Hi,
Having problems getting my TS3 to shutdown on power failure.
I have a shiny new TS-XL/R5 and a shiny new APC Smart-UPS 750 (SMT750I) but the TS3 won't shutdown on power failure.
I've tried both the USB and serial cables with the UPS but to no avail. The TS3 does recognise a UPS is connected with the different cables but no combination of options work.
The TS3 has the latest firmware: 1.5
Current settings are as below:
Synchronization with UPS: synchronize with UPS connected to this TeraStation
UPS Connection Type: UPS Serial Port (APC Style / Smart Signal)
Shutdown Condition when Power Failure: Shutdown TeraStation after 1 Minutes of Power Failure
UPS behavior after TeraStation shutdown: Turn Off
UPS Recovery function: Disabled
The UPS does work. I tested it with a PC using the USB cable and it shut down fine after a short delay. Surprisingly the TS3, which was connected via the serial cable, also shutdown but it won't do it on it's own. Some messages are obviously getting through!
This is a standalone system so I don't want a PC permanently connected.
Rgs,
TC
Bump.
Any idea guys?
The reason it doesn't work is that APC have introduced a new protocol called Microlink for their SURTD, SMX, and SMT families of Smart-UPS.
Checkout http://nam-en.apc.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8591/~/microlink-frequently-asked-questions
APC have not released the Microlink message spec to third parties hence only computers running APC Powerchute Business Edition version 8.5 or later can support the new protocol.
In order to integrate with 3rd party devices/applications you need to use the AP9620 Legacy Communications Card which provides a full UPS Link interface via a standard DB9 Serial Port. This card slots into the back of the UPS and is relatively inexpensive.
The card is not compatible with all devices (or all APC UPS's) so you'll need to check the compatibility charts.
http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/PMAR-844LSJ_R1_EN.pdf
It has worked with my SMT750I with the 9pin serial connection supplied with the card. The USB output doesn't work.
My settings are:
UPS Serial Port (APC Style / Smart Signal)
Shutdown TeraStation after 1 Minutes of Power Failure
It would have been nice for APC to let me know about the AP9620 when I raised an incident report with them. I found out by accident last week.
TimC
Sorry to (sort of) resurrect this thread, but I'd just like to follow on from TimC's post.
Tim - you say that the USB output doesn't work with the Legacy Communications Card (LCC) installed on the UPS - is that the USB port on the LCC or the original USB port on the UPS? I assume you mean the former.
The reason I ask is that I am planning on having a connection from a UPS to both a computer (by USB) and to a Terastation III (by RS232). At present, my budget stretches to an SMT750I + LCC which sounds like it will trigger shutdown on a Terastation, or two SC420Is - one for the computer and one for the Terastation - which is not conclusively confirmed to be compatible with the Terastation.
None of the SUA series of APC UPSes seem to be available any more, which is slightly worrying as these are the only ones that Buffalo seem to have confirmed as being compatible.
Suggestions, answers, comments?
Hi lostmotel,
I've just run a couple of tests for you and can confirm that neither USB outputs from the APC trigger a shutdown when the LCC is installed.
It only works with the serial connection from the LCC to the TS3.
However,
Tests I did previously show that connecting the APC to a computer running powerchute and then connecting the computer to the TS3 works fine without the LCC.
Not sure why but, in my case this wasn't suitable as I wanted the TS3 to be standalone on the network for multiple PCs to use. Also a controlled TS3 shutdown relies on the PC being awake.
Hope that clarifies things for you. Post a reply if you need any further help.
I might be a bit slow responding but I'll see wha I can do.
TC
Hi Tim
Thank you ever so much for doing that test for me, I'm very grateful. I'm probably going to get either a SC420 or the SC450 rackmount, and see if it works with the Terastation. If not, I have two switches and a firewall that can run off it. I'll then get your configuration for the Terastation.
I don't know if you've ever tried it, or another passing reader can comment, but has anyone had any success with shutting down two Terastations, using the UPS network syncronization option?
Joe
No problem Joe,
I've only got 1 TS3 but it does have the option to trigger shutdown from another TS3 by entering an IP address.
I don't see why it wouldn't work as long as the network was alive (i.e. the routers/hubs on ups).
Tim