Netgate Discussion Forum
    • Categories
    • Recent
    • Tags
    • Popular
    • Users
    • Search
    • Register
    • Login

    NUT server and UPS general question

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General pfSense Questions
    71 Posts 6 Posters 13.8k Views
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • N
      netboy @dennypage
      last edited by

      @dennypage said in NUT server and UPS general question:

      @rcoleman-netgate

      @rcoleman-netgate clearly told that I can use "multiple" UPS attached to a USB hub and the USB hub attached to netgate 2100 - Are you contradicting @rcoleman-netgate ?

      R 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • R
        rcoleman-netgate Netgate @netboy
        last edited by rcoleman-netgate

        @netboy Uhm, here's what I clearly said:

        @rcoleman-netgate said in NUT server and UPS general question:

        Again it might not let you do more than one. YMMV.

        I also said you could connect multiple USB devices, I did not say you could connect multiple UPSes.

        Ryan
        Repeat, after me: MESH IS THE DEVIL! MESH IS THE DEVIL!
        Requesting firmware for your Netgate device? https://go.netgate.com
        Switching: Mikrotik, Netgear, Extreme
        Wireless: Aruba, Ubiquiti

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • stephenw10S
          stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
          last edited by

          Be aware that in this matter @dennypage, as the package author, is the ultimate authority. 😉

          N 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 3
          • N
            netboy @stephenw10
            last edited by netboy

            @stephenw10 @stephenw10 OK got it.... I ordered USB hub probably will use for something else.
            @dennypage thanks for your input. Sorry I questioned the package author - pardon me.

            Maybe I will dedicate a raspberry PI as a NUT server since it has 4 USB's

            J 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • J
              JimBob Indiana @netboy
              last edited by

              @netboy Not sure as I've never tried it but does the APC UPS monitor plug in let you monitor multiple devices? Of course if yours aren't APC's doesn't help.

              N 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • N
                netboy @JimBob Indiana
                last edited by netboy

                @jimbob-indiana
                Yes!

                I have a APC UPS and hence I installed package "apcupsd" (did not install NUT because as the package owner here the USB can monitor ONLY one UPS).

                BTW I connected the USB to netgate 2100 from the UPS.

                Configure the apcupsd (self explanatory) and once done you can install the dashboard using the + sign on the splash page and add apcupsd widget.

                Here is a screenshot:

                72e9d3d1-7e65-46aa-b795-78b320d0780e-image.png

                hth

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • occamsrazorO
                  occamsrazor
                  last edited by

                  Yes if you have an APC brand UPS and it works with apcupsd then I feel that is the better way to go. The implementation in pfSense is better, more is configurable through the GUI and the widget has more detail. NUT is however more widespread it seems and so if you are needing to integrate with other devices etc then sometimes NUT may be preferable.

                  pfSense CE on Qotom Q355G4 8GB RAM/60GB SSD
                  Ubiquiti Unifi wired and wireless network, APC UPSs
                  Mac OSX and IOS devices, QNAP NAS

                  N 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • N
                    netboy @occamsrazor
                    last edited by netboy

                    @occamsrazor Initially I thought a USB Hub can be connected to netgate 2100 and then attach 3 UPS's to them. I have since been "corrected" by the package author.
                    Hence, my next solution is to use the APC (covers modem, router and my servers) to netgate USB as standalone.
                    Additionally, configure NUT in raspberry pi and use it's USB to connect to other UPS's. That is the idea and I am working on it....

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • J
                      JimBob Indiana
                      last edited by

                      Thanks but I'm already using APCUSPD. If you can monitor more than one UPS that's the question.

                      occamsrazorO 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • occamsrazorO
                        occamsrazor @JimBob Indiana
                        last edited by

                        @jimbob-indiana said in NUT server and UPS general question:

                        Thanks but I'm already using APCUSPD. If you can monitor more than one UPS that's the question.

                        I don't think you can. I asked a similar question here:
                        https://forum.netgate.com/topic/175536/multiple-ups-with-apcupsd-and-or-nut?_=1667928318795

                        pfSense CE on Qotom Q355G4 8GB RAM/60GB SSD
                        Ubiquiti Unifi wired and wireless network, APC UPSs
                        Mac OSX and IOS devices, QNAP NAS

                        N 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • N
                          netboy @occamsrazor
                          last edited by

                          @occamsrazor
                          I have a question to everyone....

                          I have 1 UPS in a different location but would like to connect the same to my future NUT server on raspberry PI. I do have a extra ethernet jack in the same location. Was wondering can I use "USB over ethernet adapter" to connect the UPS USB to adapter and then connect to the wall ethernet jack. Same at the receiving end ....connect an adapter to the ethernet and connect the USB end to the PI - Has anybody done something like this?

                          J 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • J
                            JimBob Indiana @netboy
                            last edited by

                            @netboy usb to ethernet adapter.

                            Drivers are the issue.

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • stephenw10S
                              stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                              last edited by stephenw10

                              That's just a USB NIC it won't help you there.

                              You'd need an actual USB over Ethernet device. If you have separate cable between those locations you might be able to use something passive that doesn't need drivers (USB over Cat5 extender).

                              Steve

                              N 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                              • N
                                netboy @stephenw10
                                last edited by

                                @stephenw10 Got it! How about this?

                                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                • stephenw10S
                                  stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                  last edited by

                                  Yup, like that. Note that only works over a dedicated cable. It's not using Ethernet, can't pass a switch etc.

                                  N 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                  • N
                                    netboy @stephenw10
                                    last edited by netboy

                                    @stephenw10 said in NUT server and UPS general question:

                                    Note that only works over a dedicated cable. It's not using Ethernet, can't pass a switch etc.

                                    Not sure I follow you? Can you kindly elaborate?

                                    I do have a dedicated cable (ethernet) near my UPS to a switch in the PI location

                                    stephenw10S 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                    • stephenw10S
                                      stephenw10 Netgate Administrator @netboy
                                      last edited by

                                      @netboy said in NUT server and UPS general question:

                                      I do have a dedicated cable (ethernet) near my UPS to a switch in the PI location

                                      That's fine then.

                                      If you had an Ethernet jack there connected to a central switch and the RasPi was at a different location also connected to that switch it would not work since that only uses the Cat5 cable to pass USB signals no Ethernet. An Ethernet switch has no idea what to do with USB signals.

                                      Steve

                                      N 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                      • N
                                        netboy @stephenw10
                                        last edited by

                                        @stephenw10
                                        Just to be clear this is my setup:

                                        • Connect one adapter to the USB of UPS and connect the ethernet to the existing ethernet wall jack near the UPS

                                        • In the switch at my server rack connect from switch to my adapter using patch cable and then connect the USB to my raspberry PI.

                                        Can I give it a try? What is your opinion? I am not asking you to vouch for it? If it fails that is ok

                                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                        • stephenw10S
                                          stephenw10 Netgate Administrator
                                          last edited by

                                          No that won't work. It can't go through the switch.

                                          You have to connect directly to incoming cable that's connected to that wall jack.

                                          N 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                                          • occamsrazorO
                                            occamsrazor
                                            last edited by

                                            I forget which model APC UPS you have (did you say?). If it is a Smart-UPS with a slot, and remote monitoring is important to you, then you'd be better off getting an APC network management card, they can be found secondhand for not too much.

                                            pfSense CE on Qotom Q355G4 8GB RAM/60GB SSD
                                            Ubiquiti Unifi wired and wireless network, APC UPSs
                                            Mac OSX and IOS devices, QNAP NAS

                                            N 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                                            • First post
                                              Last post
                                            Copyright 2025 Rubicon Communications LLC (Netgate). All rights reserved.