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reemas · Jan 8, 2006, 12:20 AM

A friend just gave me his APC UPS 1400. However I noticed there is a serial port on the back. I sure this is to connect it to my iMac 20" (iSight).

Since I don't have a serial port, any ideas of how I can successfully connect it?

Also, if I don't connect it, is there and benefit to using this setup? Thanks.

ghporter · Jan 8, 2006, 10:26 AM

Check APC's tech support. I have one APC UPS that has a 9-pin port on it, but it came with a cable that has a 9-pin plug on one end and a USB plug on the other. They went through a period where they transitioned from a serial interface to a USB interface in steps... Their tech support site will have all the details on the particular model you have. Once you see what the interface really is, then you can start figuring out what to do.

mduell · Jan 8, 2006, 05:25 PM

I'll add to ghporter's comment and say APC used to use a non-standard pinout for the 9 pin port, so you may not be able to connect a generic serial-USB bridge to it.

reemas · Jan 8, 2006, 07:18 PM

i talked to someone who said APC switched a couple pins on their serial port forcing you to purchase an apc serial to USB convertor.

i've ordered one and will test it out once I receive it. hopefully tiger will then recognize it.

ghporter · Jan 9, 2006, 08:06 AM

They didn't "switch a couple pins." They used a non-standard pinout because they had OTHER functions included in the port and using a standard 9-pin serial cable would allow you to goober things up pretty seriously. In addition to status and such, they also made a "power manager" system intended for large-scale deployments which allowed a master computer to monitor and control a number of UPSs, all through that same serial port.

They used to have the pinout posted on their website; why would they do that if their purpose was to "force" the customer to spend an extra $10?

No hostility here, reemas, but misinformation is a BAD thing.

reemas · Jan 12, 2006, 10:57 PM

the official apc serial to usb convertor is NO GOOD. and this was now confirmed to me by APC. bummer.

reemas · Jan 12, 2006, 10:58 PM

by the way, by non-standard pinout, you must mean: they switched a couple of pins.

ghporter · Jan 13, 2006, 09:01 AM

Originally Posted by reemas

by the way, by non-standard pinout, you must mean: they switched a couple of pins.

No. "Switched" implies they just wanted to make the connector "different." They use a non-standard pinout so that their other hardware will have access to extra features supported by many of their UPSs. While the difference for the interface with the user's computer is slightly different, the interface with the management hardware allows the same port to be used by both. Further, the idea that "pins were switched" implies that they are not documented where they are very well documented.

I may be misreading you, but it seems that you feel APC is trying to cheat customers with some cheap trick, where they really are/were using a smart technique to provide significant enhancements to their equipment and management of that equipment.

JHromadka · Jan 13, 2006, 09:20 PM

I've been pricing out UPS systems for a potential XServe. Is there a particular APS system that works best? I've been looking at the Smart UPS rack versions.

ghporter · Jan 14, 2006, 08:37 AM

I recommend ALL APC systems, as long as they're consistent with the intended use. Go with MORE capacity than you think you'll need, of course; APC used to have a "capacity calculator" on their site that made it easier to guestimate how many volt-amps you'd need for a particular installation. The SMart UPS rack mount models are outstanding hardware, though not at all for the "budget minded."