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Dell UPS 4200w J730N Unmanageable
Hoping for some suggestions. I've become the senior IT admin recently after the last of the old crew moved on and recently we had a power outage knock out all of our servers due to the batteries in one of our two old Dell UPS 4200W backups failing.
I recommended replacing the unit with newer, more efficient and up to date equipment, but the plan was made to simply replace all the batteries in the current unit and try to limp along with it until next year if possible. I got the new batteries installed and they are now charging and everything appears to be reporting ok, however, the LCD is still flashing the failed battery test warning. Even though the new batteries have reached 100% charge, have been running for over 72 hours, and there is currently a 13% load being pulled from the unit, the automated battery test does not appear to be running to reset the warning.
I do not see any way from the front-panel LCD controls, nor any terminal menu options via serial console connection to allow me to kick off a manual battery test.
My biggest headache at the moment though, is that my last option to try and manage these ancient units appears to be through the web management interface. However, being as old as they are, no modern browser will allow me to establish a connection to the interface due to outdated and unsupported SSL protocol requirements.
Is there ANY way that anyone knows that I can circumvent or disable the SSL on the NMC for these units so that I can manage them? Or are they truly too old at this point to be considered able to be supported? I can pull the serial numbers and current config data from them using the Dell MUMC, but cannot use that to push firmware updates or changes to them. (All firmware versions I have tried to download say they are unsupported, and honestly, on one of them I have no way of knowing what they changed the login credentials to.)
Thanks for any insight you can give!
AHill_GSN_ITadm
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May 25th, 2023 09:00
To summarize the combination of steps that I was able to utilize to get to the state I am now, in case anyone in future runs into this same issue, here is everything in order, as best I can remember.
Regaining access to the devices web user interface without using SSL:
I hope this helps some of you!
DELL-Joey C
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May 23rd, 2023 19:00
Hi @AHill_GSN_ITadm,
I checked the user guide for the NMC, the SSL can be disabled, but from the UI. The console is rather simple, which you can't disable SSL from there. Page 11: https://dell.to/45uMaLW
After going through the user guide of the UPS, the front control LCD seems to be able to set a manual battery test, page 41: https://dell.to/3WxKFZB
I don't have a UPS on hand to test the issue, but have you tried using the UPS Local Node Manager? https://dell.to/3WxKFZB
Just to confirm, is there any DPN# on the battery that you have used to replace?
AHill_GSN_ITadm
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May 24th, 2023 06:00
Thank you for your response - I have uninstalled the MUMC and installed the ULNM (though the webUI is still titled Multi-UPS Management Console the interface seems to match the manual you linked, so I will try this.)
As far as the batteries used as replacements, I had them send me the order information. They weren't ordered through Dell so I don't know the DPN# but the receipt shows them listed as "Dell 3750W H952N UPS Battery Set (REPLACEMENT)" Link: https://batteryrush.com/dell-2700w-3750W-H952N-ups-battery-set-replacement/?msclkid=8ad469b453111567031d0dda5873bff1&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=**LP%20-%20Shop%20-%20Misc.%20Batteries&utm_term=4574724294031256&utm_content=23025%20-%20Dell%203750W%20H952N%20UPS%20Battery%20Set%20(Replacement)%20-%20Battery%20Rush
The box they shipped in show model number of SP12-9(T2), and without pulling them back out of the UPS they do match the image represented in the linked order form.
I am looking through the linked NMC manual for the manual battery test, page 41 shows steps for shutdown, but I will track down the steps if they are listed in there.
Thank you again for all your assistance, and please let me know if I can provide any further information to assist you in your understanding and efforts.
All the best to you!
DELL-Chris H
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May 24th, 2023 07:00
I will relay the details to Joey, but first I wanted to clarify that while there are 2 listed 3750/4200w batteries available, without the specific part number we can't be certain on its compatibility. Also, on a side note, would you confirm if the device is on the latest firmware?
AHill_GSN_ITadm
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May 24th, 2023 09:00
Could someone kindly confirm the latest compatible firmware versions are:
UPS = 01.08.0004, A04 (Dell PN 9KTDC)
NMC = 01.18.0005, A09-00 (X2JYN)
Thank you!
AHill_GSN_ITadm
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May 24th, 2023 09:00
They are not, I don't believe, status info from MUMC:
Description: Dell UPS Rack 4200W High Efficiency Online HV
Firmware version: 01.06.0002
Nominal active power: 4200W
Class: Network Management Card / 01.08.0001
Update | I was able to get the SSL disabled so that I can now access the webUI on both units. Using MUMC on a separate computer than I have been, I was able to set the node access parameters, and then once they connected I was able to utilize the Nodes Settings / Access Control to push out a Security Mode change from "SSL and full authentication" to "Full authentication". Once I synchronized the configuration I was able to browse to the IP address using HTTP.
Now I need to get everything updated to the latest supported firmware and then try to find a way to initiate a manual battery test. I did not see an option in the web UI when I did a quick scan.
Thank you for all your assistance!
DELL-Chris H
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May 24th, 2023 10:00
AHill_GSN_ITadm
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May 24th, 2023 11:00
Thank you, I have tried to update both the NMC and the system firmware's but neither seem to want to accept the new files.
Using MUMC for the NMC I imported the Dell_nmc_01_18_0005.bin file and the update status shows the critical alert icon and states "The selected firmware is not compatible with this device." I then attempted to import Release_01_10_0005.bin and get the same response.
When looking at the "UPS Properties / About your UPS" on the web UI it shows:
UPS Part Number: J730N
(UPS Serial #)
System Technical Level / Firmware Revision: 01.06.0002
Network Management Card
Card Firmware revision: 01.08.0001
Card Part Number: H910P
Card Revision: A03
(Card Serial #)
(Card MAC Address)
Card Ethernet Speed: 100 MBit
From all I can find after exhaustive searching, the firmware files I am downloading should be compatible with this hardware. I'm at a loss. I really wish I could just convince them to upgrade to current gen hardware and retire these, I hate wasting everyone's time.
If I can't get these updated then at the very least we've managed to get me full access to managing them in their current state. Any further thoughts are appreciated, but if not, I thank everyone for their time and effort, you've been a great help!
DELL-Joey C
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May 24th, 2023 20:00
Hi @AHill_GSN_ITadm,
Apologies, shortener might have used the wrong link. I was referring to the link below. I've check around the guide for some resets and battery test.
Reference link Page 62 for manual battery test setting and Page 41 reset battery test status.
Let me know if it helped.
Reference: https://dl.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_ser_stor_net/esuprt_rack_infrastructure/dell-online-rack-ups-3750r_user's%20guide_en-us.pdf
DELL-Chris H
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May 25th, 2023 07:00
The difference is that with Battery floating the batteries are charged in constant voltage mode. Whereas with Battery resting, the batteries are connected but are not being charged or discharged.
AHill_GSN_ITadm
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May 25th, 2023 07:00
Thank you, that was actually helpful - I had to go in and reset the error/alarm state on the UPS. When I check the web UI for both UPS's the one that is 'OK' shows the battery state as "Resting" where the one I've been working on shows it as "Floating". Can you shed some light as to the difference in these two states and do I need to intervene in any way to change it?
This whole incident has caused me to take a crash course in UPS management. Thank you again for everything, you guys are awesome!
AHill_GSN_ITadm
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May 25th, 2023 08:00
You can ignore that question, I found the answers in the manual you linked regarding the Floating and Resting battery charge state.
I did see the section you referenced regarding running a manual battery test through the LCD front panel menu, however, the UPS's that we have only show an option to Cancel Battery Test yes/no, it does not give me an option to Start Battery Test.
Hopefully, now that all the alarms are reset, the batteries are fully charged, have been running for over 48 hours, and have over 10% load the scheduled test will automatically kick off. I am still reading though the manual to educate myself on the various settings so I can verify the current configuration and ensure it is operating as we need.
Thank you again for all of your assistance, I will post again if I run into a question that I am unable to answer via the manual or online search, but as for now I think I can give you all a break and consider this topic resolved.
I hope you all have a wonderful day, and keep up the great work!