustralia.com.au> wrote:
On 7 January 2013 13:21, Jason White <jason@jasonjgw.net> wrote:
Just be sure not to buy one of the newer models that uses an undocumented, proprietary protocol. http://www.apcupsd.com/
That makes in awkward. I can see some models on APC website that match. I can't see anyway of being sure if the other models are ok. Not from the details on APC's website anyway.
A shame, I always thought APC were Linux friendly.
I asked about this on the mailing list. http://sourceforge.net/mailarchive/forum.php?thread_name=50EBE669.8090506%40... Seems like APC is fine. Use BackUPS for simple desktop use, and SmartUPS for server use, with network management module that supports standard protocols like SNMP. Even on the newer UPS. Just don't rely on USB or serial working on the new UPS, plan on purchasing the network management card. Having said that I found relatively cheap SmartUPS SUA* model (older model) on E-Bay with new battery, which I have just ordered with network card. So hopefully all protocols should work for me. -- Brian May <brian@microcomaustralia.com.au>
Brian May <brian@microcomaustralia.com.au> wrote:
Having said that I found relatively cheap SmartUPS SUA* model (older model) on E-Bay with new battery, which I have just ordered with network card. So hopefully all protocols should work for me.
Mine works very well indeed with apcupsd. It doesn't have a network card (but I'm sure there's a vacant slot in there). The status reports which it generates are comprehensive and informative (see the apcaccess status command).
On 9 January 2013 09:34, Jason White <jason@jasonjgw.net> wrote:
Mine works very well indeed with apcupsd. It doesn't have a network card (but I'm sure there's a vacant slot in there).
I am getting the SUA750RMI1U<http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251202269273> with the AP9619 network manager card. The network card comes with the APC9512Tblk Enviromental Probe (more data!). According to the specs it is suppose to have a SmartSlot, and looking at the pictures I would assume it is the panel on the back. http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=SUA... According to the seller's description, the AP9619 should work on any Smart UPS, using the SmartSlot. So fingers crossed this information is correct.
The status reports which it generates are comprehensive and informative (see the apcaccess status command).
Yes, I like having good statistics. Even if I don't *need* it :-). Hopefully will be able to graph some of the values via SNMP. Getting back to Linux, which is better for monitoring APC UPS? apcupsd or nut? -- Brian May <brian@microcomaustralia.com.au>
Brian May <brian@microcomaustralia.com.au> wrote:
Getting back to Linux, which is better for monitoring APC UPS? apcupsd or nut?
Based on what I've read, the latter is better if you need to monitor over the network - not so much of an issue, I suppose, if the UPS itself is on your LAN. Both Apcupsd and Nut support APC hardware. I don't know whether Nut can write to the configuration settings in the UPS, which apcupsd can do via a separate utility.
Jason White <jason@jasonjgw.net> writes:
Both Apcupsd and Nut support APC hardware. I don't know whether Nut can write to the configuration settings in the UPS, which apcupsd can do via a separate utility.
If it talks SNMP, surely you do that with snmputils, not apcupsd/nut? (Historical models that have a known USB/serial protocol are obviously a different kettle of fish.)
Having set up (or not because it was impossible) quite a few UPSs with Linux I'd prefer APC every day. I don't know why the other vendors haven't joined the party to the extent that APC have, but they definitely have not with the same conviction. I prefer the APC software, it seems to be pretty well written. However if closed software makes you too angry nut works fine too. Also beware of those db9 plugs - often they are not rs232 serial ports at all, but all sorts of magical UPS "standards" with pinouts more closely resembling db25 printer ports with pins actually representing various states of the unit, rather than setting up a data stream. It's been a bit of a joke really http://www.networkupstools.org/cables.html For my money I'd always go with an APC unit with USB support. If you use SNMP please change the default community strings. Better still, don't run it at all unless you want to stay awake at night in fear of being pwned ;-) Mike. ps. just don't give APC your address or you will never stop receiving marketing from them.
Michael Lindner writes:
If you use SNMP please change the default community strings. Better still, don't run it at all unless you want to stay awake at night in fear of being pwned ;-)
Er, don't you just run it on an ultimately trusted network, like ARP and DHCP? If Bad People are getting to the gooey insides of your LAN you probably have more problems than just them fiddling with the UPS.
Have you considered disconnecting the computer from the UPS, then connecting the serial to the computer or another computer and then running the UPS software in a debug mode? I'd have to boot up my Pentium 133 dinosaur to figure out how I did it last time, but the UPS app I was using had a debug mode.. I then simulated power failure etc. (turned off UPS at wall, let it run flat etc.) and watched how the serial lines changed (it switched the status lines from hi to lo etc. as opposed to actually sending data) then configured the software to match the observed behaviour. I dunno.. seems a shame to throw away a working UPS if this is the only problem.
On 06/01/13 16:43, Brian May wrote:
Hello,
I have a Powerware PowerRite XT (PRXT0600A), which I am attempting to configure with nut over RS232, to allow for clean shut downs.
However, so far I haven't had any luck trying to talk to it, or work out what language it speaks even. Its like it I forgot to plug it in in fact, I am not getting any response to anything.
Is there any hope? Or should I be looking at getting a newer UPS that I know will work with nut?
Hi Brian. A quick search found the following URL which has circuit diagrams for the UPS. http://www.eserviceinfo.com/downloadsm/42370/Powerware_PRXT0600A.html The last GIF file in the archive shows the RS232C output configuration. The RS232C output is actually an optocoupler output so the following pins are used: 1 (CD) Shutdown 3 (TxD) Power Fail 4 (DTR) Power to optocouplers 5 (GND) Low Battery 6 (DSR) Battery Status OK 8 (CTS) On Battery It's a bit of a guess on pins 6 and 8 based on my take of the circuit logic, and I can't quite understand how the CD (pin 1) is being used for the shutdown logic, so pin 1 may be routed to a different pin at the PC end. Regardless you should be able to map the pin functions according to needs using the genericups UPS type as per the manual. As it is a signals only configuration, there is no battery monitoring beyond true/false options. Hope that helps. Regards, Morrie.
On 08/01/13 01:05, Morrie Wyatt wrote:
On 06/01/13 16:43, Brian May wrote:
Hello,
I have a Powerware PowerRite XT (PRXT0600A), which I am attempting to configure with nut over RS232, to allow for clean shut downs.
However, so far I haven't had any luck trying to talk to it, or work out what language it speaks even. Its like it I forgot to plug it in in fact, I am not getting any response to anything.
Is there any hope? Or should I be looking at getting a newer UPS that I know will work with nut?
Hi Brian.
A quick search found the following URL which has circuit diagrams for the UPS.
http://www.eserviceinfo.com/downloadsm/42370/Powerware_PRXT0600A.html
The last GIF file in the archive shows the RS232C output configuration.
The RS232C output is actually an optocoupler output so the following pins are used:
1 (CD) Shutdown 3 (TxD) Power Fail 4 (DTR) Power to optocouplers 5 (GND) Low Battery 6 (DSR) Battery Status OK 8 (CTS) On Battery
It's a bit of a guess on pins 6 and 8 based on my take of the circuit logic, and I can't quite understand how the CD (pin 1) is being used for the shutdown logic, so pin 1 may be routed to a different pin at the PC end.
Looking further at the circuit, I suspect that when the UPS sets the Low Battery state, it pulls the DTR line to ground, and probably uses this to remove current from the Shutdown optocoupler LED which triggers the UPS to shutdown. This too is a guess, as I can't understand why else you would connect an optocoupler between ground and DTR.
Regardless you should be able to map the pin functions according to needs using the genericups UPS type as per the manual.
As it is a signals only configuration, there is no battery monitoring beyond true/false options.
Hope that helps.
Regards, Morrie.
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On 8 January 2013 01:05, Morrie Wyatt <morrie@mtiqualos.com.au> wrote:
http://www.eserviceinfo.com/downloadsm/42370/Powerware_PRXT0600A.html
The last GIF file in the archive shows the RS232C output configuration.
Thanks for that. I found those files, but hadn't realized the gif files where circuit diagrams. OOops. Could be a useful find. Also I saw somewhere, for a particular UPS (APC maybe?), that a standard serial cable can't be used. You need a special serial cable. Possibly to ensure the handshaking lines are connected in the correct way. So this is perhaps another another issue I faced. In any case, I think the batteries in this UPS are ancient and poor performance, so it might be better to use it on my desktop instead of my server/other networking stuff. -- Brian May <brian@microcomaustralia.com.au>
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