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5. Communicating with Fortress
5A. CheckUPS Software
Your Fortress includes an interface cable and a CheckUPS software package for easy communication
and power monitoring. See the instructions that came with your software package to install
CheckUPS software and start the online instructions.
CheckUPS monitors power conditions and lets you display them on your computer screen. When
there is a long power outage and the UPS is running out of battery time, CheckUPS will ask the
users on your system to log out. Then, CheckUPS will do an orderly shutdown of the system
before the UPS shuts down. See the online CheckUPS manual for more information. CheckUPS
also lets you monitor power problems and display information about the UPS. The CheckUPS
CDROM Suite you received supports Novell NetWare, Windows (3.x, 95, and NT), UNIX and
compatible systems, OS/2, and DOS. For the latest information on CheckUPS or automatic shut-
down kits, call 1-800-356-5794 (U.S. and Canada), 1-608-565-7200, or the
Even if you are not using CheckUPS, you can communicate with the UPS using a dumb terminal
or a terminal emulation program (such as CROSSTALK® or ProComm™); see Sections
. (Windows® includes a terminal program; see the icon labeled “Terminal.”)
5B. Communication Modes
The UPS has two communication modes:
RS232 Communication Mode
Your UPS is set to this mode when you receive it. This is the communication mode used
by CheckUPS software; see
. If you decide not to use CheckUPS, you can use
this mode to issue commands to the UPS and to display UPS settings and power
conditions. See
for pin information; if you would like more information on
two-way communication, commands, and UPS settings, call Best Power to request
document FTS 502.
Extended Signal Mode
In this mode, additional signal contacts are available for Remote Shutdown and On Battery
Status. You may decide to use this mode if you have your own UPS
monitoring software and you do not plan to use CheckUPS. Two-way
communication is not possible in this mode — you cannot send commands or
display or change parameters. See