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    Potential bug found with apcupsd package (version 0.3.91_8) and configuring it in the webconfigurator (on pfSense Version 2.4.5-RELEASE-p1 on AMD64)

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    • D
      digitaljessica
      last edited by digitaljessica

      Hey folks,

      I've come across an issue trying to configure apcupsd using the web configurator. It needs me to specify the UPS Cable as USB but it won't let me leave the UPS Type blank as specified in the documentation for USB UPSes.

      I am not sure where I should edit the configuration file, I can find where apcupsd.conf is, but the change isn't then put into the web configurator so would be lost if the webconfigurator makes changes.

      Any ideas?

      Edit: I worked around it by editing usr/local/etc/apcupsd/apcupsd.conf using the tool under Diagnostics / Edit File and changed it to blank for now.

      Kind regards,
      Jessica.

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      • D
        digitaljessica
        last edited by

        Well, the work around I came up with is fine, but it isn't persistent across reboots or if the power goes out. Then you have to remember to "re set" it.

        Other than filing it here I'm not sure where I should file this bug or what to to do to mitigate it. Since there's not been a reply since November I guess it's not a priority for anyone to push me in the right direction.

        If I haven't filed it in the right place, please let me know and/or move it to the right place. Although I do understand that people will be hesitant to report bugs if they don't get a reply (or an acknowledgement). I get it, it's "free" software so I'm not expecting enterprise grade support here, but the way I can contribute to software is by making bug reports and telling authors know about problems I've found since I can't contribute financially.

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        • S
          SteveITS Galactic Empire @digitaljessica
          last edited by

          I didn't see your original. I think I ran into this also last year. I put "usb" in the USB Type field and it seems fine. I vaguely recall I found that after searching.

          As far as reporting, I don't know if the correct answer is to update the HTML to say "usb" instead of "BLANK," or to make the field not required.

          If you're programmatically inclined the code is at:
          https://github.com/pfsense/FreeBSD-ports/commits/devel/sysutils/pfSense-pkg-apcupsd
          Otherwise bugs are at https://redmine.pfsense.org/projects/pfsense-packages

          Pre-2.7.2/23.09: Only install packages for your version, or risk breaking it. Select your branch in System/Update/Update Settings.
          When upgrading, allow 10-15 minutes to restart, or more depending on packages and device speed.
          Upvote 👍 helpful posts!

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          • viktor_gV
            viktor_g Netgate
            last edited by viktor_g

            I didn't see your original. I think I ran into this also last year. I put "usb" in the USB Type field and it seems fine. I vaguely recall I found that after searching.

            -- working fine, there is no issue

            Redmine issue created:
            https://redmine.pfsense.org/issues/11375

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            • S
              SteveITS Galactic Empire @viktor_g
              last edited by

              @viktor_g Define fine?
              a0dcf178-6022-4a7d-942f-3f7a0b8b6957-image.png

              Pre-2.7.2/23.09: Only install packages for your version, or risk breaking it. Select your branch in System/Update/Update Settings.
              When upgrading, allow 10-15 minutes to restart, or more depending on packages and device speed.
              Upvote 👍 helpful posts!

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              • S
                SteveITS Galactic Empire @SteveITS
                last edited by

                Is it trying to say "enter 'usb' and we'll consider the field blank" as opposed to "leave the field blank for USB connections"?

                Pre-2.7.2/23.09: Only install packages for your version, or risk breaking it. Select your branch in System/Update/Update Settings.
                When upgrading, allow 10-15 minutes to restart, or more depending on packages and device speed.
                Upvote 👍 helpful posts!

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                • D
                  digitaljessica
                  last edited by digitaljessica

                  To get it to work with most of the apc ups 'Simple Signalling' USB cables you have to have UPS type blank, as in NULL, nothing written there. Of course there's validation that doesn't let you have a blank entry there.

                  I've tried filling it with 'usb' and 'BLANK' (the literal string) and they don't make it work. The only way I've gotten it to work thus-far is edit apcupsd.conf either from shell or from the advanced configuration menu, but this isn't preserved across reboots.

                  Cheers,
                  Jess

                  Edit: Also teamits screenshot is exactly the behaviour I get, and I am not sure how to get the web configurator to accept a null string.,

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                  • S
                    SteveITS Galactic Empire @digitaljessica
                    last edited by

                    @digitaljessica said in Potential bug found with apcupsd package (version 0.3.91_8) and configuring it in the webconfigurator (on pfSense Version 2.4.5-RELEASE-p1 on AMD64):

                    apc ups 'Simple Signalling' USB cables

                    Which model UPSs, do you know? The one I screen capped is a Smart UPS 750. We've set it up on a couple of BR-700s I think (or similar smaller BR models). All using the cable that came with the UPS.

                    Pre-2.7.2/23.09: Only install packages for your version, or risk breaking it. Select your branch in System/Update/Update Settings.
                    When upgrading, allow 10-15 minutes to restart, or more depending on packages and device speed.
                    Upvote 👍 helpful posts!

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                    • D
                      digitaljessica @SteveITS
                      last edited by

                      @teamits

                      I personally have Back-UPS ES 700G (UK) UPSes using the 10pin connector that's like a LAN connector but has more pins than an LAN cable. On most of them I'm using the cable that came with them, but since they're a dumb cable, on one of them I have a replacement for it (since it just connects the USB pins to the outer pins of the 10p connector) and the UPS actually has the "USB host" bit.

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                      • S
                        SteveITS Galactic Empire @digitaljessica
                        last edited by

                        IIRC those are older (?) so maybe that is a difference. It probably comes down to what the code does with "usb" as the type, vs blank as you describe and the instructions say.

                        Rereading the page a few more times, and considering UPSTYPE and DEVICE are two different columns, it may be saying use these values for the two fields, not "for USB enter blank." Device=(blank) is in fact what I have:
                        9aea79f4-3368-405b-a206-341cead58eab-image.png

                        Pre-2.7.2/23.09: Only install packages for your version, or risk breaking it. Select your branch in System/Update/Update Settings.
                        When upgrading, allow 10-15 minutes to restart, or more depending on packages and device speed.
                        Upvote 👍 helpful posts!

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                        • D
                          digitaljessica @SteveITS
                          last edited by

                          @teamits

                          Oh that's clear as mud.

                          In the apcupsd.conf you usually just say "UPS: usb" and leave the type blank, which is what it looks like it says on the web configurator page.

                          Writing "usb" in type now has fixed it. It didn't before so I don't get it. Maybe someone should change that hint to say to write usb there if you're using usb, rather than the table that looks like "for usb specify blank".

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                          • S
                            SteveITS Galactic Empire @digitaljessica
                            last edited by

                            It's made more confusing because like my screenshot shows it looks like "UPSTYPEDEVICE" with the columns squished together. Perhaps change those columns to "Enter in UPS Type field:" and "Enter in Device field:" or similar? Or move that table to a new row above both fields so it doesn't look like it's talking about only the USB Type field.

                            Pre-2.7.2/23.09: Only install packages for your version, or risk breaking it. Select your branch in System/Update/Update Settings.
                            When upgrading, allow 10-15 minutes to restart, or more depending on packages and device speed.
                            Upvote 👍 helpful posts!

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • R
                              RabidSasquatch @digitaljessica
                              last edited by

                              @digitaljessica Try entering a space in the USB Type field. For some reason that passes input validation and allows you to save the config settings.

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