PRB: Cannot Close Files After UPS Service Warning Message

ID Number: Q64487

2.00 2.10

MS-DOS

Summary:

SYMPTOMS

After a power failure occurs on a UPS (uninterruptible power

supply) protected server, the following message appears at the

workstation:

A power failure has occurred at \\SERVER1. Please

terminate all activity with this server.

Attempting to save open files fails and an error message appears,

indicating that the path is no longer available.

CAUSE

The "A power failure has occurred..." message is sent to all

session connected workstations, MESSDELAY seconds after power is

lost. Then, unless the UPS has the capability to inform the server

of a low-power state (see note below), the UPS server will stop the

SERVER service BATTERYTIME seconds after the point of initial power

loss.

MESSDELAY defaults to 5 seconds and BATTERYTIME defaults to 60

seconds. Thus, by default, all files must be closed within 55

seconds of receiving the warning message. If the files are not

closed within BATTERYTIME to MESSDELAY seconds from the initial

power failure warning, it will not be possible to close the files

because the server service has stopped.

RESOLUTION

When the server service is properly stopped, as it is when it is

stopped by the UPS service, all open files are safely closed in the

state they were in when they were last saved.

Using a NET USE command at the workstation will show connections to

the stopped server in a "disconnected" state. After power returns

and the server service is restarted, workstation application files

can be closed safely.

More Information:

Example

-------

1. At a network workstation, a Microsoft Word document is opened from

a remote share-point linked to drive F.

2. Power is lost at the server. All open files are closed and the

server service is stopped before the user has a chance to save the

Word document.

3. The user tries to save the Word document and receives a "disk

error" message notification. Drive F is now in a "disconnected"

state.

4. Power is restored to the server and the server service is

restarted; shares are reestablished.

5. The user tries again to save the Word document (as described in

step 3 above). Drive F is automatically reconnected and the Word

document is saved successfully.

Note: If the UPS has the capability to inform the UPS service of a

"low battery" state, and the SIGNALS' second digit is accordingly set

to 1, the UPS service will ignore BATTERYTIME and will not initiate

server shutdown until it receives the low-power signal from the UPS.

Additional reference words: 2.00 2.0 2.10 2.1