UPS recommendation?

[Patrick M. Hausen]

Hi all,

is somebody successfully using a UPS that connects via the hid-usb driver? I just retired a unit that had reached the end of its lifetime, but never properly worked with FreeNAS, anyway. While the NUT project compatibility page [1] lists many models as perfectly supported with hid-usb, the reality on FreeBSD seems to be a bit different.

I contacted the NUT mailing list a year ago or so, and what I learned was

• the FreeBSD port version is outdated and uses a deprecated USB API
• they did not tag a proper release for years
• hence the port does not get updated - you are supposed to just checkout from their git repo and build yourself

which was the assumed cause of the communication problems FreeNAS had with my particular UPS (which is listed "green", complete support).

So, can anybody recommend a small (not rackmount) UPS in the 500VA to 1kVA range? I'd prefer Eaton Powerware for their assumed quality but it seems that all vendors are going USB today and I want to make sure communication works.

An affordable model with network and SNMP would be even better. Availability in Germany is the only serious constraint.

Thanks!
Patrick

[1] https://networkupstools.org/stable-hcl.html

 

[Spearfoot]

Hi all,

is somebody successfully using a UPS that connects via the hid-usb driver? I just retired a unit that had reached the end of its lifetime, but never properly worked with FreeNAS, anyway. While the NUT project compatibility page [1] lists many models as perfectly supported with hid-usb, the reality on FreeBSD seems to be a bit different.

I contacted the NUT mailing list a year ago or so, and what I learned was

• the FreeBSD port version is outdated and uses a deprecated USB API
• they did not tag a proper release for years
• hence the port does not get updated - you are supposed to just checkout from their git repo and build yourself

which was the assumed cause of the communication problems FreeNAS had with my particular UPS (which is listed "green", complete support).

So, can anybody recommend a small (not rackmount) UPS in the 500VA to 1kVA range? I'd prefer Eaton Powerware for their assumed quality but it seems that all vendors are going USB today and I want to make sure communication works.

An affordable model with network and SNMP would be even better. Availability in Germany is the only serious constraint.

Thanks!
Patrick

[1] https://networkupstools.org/stable-hcl.html

I use a CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD on one of my FreeNAS 11.2-U8 servers, using the "Cyber Power Systems ups" USB interface. These are available with capacities from 850-1500VA. If I recall correctly, CyberPower is a European company, so they should be available in Germany.

 

[Patrick M. Hausen]

Looks good - I ordered the 900VA European model. Thanks.

 

[Spearfoot]

Looks good - I ordered the 900VA European model. Thanks.

You're welcome! But... don't blame me if it doesn't work for you!

 

[Patrick M. Hausen]

I will try the communication before even rerouting power, so I can return it in new condition if necessary.

 

[Patrick M. Hausen]

@Spearfoot Could you please show me the content of your /usr/local/etc/nut/ups.conf?

Thanks!
Patrick

 

[Spearfoot]

@Spearfoot Could you please show me the content of your /usr/local/etc/nut/ups.conf?

Thanks!
Patrick

Gladly! But it will be tomorrow before that particular machine is back in service. I am running tests on newly added memory.

 

[seanm]

Looks good - I ordered the 900VA European model. Thanks.

Would love to hear a follow up of how/if it works... :)

 

[Patrick M. Hausen]

@seanm Not working, currently. That's why I asked for @Spearfoot's config. I'll keep everyone posted.

 

[Spearfoot]

@Spearfoot Could you please show me the content of your /usr/local/etc/nut/ups.conf?

Thanks!
Patrick

Here you go, @Patrick M. Hausen. My CyberPower UPS is attached to a SuperMicro SYS-5028D-TN4T running VMware ESXi 6.7, with the USB port passed to a FreeNAS VM running version 11.2-U8.

There's not much to see in ups.conf:

Code:

[ups]
    driver = usbhid-ups
    port = /dev/ugen0.4
    desc = ""

Here is the output of my UPS report script:

Code:

=== CPS UPS, model CP1500PFCLCD, serial number BCB5X2000696 ===
style='font-size:10.5pt'> 
style='font-size:10.5pt'>Name: ups
style='font-size:10.5pt'>Status: OL
style='font-size:10.5pt'>Output Load: 30%
style='font-size:10.5pt'>Real Power: 900W (nominal)
style='font-size:10.5pt'>Input Voltage: 121.0V
style='font-size:10.5pt'>Output Voltage: 137.0V
style='font-size:10.5pt'>Battery Runtime: 1350s
style='font-size:10.5pt'>Battery Charge: 100%
style='font-size:10.5pt'>Battery Voltage: 24.0V
style='font-size:10.5pt'> 
style='font-size:10.5pt'>=== ALL AVAILABLE UPS VARIABLES ===
style='font-size:10.5pt'>battery.charge: 100
style='font-size:10.5pt'>battery.charge.low: 10
style='font-size:10.5pt'>battery.charge.warning: 20
style='font-size:10.5pt'>battery.mfr.date: CPS
style='font-size:10.5pt'>battery.runtime: 1350
style='font-size:10.5pt'>battery.runtime.low: 300
style='font-size:10.5pt'>battery.type: PbAcid
style='font-size:10.5pt'>battery.voltage: 24.0
style='font-size:10.5pt'>battery.voltage.nominal: 24
style='font-size:10.5pt'>device.mfr: CPS
style='font-size:10.5pt'>device.model: CP1500PFCLCD
style='font-size:10.5pt'>device.serial: 000000000000
style='font-size:10.5pt'>device.type: ups
style='font-size:10.5pt'>driver.name: usbhid-ups
style='font-size:10.5pt'>driver.parameter.pollfreq: 30
style='font-size:10.5pt'>driver.parameter.pollinterval: 2
style='font-size:10.5pt'>driver.parameter.port: /dev/ugen0.4
style='font-size:10.5pt'>driver.parameter.synchronous: no
style='font-size:10.5pt'>driver.version: 2.7.4
style='font-size:10.5pt'>driver.version.data: CyberPower HID 0.4
style='font-size:10.5pt'>driver.version.internal: 0.41
style='font-size:10.5pt'>input.transfer.high: 139
style='font-size:10.5pt'>input.transfer.low: 88
style='font-size:10.5pt'>input.voltage: 121.0
style='font-size:10.5pt'>input.voltage.nominal: 120
style='font-size:10.5pt'>output.voltage: 137.0
style='font-size:10.5pt'>ups.beeper.status: enabled
style='font-size:10.5pt'>ups.delay.shutdown: 20
style='font-size:10.5pt'>ups.delay.start: 30
style='font-size:10.5pt'>ups.load: 30
style='font-size:10.5pt'>ups.mfr: CPS
style='font-size:10.5pt'>ups.model: CP1500PFCLCD
style='font-size:10.5pt'>ups.productid: 0501
style='font-size:10.5pt'>ups.realpower.nominal: 900
style='font-size:10.5pt'>ups.serial: 000000000000
style='font-size:10.5pt'>ups.status: OL
style='font-size:10.5pt'>ups.test.result: No test initiated
style='font-size:10.5pt'>ups.timer.shutdown: -60
style='font-size:10.5pt'>ups.timer.start: -60
style='font-size:10.5pt'>ups.vendorid: 0764
style='font-size:10.5pt'> 

Here is a screenshot of my settings:

 

[seanm]

• the FreeBSD port version is outdated and uses a deprecated USB API
• they did not tag a proper release for years
• hence the port does not get updated - you are supposed to just checkout from their git repo and build yourself

Looking through this:

FreshPorts -- sysutils/nut: Network UPS Tools

This is a developing project to monitor a large assortment of UPS hardware. Network communications are used so that multiple systems can monitor a single physical UPS and shut down together if necessary without any special "sharing hardware" on the UPS itself. CGI scripts are provided to monitor...

www.freshports.org

it seems the FreeBSD port is still using the old libusb 0.1 as opposed to 1.x.

Did you contact the port maintainer about updating to NUT git master?

 

[Patrick M. Hausen]

Ah, @Spearfoot I should have asked for your FreeNAS version, too ;) I just assumed you would be running 11.3.

For me the uhid driver does not work. This seems to be generally broken in 11.3 and TN12, probably due to the API changes.
Sorry, I don't have the time currently to chase this one all the way through with bug reports, I just want to buy a unit that works. Going to phone the supplier tomorrow and ask for the smallest model with a network interface and SNMP. Which is what i should have done all along, probably, being a network guy after all.

Code:

ugen0.5: <CPS CP900EPFCLCD> at usbus0
KLD wmt.ko: depends on evdev - not available or version mismatch
linker_load_file: /boot/kernel/wmt.ko - unsupported file type

Thanks for your help, anyway.
Patrick

 

[colmconn]

https://www.ixsystems.com/community...-wmt-ko-depends-on-evdev-not-available.85923/. If it’s disabling ups access shouldn’t that be considered a bug?

 

[Spearfoot]

Ah, @Spearfoot I should have asked for your FreeNAS version, too ;) I just assumed you would be running 11.3.

For me the uhid driver does not work. This seems to be generally broken in 11.3 and TN12, probably due to the API changes.
Sorry, I don't have the time currently to chase this one all the way through with bug reports, I just want to buy a unit that works. Going to phone the supplier tomorrow and ask for the smallest model with a network interface and SNMP. Which is what i should have done all along, probably, being a network guy after all.

Code:

ugen0.5: <CPS CP900EPFCLCD> at usbus0
KLD wmt.ko: depends on evdev - not available or version mismatch
linker_load_file: /boot/kernel/wmt.ko - unsupported file type

Thanks for your help, anyway.
Patrick

Well... I did mention my FreeNAS version:

I use a CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD on one of my FreeNAS 11.2-U8 servers, using the "Cyber Power Systems ups" USB interface.

I'm sorry you're having problems with the CyberPower unit, and I hope you were able to return it for a full refund.

EDIT: I assume you tried other drivers besides the generic one?

 

[Patrick M. Hausen]

Yes, it's the same problem I had with a retired Powercom unit - the usbhid driver seems just not to work with a current FreeBSD and the rather old NUT.

 

[Patrick M. Hausen]

I'm sorry you're having problems with the CyberPower unit, and I hope you were able to return it for a full refund.

And why shouldn't I? It's the law in Europe. You can return anything bought online without giving a reason within 2 weeks for a full refund.
Excluding of course things that are individually made to your specifications or measure, food, electronic goods (think licenses). But any physical product as long as it is in new condition - send back, period.

That's why I have not put anything on UPS power yet and did not remove the protective film - just tried communications so it can still be sold as new.

Kind regards,
Patrick

 

[Heracles]

Hi,

Here, I have always used UPS from APC. It is working perfectly with my FreeNAS 11.2 and my pfSense firewall.

Also, I go only with the 1500 VA ones. There are many different technologies for making a UPS and 1500 VA are the most powerful ones that are built with the cheapest design. That way, I have maximum autonomy for minimum price.

 

[adrianwi]

Pretty sure I have a CyberPower CP1300EPFCLCD-UK working with my main FreeNAS system which is running 11.3-U4.1, although now you have me worried!

 

[Jurgen Segaert]

I also have the CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD (110V model) and run FreeNAS-11.3-U4.1 and it's working fine. I'm using the Cyber Power Systems ups 2 CP1000PFCLCD USB (usbhid-ups) driver in FreeNAS. Other than that, my settings look identical to Spearfoot's.

Code:

% upsc -l
ups_CP1500PFCLCD

% upsc ups_CP1500PFCLCD
battery.charge: 100
battery.charge.low: 10
battery.charge.warning: 20
battery.mfr.date: CPS
battery.runtime: 4410
battery.runtime.low: 300
battery.type: PbAcid
battery.voltage: 24.0
battery.voltage.nominal: 24
device.mfr: CPS
device.model: CP1500PFCLCD
device.serial: 000000000000
device.type: ups
driver.name: usbhid-ups
driver.parameter.pollfreq: 30
driver.parameter.pollinterval: 2
driver.parameter.port: /dev/ugen0.5
driver.parameter.synchronous: no
driver.version: 2.7.4
driver.version.data: CyberPower HID 0.4
driver.version.internal: 0.41
input.transfer.high: 139
input.transfer.low: 88
input.voltage: 117.0
input.voltage.nominal: 120
output.voltage: 141.0
ups.beeper.status: enabled
ups.delay.shutdown: 20
ups.delay.start: 30
ups.load: 10
ups.mfr: CPS
ups.model: CP1500PFCLCD
ups.productid: 0501
ups.realpower.nominal: 900
ups.serial: 000000000000
ups.status: OL
ups.test.result: No test initiated
ups.timer.shutdown: -60
ups.timer.start: -60
ups.vendorid: 0764
% 

 

[Patrick M. Hausen]

I ordered the Cyberpower PR750ELCD plus network management card RMCARD205. That will work and I can still try the USB connection ...