You might not realize, but all APC ‘Smart’ series UPSes can be centrally managed via a simple IP connection with the addition of an APC 9606 card!
SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) is designed to make the lives of us IT Admins a whole lot easier, and nowhere is this evidenced more then in the APC 9606 SNMP management card application. Traditionally, in a power loss event, the best you could do was attach your server or PC to its UPS via an APC serial signaling cable, and configure APC’s Powerchute or XP’s UPS Service to shut down the machine when the battery is running low.
This worked well to prevent loss of data and equipment damage due to unexpected loss of power to the equipment, but was of no use whatsoever when the power comes back on. Many times I have made a special Sunday trip to the office to turn on all the machines and UPSes after a power loss event. Using SNMP management, an Admin can log into the network remotely, and manage all of the ‘Smart’ SNMP AP9606 enabled UPSes, and verify that the power has returned, and all the UPSes are functioning properly.
