Shut down 4 servers using one UPS on power fail

[edie209]

I have just installed 4 new ibm 1u rack servers that will be powered from one APC Smart UPS 1500.

 

I can only attatch one server to the UPS by either serial or usb, so how do I get the other servers to shut down in the event of a power failure? just to add a complication 1 is running Red Hat Linux the other 3 are running Server 2003.

 

There is probably a simple answer but for the life of me I can't find a referance to this senario

[Ric_]

A ShareUPS - I have a spare one if you want to make me an offer (not quite enough cables mind)

 

http://apc.com/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=AP9207 - they are rather pricey usually.

[edie209]

Ric I didn't even think about a hardware solution.....doh. I have no money left in my budget and there is noone here in the school now till late august early sept. I am interested depending on price. But for the moment is there a software solution?

[tom_newton]

Yes - apcupsd on the server that the ups is plugged into.

 

There is another, newer ups daemon. I'll find some links in a tic.

[tom_newton]

http://www.apcupsd.com/ APC centric, and its the one we use in Smoothie.

http://www.networkupstools.org/ NUT - more UPS compatible, there's often a flare on tech@ of someone proposing we move to this one ;-P

 

1. install daemon on server that has ups usb/serial plugged into it

2. install on other servers, and point them at central location

3. make sure server with ups cable is set to last a few mins longer than the others before shutdown

 

Jobs a good un.

[edie209]

Thanks tom looks just like what I need

[maniac]

One tip from me.

 

Make sure the switch that connects all your servers together is also powered from the UPS, else in the event of a proper power failure, they won't receive the shutdown signal from the server connected to the UPS. Simple point, but one that I've seen overlooked many many times!

 

Cheers,

 

Mike.

[edie209]

Thanks maniac thats a good point and I've noted it.

[mrforgetful]

Oooo think that may be overlooked here! Best go check...

[Butuz]

Ric how much do you want for your shareups? its just what we need

 

Butuz

[drjturner]

Why don't you use a batch file that uses the shutdown command for each server. Therefore not having to install the memory eating program that apc supply on all servers and just one.

 

SHUTDOWN /s /m \\servername /t 120 /d U:6:12 /c "There has been a power failure server now shutting down"

 

Dan Turner

[Joedetic]

Mixed O/S environment.

 

That batch file wouldnt run on a linux machine and wouldnt shut down the linux machine. You'd need to run something involving an SSH login for the linux server.

 

Yes it could be done...but why when you could just run apcupsd, which is a daemon NOT produced by APC themselves and doesnt require tonnes of system memory afaik.

[drjturner]

This can be done by using

 

"C:\Program Files\PuTTY\plink.exe" sessionname /sbin/shutdown -h now

 

keep it simple.

 

Dan

[Ric_]

Ric how much do you want for your shareups? its just what we need

 

Offers on a postcard Bear in mind that I would need to post it (guessing about £5-£10 for that it isn't too heavy but is a 1u rack component so is relatively bulky).

 

I also have a brand new APC SmartUPS Interface Expander (2 serial ports). This is boxed and everything! I'm open to offers on this too.

 

If anybody wants these and will be at the meeting mentioned at http://edugeek.net/index.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=10264 then obviously postage is a mute point

 

At any rate PM me