APC NMC TCP/IP settings

How to configure the APC Network Management Card (NMC).

American Power Conversion UPS Network Management Cards (used in the Symmetra LX) provide a useful web-interface to the UPS.
However, first the TCP/IP settings must be configured via the modules console port. Before continuing, determine the following:

IP address (and subnet mask) for the NMC/UPS
IP address of the default gateway (if required)

Caution: Do not use the address 127.0.0.1 as the default gateway. Doing so disables the card. You must then log on with a serial connection and reset the TCP/IP settings to their defaults.

After configuration, we can then use the Web interface (or the command line) to view the status and manage the UPS and the NMC.

Procedure to configure the TCP/IP settings:

1 Find and connect the APC Console cable (part #: 940-0299) to the Network Management Card.


Proprietary APC 2.5mm jack to 9 pin Female D-type, connects to console port of AP9631

2 Connect a TTY configured for 9600-8N1 (eg, hyperterminal, or Serial) to the Console cable.

3 Press return until "User Name" appears... the default username/password is: apc/apc ...

4 Use the command: tcpip (with the following switches) to configure the IP device addresses:

tcpip -i <IP address>
tcpip -s <Subnet mask>
tcpip -g <Gateway>

Usage: tcpip  -- Configure and display TCP/IP v4 parameters
    tcpip [-S <enable | disable>]
          [-i <ipv4 address>]
          [-s <subnet mask>]
          [-g <gateway>]
          [-d <domain name>]
          [-h <host name>]

5 Enter the command: reboot to commit any changes. Doing this will NOT interrupt the UPS output.

Recover from a lost password:

Hook up the TTY (9600-8N1), and hit return until "User Name" appears.
Press the reset button, the LED will flash alternately orange and green.
Press the reset button a second time while the LED is flashing to reset the name and password.
Hit return until the "User Name" appears. Log in with the default: apc/apc
If you do not log in within 30 seconds, you must repeat step 2.
After logging in, change the password (if required) as follows: user -n <username> -pw <password>
Example: user -n apc -pw 1234 will change the superuser (apc) password to 1234
Type quit or exit to log off.

TTY Output Example:


User Name : apc  (default: apc/apc)
Password  : ***

American Power Conversion               Network Management Card AOS      v5.1.7
(c) Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved  Symmetra APP                     v5.1.7
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name      : Unknown                                   Date : 10/29/2012
Contact   : Unknown                                   Time : 02:33:21
Location  : Unknown                                   User : Administrator
Up Time   : 12 Days 2 Hours 32 Minutes                Stat : P+ N4? N6+ A+


Type ? for command listing
Use tcpip command for IP address(-i), subnet(-s), and gateway(-g)

apc>tcpip
E000: Success

Manually Configured IPv4 Settings:
  IPv4:                 enabled
  Manual Settings:      disabled

  IPv4 Address:         0.0.0.0
  Subnet Mask:          0.0.0.0
  Gateway:              0.0.0.0
  MAC Address:          00 C0 B7 9E 10 48
  Domain Name:          example.com
  Host Name:            apc9D2266


apc>tcpip -i 10.10.10.31   (IP address)
E002: Success
Reboot required for change to take effect.


apc>tcpip -s 255.255.255.0 (Subnet mask)
E002: Success
Reboot required for change to take effect.


apc>tcpip -g 10.10.10.254  (Gateway)
E002: Success
Reboot required for change to take effect.


apc>tcpip
E000: Success

Manually Configured IPv4 Settings:
  IPv4:                 enabled
  Manual Settings:      enabled

  IPv4 Address:         10.10.10.31
  Subnet Mask:          255.255.255.0
  Gateway:              10.10.10.254
  MAC Address:          00 C0 B7 9E 10 48
  Domain Name:          example.com
  Host Name:            apc9D2266

apc>reboot
E000: Success
Reboot Management Interface
Enter 'YES' to continue or <ENTER> to cancel : yes
Rebooting...