FT//ex UPS & APC PowerChute PLUS
Software
1. Install the UPS on the UNIX system:
a. Plug the computer (and monitor if not powered by the computer) into
the UPS.
b. Plug the UPS into a wall outlet.
2. Boot the UNIX system. Log in as the root user:
a. Turn on the UPS.
b. Boot-up the computer and UNIX system.
c. Log into the UNIX system as the super-user: root.
3. If upgrading, remove older versions of PowerChute PLUS:
If this is your first time installing PowerChute PLUS onto your
system, proceed to the next step. However, if you are upgrading PowerChute PLUS,
you must first remove the existing installation of PowerChute PLUS. Refer to your
PowerChute PLUS for UNIX handbook for instructions.
4. Determine the type of UPS installed:
The UPS supplied by Apricot is the Smart-UPS 900 this is an Advanced
Signalling model.
5. Select and configure the serial port to which the UPS
will be connected:
a. Use the on-board serial port /dev/tty1a to communicate with the UPS.
b. Check to make sure that the device is present on your system.
c. Configure the port so that it is disabled for logins (including the
modem device /dev/tty1A):
disable /dev/tty1a
disable /dev/tty1A
6. Select the appropriate cable and install:
The cables enclosed are custom UPS cables which have been designed to
optimise the signals of the UPS. Use of the appropriate cable for your UPS is required for
proper operation. The UPS cable is designed to connect directly to the UPS; no adapters
should be used in between the cable and the connector on the UPS.
a. Use the Black cable (940-0024B)
b. Connect the signalling cable between the UPS interface connector on
the rear of the UPS and the serial port on the back of your computer.
7. Determine the PowerChute PLUS "Core"
parameters:
The following "core" parameters must be specified during the
installation:
Msgdelay: The Message Delay Time is the time, in
seconds, from initial power failure to when the first message is sent to the users. A
small value gives users more advanced warning of impending shutdown. The default
is 5 seconds.
Msgtime: The Message Interval Time is the time
interval, in seconds between warning messages during power failure. Increasing this number
gives users less frequent logoff reminders, whereas decreasing it gives users more
frequent logoff reminders. The default value is 30 seconds.
Downtime: The Downtime is the time, in seconds, from
initial power failure until the shutdown routine is initiated. If a low battery condition
is encountered before the Downtime expires, shutdown is immediate. The default is
300 seconds (or 5 minutes). Enter a zero (0) to disable the Downtime parameter.
If Downtime is disabled, PowerChute will only shutdown upon receiving a low battery
signal.
8. Load, configure and start the PowerChute PLUS
software:
c. Select the PowerChute PLUS disk labelled "SCO
UNIX/XENIX" for your installation and insert the disk into the installation
drive.
d. PowerChute PLUS is designed to be installed through the SCO
custom utility:
custom
- select install
- then select A new product
- then select Entire Product
You will be asked to insert ‘APC PowerChute Volume 1’. Since
the required disk is already in the drive, press <Enter>
e. The custom routine copies the PowerChute PLUS files to your
hard drive and then brings up the PowerChute PLUS Configuration Menu.
Note: Before the Configuration menu appears you will be asked to
specify if you have a colour or monochrome screen. On SCO ODT, specify that you have a
monochrome screen even if you are using a colour display.
Fill in the appropriate values for the PowerChute PLUS
parameters. When you are satisfied with the parameter values, press F5 to save your
parameters to the PowerChute PLUS initialisation file. You will receive the
following message:
PowerChute PLUS parameters have been successfully
updated.
Reboot your system to activate PowerChute PLUS.
Press return to continue
Press <Enter> and you will be returned to the main custom screen. APC PowerChute Software
will be listed as one of the products currently installed. At this point you can exit custom.
f. Remove the PowerChute PLUS diskette from the floppy drive.
g. To start the PowerChute PLUS UPS daemon, shut the system
down and reboot:
shutdown
Once the system is down, reboot the system. Each time your system boots,
PowerChute PLUS will load automatically.
9. Client Module
The Client Module is a graphical user interface which:
· Allows users to view a real time power statistics, showing utility
line variations and graphically represents:
- current Utility voltage (in Volts)
- current UPS load (as % of Max. Load)
- current Battery Capacity (as % of Max. Capacity)
· Allows the root user to configure the Server Module on the fly, (i.e. the UPS daemon does not
have to be restarted for changes to take effect)
· Allows the root user to perform remote interactive UPS tests
a. To start the Client Module, use the following command from the
PowerChute PLUS directory:
cd /usr/lib/powerchute
./powerchute
If using a monochrome monitor use the "-m" switch. This allows the user
interface screen to be displayed on monochrome monitors. This switch may also be required
if you encounter difficulties displaying the PowerChute interface in colour mode and while
running under some Motif environments:
cd /usr/lib/powerchute
./powerchute -m
b. The function keys listed on the bottom of the Client Module Display
provide the following functions:
<Esc>
Exits the present menu and brings you to the previous menu
<H>elp
Brings up information on the highlighted menu item
<M>enu
Brings up the Client Module Main Menu
<Q>uit
Exits the user from the Client Module Display
<^L>
Refreshes the Client Module Display
10. Additional Notes
a. The Smart-UPS 900 is an "in-line" type UPS
b. The PowerChute PLUS daemon writes to a log file:
/usr/lib/powerchute/powerchute.log
And optionally a data file:
/usr/lib/powerchute/powerchute.dat
Although a maximum size is specified for these files during the
installation, the size (and contents of the log file) should be monitor as part of your
regular system maintenance procedure.
c. The UPS support within the Apricot Server Environment package for
FT//e and FT//s systems is NOT compatible with the Smart-UPS 900.
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