The APC UPS Network Management Card 3 (AP9640) is a powerful accessory designed to enable secure, remote monitoring and control of APC Smart-UPS systems equipped with a SmartSlot. Paired with PowerChute Network Shutdown software, this card enhances the management of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) by providing real-time insights, automated shutdown capabilities, and advanced security features. This blog explores the features, specifications, benefits, and ideal use cases of the AP9640, making it an essential tool for IT professionals and businesses seeking robust power management solutions.
Overview of the APC AP9640 Network Management Card
The AP9640 is a third-generation Network Management Card (NMC3) from APC by Schneider Electric, designed to connect compatible APC Smart-UPS units to a network for remote monitoring and management. Supporting both single-phase and three-phase UPS systems, the card integrates with secure web browsers, command-line interfaces, or SNMP protocols, offering flexibility and control. The included PowerChute Network Shutdown software ensures graceful, unattended shutdowns of physical servers, virtual machines, and HCI clusters during power outages, safeguarding data and equipment. With its high-speed processor and Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, the AP9640 is ideal for modern IT environments requiring mission-critical visibility and management.
Key Features
- Remote Monitoring and Control
The AP9640 allows users to monitor and manage individual APC UPS units via a web browser, command-line interface (CLI), or SNMP (v1/v2c/v3). It provides real-time data on UPS status, load, battery health, and runtime, enabling proactive management from anywhere on the network. - PowerChute Network Shutdown Software
The included PowerChute Network Shutdown software (certified VMware Ready, Nutanix Ready, and Nutanix-AHV Ready) facilitates unattended, graceful shutdowns of connected servers and virtual machines during extended power outages. It supports Windows, Linux, and VMware ESXi, ensuring proper shutdown sequences and system restarts in the correct order. - Gigabit Ethernet Connectivity
Equipped with a Gigabit Ethernet port (1000Base-T), the AP9640 ensures high-speed data transmission, improving performance over older 10/100 Mbps cards. This is critical for environments requiring rapid data updates and multiple user access. - Advanced Security Features
The card supports robust security protocols, including HTTPS/SSL, SSH (up to 2048-bit encryption), SNMPv3, and EAPoL (IEEE 802.1x) for port-based network access control. It also features user-selectable passwords with strong password rules and a reset mechanism, ensuring secure access and data protection. - Comprehensive Data and Event Logging
The AP9640 offers 100x data and event log space compared to previous models, allowing users to track trends, pinpoint issues, and analyze events leading to incidents. Logs can be exported for further analysis, aiding in proactive maintenance. - EcoStruxure IT Integration
The card integrates with EcoStruxure IT, APC’s vendor-neutral platform, for efficient monitoring and management of critical IT assets. It also supports Modbus TCP/IP and BACnet/IP, enabling compatibility with building management systems and other third-party platforms. - Flash-Upgradeable Firmware
The AP9640 supports remote firmware updates via FTP, ensuring the card remains up-to-date with the latest features and security enhancements. Note that some users have reported that newer firmware updates may require a support contract. - Multiple-User Access and Multilingual Support
The card supports multiple-user access and comes with pre-loaded multilingual support, making it accessible to diverse teams. The intuitive web interface and CLI enhance usability for IT administrators. - Environmental Monitoring Support
The AP9640 enables integration with environmental sensors (e.g., temperature and humidity probes) for comprehensive monitoring of UPS operating conditions, enhancing system reliability.
Technical Specifications
- Part Number: AP9640
- Host Interface: SmartSlot
- Network Connectivity: Gigabit Ethernet (1000Base-T), USB
- Dimensions: 38 mm (H) x 121 mm (W) x 114 mm (D)
- Net Weight: 0.08 kg
- Operating Environment: 0–45°C, 0–95% relative humidity, 0–3048 meters elevation
- Storage Environment: -5–45°C, 0–15240 meters elevation
- Protocols Supported: HTTPS/SSL, SSH, SNMP (v1/v2c/v3), Modbus TCP/IP, BACnet/IP
- Warranty: 2 years (repair or replace)
- Included Components: CD with PowerChute Network Shutdown software, user manual
Benefits of the APC AP9640 Network Management Card
- Enhanced UPS Management
The AP9640 provides real-time visibility into UPS performance, enabling IT teams to monitor and manage power events remotely, reducing downtime and improving response times. - Graceful Shutdowns for Data Protection
PowerChute Network Shutdown ensures that servers and virtual machines are shut down properly during power outages, preventing data loss and ensuring business continuity. - High-Speed and Secure Connectivity
The Gigabit Ethernet port and advanced security protocols provide fast, secure access to UPS data, making the AP9640 suitable for enterprise-grade environments. - Scalability and Integration
Compatibility with EcoStruxure IT, SNMP, and building management systems allows the AP9640 to scale with growing IT infrastructures and integrate with existing management platforms. - Ease of Installation and Use
Users report that the card is plug-and-play, with straightforward installation into a UPS SmartSlot. The web interface and CLI are intuitive, and setup can be completed in a few hours with proper network configuration (e.g., DHCP or static IP).
Ideal Use Cases
The APC AP9640 Network Management Card is ideal for:
- Data Centers and Server Rooms: Enables remote monitoring and shutdown of UPS units protecting critical servers and networking equipment.
- Small to Medium Businesses: Enhances power management for IT setups with limited on-site staff, ensuring uptime and data protection.
- Virtualized Environments: Supports graceful shutdowns of VMware ESXi, Microsoft Hyper-V, and Nutanix systems during power events.
- Remote IT Management: Provides cloud-based and network-based monitoring for distributed IT environments.
- Building Management Systems: Integrates with Modbus and BACnet for facilities requiring comprehensive environmental monitoring.
Customer Feedback
Recent reviews highlight the AP9640’s ease of installation and robust functionality. Users praise its plug-and-play setup, with one reviewer noting seamless integration with an APC Smart-UPS SMT1500C for remote management. The card’s ability to customize thresholds, alarms, and load-shedding preferences is highly valued, particularly for protecting servers and high-end gaming rigs. However, some users caution about the default 3-minute web interface timeout, which can interrupt firmware updates, recommending an increase to the maximum timeout. Others have expressed concerns about APC’s move toward subscription-based firmware updates, though the card remains a cost-effective alternative to SmartConnect subscriptions for home and small business users.
Conclusion
The APC UPS Network Management Card 3 (AP9640) with PowerChute Network Shutdown is a versatile and powerful tool for managing APC Smart-UPS systems. Its Gigabit Ethernet connectivity, advanced security features, and integration with EcoStruxure IT and PowerChute software make it an excellent choice for businesses and IT professionals seeking reliable, remote UPS management. While the potential for subscription-based firmware updates is a consideration, the AP9640’s robust feature set, ease of use, and compatibility with modern IT environments ensure it remains a valuable investment for protecting critical infrastructure.
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