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    I've currently got my primary desktop PC and my HPEX475 (WHS) plugged into an small APC Powerchute XS1500, which provides automatic voltage regulation and battery backup (for about 15 minutes).  The APC has the ability to shut a single machine using the Powerchute Personal Software, in the event an extended power outage via a USB cable that's directly plugged into whichever machine you choose (in my case, the desktop).  Due to a recent power outage the exceeded my APCXS1500's ability to provide backup power for both devices, the Powerchute software properly shut down my desktop, but my WHS switched off when the battery backup ran out (fortunately, nothing was corrupted).

    Here's my question:  I would like to purchase a second APC unit just for my WHS - so I could have the option for shutting down the WHS, but I'm not sure how / if the APC Powerchute Personal Software would work on this machine.  I guess I could try to install the software by RDP-ing into the WHS, but since working outside of the console is not recommeded, I'm not sure if this would work - much less give me the abilty to configure / monitor the software from the WHS console.   Anyone have any experience with this?  Comments / suggestion are much appreciated.

    Friday, September 5, 2008 3:14 PM

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    Thanks Ken - main reason for the UPS is just to control voltage (the APC XS1500 has Automatic Voltage Regulation) and to do a safe shutdown, in case of an extended outage (which doesn't happen often).  Another forum pointed me to an Add-In called GridJunction, which works great, although still beta-ish.

    Thanks for your reply!
    • Marked as answer by hgpilotssss Tuesday, September 9, 2008 12:45 PM
    Tuesday, September 9, 2008 12:45 PM

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    Strictly speaking, you probably will never have any issues as a result of a power loss on your server. It uses the NTFS file system, which is much more robust. Basically, the only loss you would be likely to suffer is the loss of changes to a file if they were being written at the moment the power went out.

    That said, I use a UPS with my server. It's possible to install the powerchute software on your server; do a search in the forums for specifics. You will have to connect to your server via Remote Desktop to do this.

    But I would recommend just connecting it to the server and using the built-in UPS service if you have frequent long power outages. You would have to log in via Remote Desktop for that as well. If you rarely have long power outages, plug into the UPS but don't bother with the USB connection or configuring the server to work with the UPS. 
    I'm not on the WHS team, I just post a lot. :)
    Friday, September 5, 2008 3:41 PM
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    As Ken said, look into using Windows power management to perform the shutdown activities.  Make sure your WHS unit is plugged into the UPS via USB.

    I do have the Powerchute software installed on my WHS and it does (appear) to work.  The primary reason I have it installed is so I can see the voltage use and proposed time remaining at that voltage use if the power went out.  It's not a necessary reason, but kind of fun to have.

    There are (is?) some WHS plugins that integrate with the UPS and provide you the same information as you get from the windows power service.  You may want to look into those plugins, they allow you to do everything from the console.
    Friday, September 5, 2008 3:51 PM
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    As Lliam mentions, there are WHS Add-ons for power management.  I'm using GridJunction with my APC UPS.  There's no additional drivers or software needed other than the add-on - just plug the UPS into a USB port on the server.
    Friday, September 5, 2008 4:57 PM
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    Thanks Ken - main reason for the UPS is just to control voltage (the APC XS1500 has Automatic Voltage Regulation) and to do a safe shutdown, in case of an extended outage (which doesn't happen often).  Another forum pointed me to an Add-In called GridJunction, which works great, although still beta-ish.

    Thanks for your reply!
    • Marked as answer by hgpilotssss Tuesday, September 9, 2008 12:45 PM
    Tuesday, September 9, 2008 12:45 PM
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    FYI: I am looking into writing a proper APC UPS add-on for WHS that will be managed and monitored from the console.
    Tuesday, September 9, 2008 4:55 PM
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    I had the same problem with WHS suffering an unplanned shutdown when my APC XS1500 ran down during a power outage.  I approached APC and their approach was to send me (for free) a data cable that was serial connection on to the server and to have me download and use Powerchute business version basic which is also free from APC.  It doesn't display all of the things that the personal edition does, but it is configurable and works well with WHS since WHS is server 2003 based.  The notification feature works well also.  I get an email at my work address every day around 12:30 pm stating that the agent sensed a power failure and then i get another letting me know that power has been restored.  Needless to say, I am really not happy with my power company.
    Saturday, September 20, 2008 9:47 PM
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    As my search brought me here I have Powerchute Personal edition installed for my Backup UPS XS1200 (canada) known as RS1200 in USA works fine monitors and alows configuration of alarms etc...

    It shutdown my WHS PP3 server several nights ago and powered it backup after failure while I was out of house.  Seems to be fine after a few days (only knew because powerchute logged the event and logged in RDP to check something out).  Make sure you stay logged into RDP by disconnecting and not logging off so Powerchute is running.

    I installed version for XP.

    Will look into Grid Junction for safe shutdown see what it offers.

    Friday, June 4, 2010 12:11 AM
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    qaFYI: I am looking into writing a proper APC UPS add-on for WHS that will be managed and monitored from the console.

    Thursday, September 27, 2012 2:25 AM