Issue:
What is the default administrator authentication phrase used by PowerChute Network Shutdown to communicate with the Network Management Card?

Product Line:
PowerChute Network Shutdown (PCNS)
Network Management Card (NMC)

Environment:
All supported OS
Network Management Card 1 – AP9617, AP9618, AP9619<
Network Management Card 2 running firmware version v6.7.2 or earlier – AP9630, AP9631, AP9635


Cause:
Security

Resolution:
The administrator authentication phrase used by PowerChute Network Shutdown (PCNS) should be the same as that used in the NMC. The default used by the NMC is admin user phrase.

NOTE: With the release of NMC firmware 6.8 and the release of PowerChute Network Shutdown 4.4, there is no default authentication phrase. When configuring the NMC with firmware 6.8 and PowerChute you must enter an authentication phrase. If you do not enter an authentication phrase and you enable HTTP or HTTPS for use with PowerChute you will see an error.


Note: You can set the authentication phrase value in the NMC user interface:

In v3.x firmware - UPS tab, under PowerChute --> Configuration
In v5.x firmware - UPS tab, under Configuration --> Shutdown
In v6.x firmware - Configuration --> Shutdown
If the UPS is a Symmetra PX with firmware 6.x - Configuration - PowerChute - PowerChute Configuration

The authentication phrase must be at least 15, but no more than 32 characters. You must use ASCII characters A-Z, a-z, 0-9.

If you change the authentication phrase in PowerChute, you must also change it on the NMC (otherwise, PowerChute and the NMC will not be able to communicate). If you are using a Redundant Smart-UPS, Multiple Symmetra, or a Parallel UPS configuration, all of the NMC authentication phrases must be the same.

To change the authentication phrase in the PowerChute 4.x web UI go to Communication Settings