Mass Configuration of APC Network Management Card type devices

Explained below are the different available options to push multiple settings to multiple APC Network Management Card (NMC) type devices, also known as mass configuration.

Data Center Expert is one of the tools users can use to push settings to multiple devices at one time to APC Network Management Card (NMC) type devices. The NMC is the APC device's interface to your Ethernet network. Some APC products support optional NMCs and others come pre-installed with an NMC. APC NMC type devices include APC single and 3-phase UPS, cooling units, Environmental Monitoring Units, NetBotz Rack Monitor 200, and Rack Power Distribution Units (PDU).

Two generations of NMC exist today referred to as NMC1 and NMC2. Data Center Expert is able to support both. The NMCs are available in two major form factors - those you can install in a UPS SmartSlot and those that are referred as "embedded" or "mini" inside of devices and are not typically removable unless otherwise specified. The embedded versions are based on the following UPS SmartSlot NMCs listed below in Table 1 along with additional details pertinent to mass configuration.

Each NMC with v3.X firmware or higher contains a file called config.ini. It is an INI file which holds all of the settings available on the NMC. provides a graphical user interface to modify this file, change settings, save templates, and to push to multiple devices at one time.

Earlier firmware versions of NMC1 contained all device settings, including usernames and passwords. This was later changed for security reasons in NMC1 3.X as well as NMC2 all versions. 

Table 1

Configuration Type

The "APC SNMP Device Configuration" menu offers two options as shown below:

Standard device configuration settings

Select this option for mass configuration of non-user type settings on NMC type devices. This includes settings such as email recipients for alarm notifications (those configured directly on the devices), device description and name, DNS servers, domain name, and any other settings that you would like to have the same across multiple devices in your environment. v3.X and v5.X username configuration can also be completed through this option. Passwords can be pushed to devices through this option but will report an error or incomplete configuration. Detailed information on why is available in the APC knowledge base, article ID FA156151 and FA158360.

Once you select this option you are presented with the following choices:

• Configure Devices - This option is designed for a one time mass configuration of device settings.
• Create a Template - This option is designed for setting template creation which is optimal for configuration settings that need to be pushed frequently, such as for new devices added to the user's environment.
• Edit a Template - Edit an existing template that was already created and saved on Data Center Expert previously. A list of saved templates are available for the user to select and edit.
• Configure Devices from a Template - Select which devices to apply and push a template to.

When configuring devices or creating a template, the user is presented with a screen where he or she must select the device(s) to configure or the device to base their template on. Upon selecting one or more devices and choosing the Retrieve Device Settings option, Data Center Expert will retrieve the device's config.ini file either by FTP or SCP. (You may notice the config.ini was "last retrieved" prior to now. Make sure to select Retrieve Device Settings for the most up to date config.ini.)

Note: Use the Device File Transfer Settings option to verify FTP or SCP settings are accurate for the device(s) if Retrieve Device Settings fails.

After selecting the configuration source(s), the user must select one or more devices as the destination. After doing so, the user is presented with a graphical user interface to modify config.ini file settings. See below.

Expand each section as needed in order to configure your device(s) or create your template. Double click or highlight and press "Edit" on each setting you'd like to modify. A dialog box will pop up allowing you to select or enter a value. Keep in mind, the settings shown here are settings located directly on the APC Network Management Card devices rather than anywhere on the DCE Server.

After modifying the settings you wish to push have been modify, press Finish and the Device Configuration Status tab view will display the status of the mass configuration action(s).

User configuration (APC OS versions 6.0.0 and higher, excluding v6.0.6 through v6.1.1)

 Because of the new complexity of v6.X.X NMC2 firmware and how user configuration is done outside of config.ini, select this option if you'd like to add new users to an NMC2 device with v6.X firmware.

After selecting this option on the Configuration Type screen, you'll be presented with the screen to select which target devices with v6.X.X firmware you would like to push a user configuration to.

Note: Use the Device File Transfer Settings option to verify FTP or SCP settings are accurate for the device(s) prior to pressing Next.

The next dialog box (shown below) will provide a graphical user interface for creating a .csf file. As it pertains to the Network Management Cards and .csf (Command Script Files), more information is available in the knowledge base, article ID FA176542. This knowledge base contains helpful background information on how a .csf works and what DCE is helping you to create in order to push in mass fashion to your APC Network Management Card type devices.

Create/Modify User

Select this option to create or modify a user.

The options you'll find on this screen are all options and user preferences available at the user level.

Notes: 

• All usernames are case sensitive. They cannot be renamed in case of typo or other change.
• Advanced Options item use is designated for advanced users or by direction of DCIM technical support.

Modify Super User

The Super User is a new user available in v6.X Network Management Card firmware. It is modeled after "root" within Linux systems. The Super User has full control of the NMC2.

Note: This user cannot be renamed, locked, or deleted. It can, however, be disabled.

Detailed information on user types, including Super User, are located in knowledge base article ID FA170552.

Note: Advanced Options item is designated for advanced users or by direction of DCIM technical support.

Modify Default User Settings

This is a complimentary function to creating/modifying users, establishing default user preferences. It acts as new user template which is especially helpful when adding users in bulk to the system. There are two main features for the default user settings:

• Determine the default values to populate in each of the fields when the new users are created. These values can be changed before the settings are applied to the Network Management Card(s).

• For remote users (user accounts not stored in the system that are remotely authenticated such as RADIUS), these are the values used for those that are not provided by the authenticating server.

For example, if a RADIUS server does not provide the user with a temperature preference, the value defined in this section will be used.

Note: Advanced Options item is designated for advanced users or by direction of DCIM technical support.

Delete Existing User

This option allows you to delete an existing user account from the device(s). You must know the username of the account you wish to delete. If you do not know it, you can access the device(s) directly to verify.

Add Custom Command

Add Custom Command option is intended for advanced users or by direction of DCIM technical support. It allows the user to add a custom command to the .csf file which is created and pushed to devices by Data Center Expert. 

NOTICE: It is important to follow these instructions as written.