Add support for APC UPS (apcupsd)

[meti]

Please add the apcupsd software to the meteohub images.

Apcupsd is very useful with a Uninterruptable Power Supply to prevent damage to the filesystem due to loss of power.
Especially with flash based storage (e.g. CF) a sudden powerfail can cause the destruction of the filesystem.

[geiro]

yes, I also would like this, My Meteohub has been dead for 2 weeks after å short power fail, my weather station is 250 km from home så I have du be able to relay on the system, my first downtime after 5 years with WD, but then on a laptop/Mac which obviously had a battery.....

[wfpost]

You can install it yourself on your meteohub shell >>>
apt-get install apcupsd

why do I not like such companies

http://www.apcupsd.org/

Do Not Purchase The Following UPSes
Recently APC has begun shipping UPSes that utilize a new communication protocol called "Microlink". To date, APC has refused to release details of this protocol to the apcupsd team so that we can add support for it to apcupsd. Consequently, the apcupsd team recommends you DO NOT purchase the following APC UPS models (this list may be incomplete; please send any additions to the apcupsd-users mailing list):

SmartUPS SMX/SMT 750, 1000, 1500
SmartUPS RT 3000XL, 5000XL

These UPSes have the following restrictions with respect to compatibility with apcupsd:

The serial (RS232) port CANNOT be used with apcupsd at all.
The USB port will work with apcupsd but will only convey very basic information such as on-battery/on-line and run time remaining. Other readings such as voltage, frequency, etc. are not available.

If you already own one of these models:

You can purchase an AP9620 Legacy Communication Card from APC that will allow the UPS to communicate with apcupsd via USB or serial and this interface will contain more data than the native USB interface. However, the "green energy" features of newer UPSes will NOT be accessible. Also, use of the AP9620 may require a firmware upgrade to your UPS and the card is not compatible with all Microlink UPSes. Contact APC to find out if this is an option for your UPS.
Alternatively you can purchase a Web/SNMP card from APC and utilize the SNMP or PCNET protocols with apcupsd. Again these protocols will provide more data than the native USB interface.
You should notify APC that you are unhappy with their policy requiring you to purchase additional hardware in order to manage your UPS with open source tools such as apcupsd.

[meti]

The apt-get way to install this software doesn't work. Debian etch is still the Debian version Meteohub is based on.
The Meteohub maintainer is NOT flexible enough to upgrade Meteohub from Etch to Lenny (Debian oldstable) or Squeeze (Debian Stable).

If Meteohub would be based on Squeeze then the software install wouldn't be a problem.

We all have paid much money for this software solution. And because of this I want the inclusion of apcupsd into meteohub or an upgrade to Squeeze by the Meteohub maintainer --- immediately!

[YJB]

We all have paid much money for this software solution.

Wait a moment: There is a trial period, during this free trail period you can decide if you like Meteohub or not, and check if the offered features arre well worth the money. If you are not happy, it means that you didn't test things properly during the trail period.

[wfpost]

His tone alone shows what a bloke he is and also he hasn´t read the forum.
Instead of his shouting he should have learned about a magic word in German: bitte (please)

There´s a post that describes in full detail how to upgrade meteohub to lenny.
After doing that upgrade apt-get works without any problems.
e.g. I´m installed among some other additional programs imagemagick which does now stamping my webcam pics.

[meti]

His tone alone shows what a bloke he is and also he hasn´t read the forum.
Instead of his shouting he should have learned about a magic word in German: bitte (please)

Have a look to my initial request. First word: Please ...
And your tone, sorry ... I have only one answer: a....le

I know the way to upgrade to Lenny or even to Squeeze. But -- I think -- like many others I prefer a clean solution. Downloading a ready-to-use Meteohub Image, writing it to the CF and make a few online updates. Write weather data and individual settings back to the system and it works.

And to the free trial period ... at this time one year ago I didn't use a UPS. I was completely satisfied at this time.

Upgrading meteohub from etch to squeeze (lenny is already oldstable ...) just to be able use it and add one package is not a very good solution.

Und weil meine Muttersprache schon zur Sprache gekommen ist noch nen Kommentar: Es wäre für die Meteohub Maintainer wohl kein Problem EINMAL ein Image von Etch zu Squeeze hochzuziehen und dann der Allgemeinheit zur Verfügung zu stellen. Das wäre doch kein Problem, da die Wetterdaten und die persönlichen Einstellungen doch per Backup gesichert werden könnten. Und damit ist mit minimaler Downtime ein komplettes Upgrade auf einen zeitgemäßen und aktuellen Stand machbar, auch für Systeme mit zu kleinem Massenspeicher um das upgrade online durchzuführen. Muss nur ein neues Image auf den Datenträger und dieser halt dann gewechselt werden. Weitere Updates gibts dann eben auf Basis des neuen, stabilen Systems.

Für Sheevaplug zum Beispiel ist Meteohub ja eh bereits auf Lenny aufgesetzt, und das müsste ebenfalls bald mal nach Squeeze hochgezogen werden.

Aber lt. diversen Aussagen hier in diesem Forum -- Anfragen zum Upgrade gibts ja bereits -- lese ich heraus das die Maintainer einfach zu faul sind das zu tun!

Und wo ist das Problem, wenn schon nicht ein kompletter Upgrade durchgeführt werden will, wenigstens das eine Paket (incl. Abhängigkeiten) mit ins Image zu packen? Geht nicht, gibts nicht. Es geht alles, man muss nur wollen.

Es wär so einfach wenn die Meteohub Applikation als deb Paket zur Verfügung stehen würde, dann könnte man auf jedem Debian System ein Meteohub aufsetzen. Aber das ist ja auch nicht vorgesehen.

Und jetzt könnt Ihr über mich herfallen ...

[shinebar]

The apt-get way to install this software doesn't work. Debian etch is still the Debian version Meteohub is based on.
The Meteohub maintainer is NOT flexible enough to upgrade Meteohub from Etch to Lenny (Debian oldstable) or Squeeze (Debian Stable).

What's the matter? Just update your /etc/apt/sources.list and you're able to download old packages:

Code: Select all

deb http://archive.debian.org/debian-archive/debian etch main
deb http://archive.debian.org/debian-archive/debian-security etch/updates main
deb http://archive.debian.org/debian-archive/debian-volatile etch/volatile main

No question: Squeeze would be nice, but isn't necessary to use acupsd, at least if your UPS isn't bleeding edge.