Schneider Electric IT Corporation TME10992-001 PowerChute Serial Shutdown v1.0 Installation Guide

Schneider Electric IT Corporation TME10992-001 PowerChute Serial Shutdown

v1.0

Product Information

The PowerChute Serial Shutdown v1.0 is a software application designed and developed by Schneider Electric IT Corporation. It is used for managing the shutdown process of uninterruptible power supply (UPS) devices in data centers. This software ensures the safe and efficient shutdown of connected equipment during power outages or other critical events.
Please note that the information provided in this user manual is not warranted to be authoritative, error-free, or complete. Schneider Electric IT Corporation assumes no liability for any damages, violations of codes, improper installation, system failures, or other problems that may arise from the use of this publication.

Product Usage Instructions

Installation Overview
The installation process for the PowerChute Serial Shutdown Agent involves several steps. Please refer to the following sections for detailed instructions on installing and configuring the software.

Product Center
The Product Center is the central hub for managing the PowerChute Serial Shutdown Agent. It provides access to various features and settings related to UPS devices and system requirements.

PowerChute Serial Shutdown Agent
The PowerChute Serial Shutdown Agent is a software component that communicates with UPS devices and initiates the shutdown process when necessary. It is compatible with various operating systems and supports different types of UPS devices.

Operating Systems and UPS Devices
The PowerChute Serial Shutdown Agent is compatible with a range of operating systems. Please ensure that your system meets the specified requirements before proceeding with the installation.

Supported UPS Types
The PowerChute Serial Shutdown Agent supports multiple types of UPS devices. Make sure that your UPS device is compatible with the software before installation.

System, UPS, and Cable Requirements
Before installing the PowerChute Serial Shutdown Agent, ensure that your system meets the specified requirements. Additionally, check the compatibility of your UPS device and the necessary communication cables.

Installing the PowerChute Agent
Follow these steps to install the PowerChute Serial Shutdown Agent

1. Before installation, review the guidelines provided in the “Before you Install PowerChute Serial Shutdown” section.
2. Ensure compatibility between different versions and components as mentioned in the “Compatibility of Different Versions and Components” section.
3. Verify the username and password requirements outlined in the “Username and Password Requirements” section.
4. If applicable, check for IPv6 compatibility as described in the “IPv6 Compatibility” section.
5. For Windows installations, follow the instructions provided in the “Windows Installation” section.
6. Perform a silent installation of a Windows Agent if required, following the steps mentioned in the “Silent Installation of a Windows Agent” section.
7. Learn how to start, stop, and uninstall the PowerChute Serial Shutdown Agent on Windows by referring to the respective sections.
8. If using Windows Server 2012/2016/2019/2022 Server Core, follow the instructions in the “Windows Server 2012/2016/2019/2022 Server Core : Installing and Uninstalling PowerChute” section.

By following these instructions, you will successfully install and configure the PowerChute Serial Shutdown Agent for managing UPS devices on your system.

Schneider Electric IT Corporation Legal Disclaimer
The information presented in this manual is not warranted by the Schneider Electric IT Corporation to be authoritative, error free, or complete. This publication is not meant to be a substitute for a detailed operational and site specific development plan. Therefore, Schneider Electric IT Corporation assumes no liability for damages, violations of codes, improper installation, system failures, or any other problems that could arise based on the use of this Publication.
The information contained in this Publication is provided as is and has been prepared solely for the purpose of evaluating data center design and construction. This Publication has been compiled in good faith by Schneider Electric IT Corporation. However, no representation is made or warranty given, either express or implied, as to the completeness or accuracy of the information this Publication contains.
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Installation Overview

This installation guide serves as an introduction to PowerChute™ Serial Shutdown (PowerChute) and includes a description of the product, the installation procedure, and various troubleshooting resolutions.
See

• PowerChute Serial Shutdown Agent
• Operating Systems and UPS Devices
• System, UPS, and Cable Requirements
• Installing the PowerChute Agent
• Troubleshooting

IMPORTANT
After installing and configuring PowerChute Serial Shutdown, we strongly recommend that you test your configuration before relying on it in a production environment.

Product Center
The PowerChute Serial Shutdown Product Center page has many links to useful up-to-date information.

PowerChute Serial Shutdown Agent
PowerChute Agents with Smart-UPS devices protect your servers

The Agent provides UPS status monitoring and, in the event of an extended power outage, system shutdown capabilities for your UPS-connected servers. See Operating Systems and UPS Devices.
This software must be installed on each computer that is directly attached to one of the UPS devices mentioned in Supported UPS Devices and Accessories.
You can also monitor your PowerChute Agents using a Network Management System (NMS), via SNMP and through EcoStruxure IT™.

Operating Systems and UPS Devices
When installing PowerChute, the configuration of the Agent installed will depend on your operating system and UPS device

• For Windows operating systems, see Windows Installation.
• Manual installation will occur if the automatic detection is unsuccessful, if no UPS is attached, or if you select manual installation. See Supported UPS Types, and Installing the PowerChute Agent.
• If you are using your UPS with an Interface Expander 2 card (AP9624) or a Share-UPS (AP9207) to support multiple servers with one UPS, you will need to configure the PowerChute Agents running the devices connected to the card/Share-UPS with Simple Signaling. See Simple Signaling.

Supported UPS Types
During manual installation you will be asked to select your UPS from a list of UPS model prefixes

1. Select the model of your UPS from the list provided. The UPS model is found on the printed label at the rear of your UPS.

2. If your UPS model prefix (e.g. SMT, SMX) is not available in the drop-down list, see the definitions below to find your UPS model type

   • Type A
     Smart-UPS models with prefix SMT, SMX, SURTD, SRT, SMTL, SCL, SMC, and SRTL including models SRC2KUXI, SRC3KUXI, and SRC3KUXIX709.

   • Type B

   • Smart-UPS models excluding UPS models with prefix SMT, SMX, SURTD, SRT, SMTL, SCL, SMC, SRTL, and models SRC2KUXI, SRC3KUXI, and SRC3KUXIX709.

   • Easy Online UPS models with SRV prefix.

   • Back-UPS

All Back-UPS models are supported except models with the BP, BF, BG, and BC prefixes.
Visit Knowledge Base article FA315835 on the APC website to find out more about UPS model types.

See also : Compatibility of Different Versions and Components.

System, UPS, and Cable Requirements
Your computers must meet the requirements listed in the following sections

• System Requirements for Installation
• UPS Communications Cable Requirements

For UPS devices with outlet groups, the default outlet group is selected automatically by PowerChute.
If the UPS has Switched Outlet Groups, the default outlet group will be the first Switched Outlet Group. Otherwise, the default outlet group will be the Main Outlet Group if Switched Outlet Groups are not present.
The outlet group can be changed in the Outlet Setup screen in the PowerChute Agent and also in the Initial Setup Wizard after installation.

System Requirements for Installation
For up-to-date information on the operating systems, JRE, service packs, and processors with which PowerChute Serial Shutdown is compatible, see the latest revision of PowerChute Serial Shutdown Operating System and Processor Compatibility Chart available on the APC website.

The computer on which you install PowerChute Serial Shutdown must be a 64-bit operating system and have

• Minimum 512MB RAM
• A Pentium® 4 1.3 GHz processor, or higher.

Port Requirements
See Knowledge Base article FA159597 on the APC website for more information on the ports used by PowerChute Serial Shutdown.

Browser Requirements
Supported browsers

• Mozilla Firefox version 52+
• Google Chrome version 62+
• Microsoft Edge

To use the Agent Web user interface

• Enable JavaScript™ in your browser settings.
• Enable cookies in your browser settings.
• To access the Agent web interface using HTTPS, enable either TLS 1.2, 1.3, or higher in your browser settings. (No other versions are currently supported).

When you view the Agent, the browser will give an error saying the security certificate is not trusted. See Accessing the PowerChute Serial Shutdown Agent Interface to manage this.

UPS Communications Cable Requirements
You can connect your UPS to a server using the communications cable that is included in the box with your UPS

• The PowerChute Agent communicates with the UPS through the communications cable that connects the UPS to the communications port on the server running the PowerChute Agent.

• PowerChute supports the connection of only one type of communications cable (USB or Serial interface) from the UPS to the server at once.
  NOTE: PowerChute was not tested for usage with serial-to-USB or USB-to- serial adapters.

• IMPORTANT: Do not connect your UPS to the server with more than one communications cable at once (e.g. Serial and USB cable), as it may lead to unexpected shutdown behavior.

• See your UPS operation manual on the APC website for more information on the communications cable that is included with your UPS, or see the Product Center page for cabling requirements. Further information is also available in Knowledge Base article FA163632 on the APC website.

IMPORTANT: If you use an unsupported UPS, or an incorrect UPS communications cable to connect the UPS and server, you may not be able to complete the PowerChute Agent installation, because the PowerChute Agent will not be able to communicate with the UPS.
PowerChute installation cannot detect a device connected by a simple-signaling cable. Therefore, during installation, choose manual installation when your UPS is connected through the basic port of an Interface Expander 2 Card or a Share-UPS, and specify the port and UPS type.
See Communications Help – Troubleshooting Automatic and Manual UPS Detection.

NOTE: A UPS can only protect one computer running a PowerChute Agent at a time, unless an Interface Expander 2 card (AP9624) or a Share-UPS (AP9207) is used.

Supported UPS Devices and Accessories
PowerChute Serial Shutdown Agent can manage any UPS that is shipped with the software, including most Smart-UPSTM devices (3kVA and below) communicating using serial or USB connections. Depending on the cable and accessory used, both Smart and Simple Signaling are supported.
See also : Supported UPS Types.

NOTE: For UPS devices with outlet groups, see the Choosing which individual outlet groups to turn off in a shutdown section of the Shutdown chapter in the PowerChute Agent help. This details how outlet groups work in shutdowns.

Installing the PowerChute Agent
See the following sections

• Before you Install PowerChute Serial Shutdown
• Windows Installation
  • Starting and Stopping the PowerChute Agent on Windows
• Simple Signaling

Before you Install PowerChute Serial Shutdown
Before you perform the installation, note the following information about the installation process.

• Compatibility of Different Versions and Components
• Upgrading PowerChute Serial Shutdown
• IPv6 Compatibility

Compatibility of Different Versions and Components
PowerChute Serial Shutdown v1.0 is a 64-bit only application and cannot be installed on a 32-bit operating system.

Upgrading PowerChute Serial Shutdown
PowerChute Serial Shutdown v1.0 supports upgrades from PowerChute Business Edition v10.x only. Your PowerChute Business Edition configuration changes are copied over during the upgrade, and PowerChute Business Edition is also uninstalled as part of the upgrade process.
PowerChute v1.0 is a 64-bit only application and cannot be installed on a 32-bit operating system. If you have a 32-bit operating system, you cannot upgrade to v1.0.

Upgrade Notes

• See Operating Systems and UPS Devices.
• Following an upgrade, clear your browser cache before accessing the Agent web interface to see the latest changes.
• The Initial Setup Wizard does not show following an upgrade as your configuration settings are carried forward.

If you are unsure whether you can upgrade or not, please contact APC Worldwide Customer Support (https://www.apc.com/support/).
When the upgrade is completed, check your configuration settings to ensure that they have carried over as expected.

Username and Password Requirements

• The username must be between 6 and 128 characters in length.
• The password requires
  • Minimum 8 and maximum 128 characters in length.
  • One upper and lower case letter.
  • One number or special character (#?!@$%^*-).
• The username cannot be part of the password.
• The username and password can only contain US-ASCII characters. It is not supported to include whitespace.

It is possible to reset your username and password following installation. See topic Resetting your Username and Password in the PowerChute Serial Shutdown Agent User Guide, available in the Agent web interface, and on the APC website.

IPv6 Compatibility
The IPv6 address must be in one of these formats

the end
IPv6 Format| Description
---|---
fe80::204:61ff:254.157.241.86| dotted quad at the end, multiple zeroes collapsed
::1| localhost
fe80::| link-local prefix
2001::| global unicast prefix

Windows Installation
Follow the steps below to install PowerChute Serial Shutdown on Microsoft® Windows™. See also

• Silent Installation of a Windows Agent
• Windows Server 2012/2016/2019/2022 Server Core : Installing and Uninstalling PowerChute

NOTE
You must uninstall other types of PowerChute applications before trying to install PowerChute Serial Shutdown. These applications include PowerChute plus, PowerChute Personal Edition, PowerChute Business Edition, and PowerChute Network Shutdown.
PowerChute Serial Shutdown v1.0 supports upgrades from PowerChute Business Edition v10.x, and the installer will uninstall PowerChute Personal Edition v3.1 if it is installed on your PC. Earlier versions of PowerChute Business Edition and PowerChute Personal Edition must be manually uninstalled before attempting to install PowerChute Serial Shutdown.

Install the PowerChute Serial Shutdown Agent on Windows
Install the PowerChute Agent on each of your UPS-connected computers. See UPS Communications Cable Requirements.
Download the PowerChute pcss.zip file from the APC website, unzip the contents, and double-click the pcsssetup.exe file to start the installation.

Follow the steps below

1. Run the Nullsoft Scriptable Install System (NSIS) Setup Launcher (pcsssetup.exe). A wizard guides you through the installation process. Click Next to proceed.

2. Accept the license agreement.

3. At “Would you like to automatically search all communications ports for a UPS,” we recommend clicking Yes to allow the installation to automatically detect your connected UPS. If you select No, see Manual UPS Detection below.
   NOTE

   • A USB driver is required for Easy Online SRV UPS devices to communicate with PowerChute over USB. For more information, please refer to Knowledge Base article FAQ000223363.
   • If you want to use simple signaling with your UPS, click No to use manual UPS detection. See Simple Signaling.
   • You are not asked to select a UPS during an upgrade installation. The UPS identified during the original installation is used.
   • If the installation program cannot detect a UPS connected to your computer, it will ask you to manually select your UPS model. See Manual UPS Detection below.

4. PowerChute will ask you if you want to automatically detect a connected UPS. If PowerChute cannot detect a UPS, click Run Auto Detect to attempt to detect your UPS again, or click Next to proceed with the installation without detecting a UPS.

5. Choose the destination location for the PowerChute Agent files.
   Manual UPS Detection

   • To manually detect your UPS, you are asked to select your UPS model from a list. See Supported UPS Types.
   • You are asked to select the Communications Port to which your UPS is connected. If you are not sure, check the cable connecting the UPS to the server.
     See: Communications Help – Troubleshooting Automatic and Manual UPS Detection.

6. Enter a username and password. See Username and Password Requirements.

7. PowerChute installs. Click Next when the installation is complete.

8. Click Finish to close the installer. You have the option to automatically open the PowerChute Serial Shutdown user interface (UI) in a web browser.

For each new UPS added to your network, repeat steps 1-7 on the computer connected to the new UPS.

Silent Installation of a Windows Agent
With a normal, non-silent installation it is usually necessary to respond to prompts during the installation. Silent installations do not prompt for input, as the configuration is already defined in the answer file. If you are applying the same configuration to multiple copies of PowerChute, you can use the configuration file. For more information, see the PowerChute Serial Shutdown Agent User Guide.

If you are performing an upgrade, see important information in Upgrading PowerChute Serial Shutdown.

NOTE: If you are installing using a download, unzip pcss.zip and extract the pcsssetup.exe file before continuing.

1. Edit the silent installation file to set the required parameters. See Editing Your Silent Installation File.
2. Enter the following command in Administrator Command Promp t: pcsssetup.exe /S /F silentInstall.ini

If silent installation is unsuccessful, an error code will be written to the PCSSInstall.log file. See Error Codes for Silent Installation.

It is recommended to delete the silentInstall.ini file after successful installation as it contains the PowerChute Serial Shutdown credentials in plain text. The installer does not modify the INI file during installation.

NOTES

• Silent upgrade from PowerChute Business Edition v10.x is not supported.
• Silent uninstall of PowerChute Personal Edition v3.1 is not supported.
• Silent install of required Visual C++ Redistributable is not supported.

Silent Uninstall
To uninstall in silent mode, entry the following command in Administrator Command Prompt
“C:\Program Files\APC\PowerChute Serial Shutdown\Uninstall.exe” /S Editing Your Silent Installation File On Windows operating systems, the file that guides silent installations is named silentInstall.ini.

The file is a plain text file and can be edited with a standard text editor. Each field or line has a value that the installer needs in order to carry out the installation. The table below explains the fields available in the silent installation file.

be the absolute path, including the drive letter.

NOTE: If the path does not contain “PowerChute Serial Shutdown”, then “\APC\PowerChute Serial Shutdown” will be appended to the path.

| C:\Program Files\APC\PowerChute Serial Shutdown
AcceptEULA yes | no| Yes signifies acceptance of software license agreement. The installation will not proceed unless yes is specified here.| Yes
AutoDetect yes | no| Enable or disable auto-detection. If auto- detection is enabled, the installer will scan all communication ports for a supported UPS. The installer will abort if no supported UPS is detected.| Yes
UPSModel| The UPS model to use for this installation. This can be found on a printed label at the rear of your UPS. Enter a numeric value matching your UPS from the below list.

If your UPS is not available in below listed UPS models, then choose either “Other Type-A” or “Other Type-B” depending on below definitions.

Type A

• Smart-UPS models with prefix SMT, SMX, SURTD, SRT, SMTL, SCL, SMC, and SRTL, and models SRC2KUXI, SRC3KUXI, and SRC3KUXIX709.

Type B

• Smart-UPS models excluding UPS models with prefix SMT, SMX, SURTD, SRT, SMTL, SCL, SMC, and SRTL, and models SRC2KUXI, SRC3KUXI, and SRC3KUXIX709.
• Easy Online UPS models with SRV prefix.

NOTE: The UPSModel value will be ignored if AutoDetect is specified as yes.

UPS Models
0 = SMT, 1 = SMC, 2 = SRT, 3 = SRTL, 4 =

SU, 5 = SUA, 6 = SURT, 7 = SY, 8 = SC, 9 = SURTA, 10 = SURTD, 11 = SU4G, 12 = SRV,

13 = SMX, 14 = Back-UPS, 15 = Other Type- A, 16 = Other Type-B

|
Field Name| Description| Default Value
---|---|---
ShareUPSMode| The ShareUPSMode value should be set to a value greater than 0 if you are using your UPS with an Interface Expander 2 card (AP9624) or a Share-UPS (AP9207) to support multiple servers with one UPS.

NOTES:

• The ShareUPSMode value will be ignored if AutoDetect value is specified as yes. Auto-detection of Interface Expander 2 and Share-UPS is not supported.
• If UPSModel value is either 12 (SRV) or 14 (Back-UPS), then ShareUPSMode value must be 0.

Are you connected to a Share-UPS, Interface Expander 2, or Simple Signaling mode?

0 = No – Connected to the UPS port 1 = Yes – Interface Expander 2 port 2 = Yes – Share-UPS advanced port 3 = Yes – Share-UPS basic port

| 0
UPSPort| The communications port the UPS is connected to. This can either be a USB port or a serial (COM) port.

NOTES

• The UPSPort value will be ignored if AutoDetect value is specified as yes,

•  If you specify USB, ensure the UPS is connected to a USB port during installation. If no UPS is connected, then the required driver cannot be installed, and installation will be unsuccessful.

• If UPSModel value is 12 (SRV), only COM port values are allowed.

• If UPSModel value is 14 (Back-UPS), only USB port value (0) is allowed.

• If ShareUPSMode value is greater than 0, only COM port values are allowed.

Port Values

0 = USB

1 = COM1

2 = COM2