Re: UPS and IBM i

The interface to the system is a simple one. It only has a few on/off indicators.

0 indicates that a UPS is attached.
1 Indicates the system is on UPS power rather than utility.
2 Indicates the batteries are low and unexpected power outage is now imminent.

That's it. So even though the newer Power Systems have a USB attachment it's simply converting that three pin UPS signal through the firmware to the partitions as those three values.

SO the UPS needs to have a serial style output that provides those signals. APC for example has a card you must add to some of their units that provides that signal. And a special cable is needed to make the connection. (One is Part Number 940006, I liked that number :-) ) See lots more on APC UPS to Power Systems here: (Warning they show a green screen!)

https://download.schneider-electric.com/files?p_Doc_Ref=SPD_SMAN-946MPK_EN

The PowerWare units that IBM sells through econfig come with that port.

Many other vendors especially with smaller units don't include that connection.

- L

On 1/28/2022 12:19 PM, tgarvey@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:

Hi,


Working with a client with an old 810 and a UPS. But in the UPS User Guide I
can't seem to find any indication that it can communicate with the IBM i
that a power outage has occurred.
Our own UPS has a serial port cable connected to our server so that the
QUPSMSGQ is alerted when a power outage occurs (upon which an orderly shut
down is engaged). The User Guide for the client's UPS says the serial port
(or an alternative USB port) is for managing the UPS.


I would think a UPS that is used to support servers would have such a
communication ability to the server. Is it possible this UPS is incapable of
this?


Kind Regards,


Thomas Garvey