Liebert UPS Monitor Support FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

This page contains answers to common questions handled by our support staff, along with some tips and tricks that we have found useful and presented here as questions.

General

What does the software do ?

Installation

What are the minimum requirements for installing the software ?
Why doesn't my installation include the Windows NT shutdown module ?
How can I monitor multiple modules with and without an MSS ?
What is the maximum permissible distance between the UPS/MSS and the Server PC ?
Is it possible to extend cable length beyond the 15m (RS232) limit ?
Is there a 9-pin RS232/RS485 line driver available ?

Data Collector Properties (Server PC)

Why is the serial port on my PC marked unavailable or is not even listed ?

Remote Connection Properties (Client PC)

How many Server connections can I define ?

Events Manager

Why does Internet E-Mail prompt for a password when an alarm occurs ?
What is the 'Shell (Execute) Application' module ?
What is the 'Windows Messaging' module ?
What is the difference between 'local' and 'remote' shutdown ?
Why aren't the phone numbers I'm entering being saved ?

Networking

How many Client PC's can similtaneously connect to the Server PC ?

What does the software do ?

The software will monitor your UPS and can provide you with a remote display of the status and information from the UPS system and all events happening on the UPS. The software can also take action in response to these events.

There are two main parts to the software package. The Server software is installed on the Server PC, which is connected to the UPS equipment using RS232 serial communication port (X8) on the operator logic board. The optional Client software is installed on a remote PC. Communication between the Server and the Client will use either a Dial-Up Networking (DUN) connection, or a local area network (LAN) connection.

What are the minimum requirements for installing the software ?

The minimum supported requirements for installing the software are as follows:

Operating System	Minimum Requirements
Windows 95	OSR2, DUN 1.3 Upgrade *
Windows 98	None
Windows NT 4.0	Service Pack 4 **

Note that Windows NT 3.51 and Windows 95 versions prior to OSR2 are not supported.

* The DUN 1.3 upgrade is included on the CD for your convenience. However, license restrictions prevent it from being part of the software setup. You must run this separately.

** Service Pack 5 is required for Y2K compliance.

Why doesn't my installation include the Windows NT shutdown module ?

With earlier releases of the software, the Windows NT shutdown was not installed by default. To install the module:

Run 'Add/Remove Programs' from the Windows control panel.
Select 'Liebert UPS Monitor' from the list of installed software click 'Add/Remove...'
Select the option to add/remove components.
Follow the instructions to install the Windows NT Shutdown module.

How can I monitor multiple modules with and without an MSS ?

There are two ways to monitor multiple modules:

Using a separate connection between the RS232 port (X8) on the operator logic board at each UPS/MSS to separate, i.e. dedicated serial COM ports at the Server PC.
Using a single connection from the RS232 port (X8) of one module to a single serial COM port at the Server PC; the other modules being connected using a RS485 serial link between the connectors (X4) on the UPS/MSS operator logic board.

When utilising a single RS232 connection to a multimodule UPS system, the connection must be made at the MSS. The MSS must be set up via its display panel as the MASTER module with NODE ID = 1; the next module, and all subsequent modules linked via the RS485 serial link, must be set up as SLAVE module with a NODE ID starting from 2 and so on.

What is the maximum permissible distance between the UPS/MSS and the Server PC ?

This will depend on the cable route and the cable length. As the standard connection at the UPS/MSS is RS232, the maximum permissible cable length (observing good signal cable practices) is 15 meters (Approximately 50 feet).

Is it possible to extend cable length beyond the 15m (RS232) limit ?

Yes. By converting from RS232 to RS485 the maximum permissible length increases to 5 kilometers (approximately 3 miles); this is now limited by the data transmission rate. The conversion can be achieved using a pair of RS232/RS485 line drivers: one being connected at the UPS/MSS and the other at the Server PC.

Is there a 9-pin RS232/RS485 line driver available ?

To connect to a 9-pin serial port it is necessary to use a 25 to 9 pin serial cable adaptor. This is available from Liebert as part number 4598006K.

Why is the serial port on my PC marked unavailable or is not even listed ?

The serial port may be marked unavailable if it is in use by another application. Check for other applications that may be using the serial port and close them.

If the serial port is not listed, check the system configuration (in Control Panel) to see if the port has been configured. If it hasn't run 'Add New Hardware' in Control Panel to configure it.

How many Server connections can I define ?

Theoretically, you may define up to 9 999 Server connections.

Why does Internet E-Mail prompt for a password when an alarm occurs ?

Windows Dial Up Networking (DUN) must be configured to automatically process the login. Check the following articles from the Microsoft knowledgebase for more information.

Q148925 - Dial-Up Networking Password Is Not Saved
Q141858 - No Windows or Network Logon Dialog Box at Startup
Q137361 - Save Password Check Box Is Unavailable

What is the 'Shell (Execute) Application' module ?

This module may be used to run an application or DOS batch file of the users choice on receipt of a given event.

A timeout period of up to 10 minutes (600 seconds) may be set to ensure the application accomplishes normal completion. If this period expires and the application is still running, it will be terminated. This ensures that other tasks required to be run by the Events Manager are not unduly delayed.

What is the 'Windows Messaging' module ?

Windows Messaging refers to the Microsoft Mail subsystem component (MAPI) for Microsoft Exchange and Windows Messaging. Microsoft Exchange is a separate product, Windows Messaging is bundled with the Windows operating system. This event module may be used with either, if they are configured for use with Microsoft Mail.

Exchange and Windows Messaging are such open products, they can be configured in a multitude of different configurations. For a small LAN using Windows Messaging for peer to peer e-mail that has a default installation from the Windows CD, the Events Manager component will work without any problems (the only exception to this is when the user doesn't install it properly and doesn't create a profile. In this instance, a warning message is displayed by the Events Manager module when the user attempts to add recipients).

For MS Exchange installations using Exchange Server, please see your Network Manager or Mail Administrator.

What is the difference between 'local' and 'remote' shutdown ?

Windows 95 shutdown can be used to shutdown the PC running the UPS Monitor software if it is running Windows 95. For remote shutdown, the Remote Windows NT Server shutdown module should be used. Note that remote shutdown can only be achieved for machines running Windows NT, not 95 or 98.

Why aren't the phone numbers I'm entering being saved ?

There is a limit of 400 characters for the combined length of all the phone numbers entered. To calculate the number of characters used, add up the total number of characters in each phone number, then add two more characters for each phone number.

How many Client PC's can similtaneously connect to the Server PC ?

Theoretically you can have up to 32 767 similtaneous connections. However, the resources of the Server PC would be exhausted before this limit was reached.