Software update: UPSMAN modernized under Windows and Linux

The UPSMan software is one of GENEREX's longest-serving software products. This software tool allows the user to integrate UPS systems serially via USB or RFC1628 over LAN. When combined with RCCMD, it implements a homogeneous and streamlined shutdown solution for client-server systems and displays vital UPS data such as operating status, load, and battery condition in a clear web-based interface.

Since security in the dynamic world of server infrastructure has become increasingly important in recent years, also against the backdrop of geopolitical influences, the UPSMan has been upgraded to the best possible extent: The LINUX UPSMAN needs to be more robust against cyber attacks and now comes with a further development - the integration of SNMP V3 – an encrypted SNMP agent - for Linux systems.

The regulatory framework such as CRA (Cyber Resilience Act) or NIS2 (Network and Information Security Directive 2) clearly define security precautions that companies must take to operate modern server environments:
Companies are therefore faced with the challenge of making their infrastructure not only high-performance but also maximally resilient against threats. With the modernization of our UPSMAN software for Linux, we have taken support for SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) to a new level – in addition to the established standards SNMP V1 and V2c, we now integrate the encrypted version SNMP V3. Compared to its predecessors, SNMP V3 offers significant advances in security and authentication:

Authentication:

SNMP V3 enforces strong authentication of communication partners based on user authorizations. This prevents unauthorized access and manipulation of monitoring information.

Encryption:

Another key advantage of SNMP V3 is the encryption of data traffic. Sensitive information about the status of UPS systems, and thus potentially the availability of critical servers, remains protected from prying eyes. This is a strong argument for companies that process sensitive data or have particularly high data protection requirements.

Integrity:
SNMP V3 ensures that the transmitted data has not been altered unnoticed. This is essential to prevent misinterpretation of status messages and result in incorrect decisions.

What does native SNMP integration via snmpd mean on Linux?
“snmpd service" for SNMP system solutions, which has been popular among Linux administrators for many years, is an open-source Linux standard and not a proprietary application with special customizations, as competitors often use to differentiate their software solutions from other providers. UPSMAN for Linux communicates directly with snmpd and delivers its processed data. This simplifies integration into existing monitoring systems, reduces potential sources of error, and lowers total ownership costs.

Why aren't these changes also available for Microsoft products?
While Microsoft still doesn't natively deploy SNMP V3 in Windows operating systems, Linux's architecture allows for easy retrofitting. We're focused on providing our Linux users with enhanced security with SNMP V3. Our point of view is clear: this is an advantage and important for the server operating system and its environment.

Further innovations during modernization:
RFC1628 standard for all UPSMAN program versions

An integral part of our modernization is the consistent implementation of the RFC1628 standard in both the Windows and Linux versions of the UPSMAN software.

RFC1628 defines a standardized way to integrate UPS data, making it easier for your customers to integrate UPS systems from different manufacturers and models into their monitoring systems.

The days of proprietary interfaces and incompatible data formats now belong to the past.

✔ Manufacturer independency: By supporting the RFC1628 standard, the UPSMAN software is capable of querying data from a wide range of UPS manufacturers and models in a standardized manner. This reduces integration complexity and increases flexibility in selecting the appropriate UPS hardware.

✔ Compatibility with existing systems: RFC 1628 compatibility ensures seamless integration into existing IT infrastructures. This is especially important for companies that have already invested in UPS systems and are looking for a unified monitoring solution.

✔ Simplified implementation: The standardized approach of RFC1628 significantly simplifies the configuration and operation of UPS monitoring. This saves time and resources during implementation and ongoing operation.

✔ Homogeneous shutdown solutions: Combined with our RCCMD technology, the UPSMAN software under Linux enables the implementation of homogeneous and reliable shutdown solutions via SNMP and RFC 1628. The software can directly query UPS data and based on these values, provide precise control signals to server clients for initiating a structured system shutdown in the event of a power failure and prevent data loss.

New UPS systems (serial and USB)
During the modernization, numerous UPS models were also updated, so that the UPSMAN for Linux as an independent system tool with well over 1900 UPS models from over 100 manufacturers supports almost all UPS systems on the market natively with their own RS232 or USB protocols.

These significant improvements in the UPSMAN software for Windows and Linux open new opportunities for you in sales to position yourself as a partner for future-proof and resilient server infrastructures.

We are happy to provide you with further information and detailed technical specifications at any time.