Shut down Mac Server when APC 1400 battery is nearly empty I'm running OS X Server on a Mac Mini. I'm powering the server via an APC 1400 (one of the older, beige ones). It has a serial connector, so I assume it could possibly interface with the Mac Mini via a serial to USB adapter.

Is it possible to power down the OS X Server when the UPS batter is nearly depleted with my setup? Do I need to install APC software to get this to work? Will a serial to USB adapter do the job?

Or is my APC backup unit too ancient to work with my Mac Mini in this scenario?
You don't need any software on the Mac for most APC units. The OS detects them when plugged into USB in my experience and the energy saver preference pane has exactly the control you seek:





You can see the connection is USB and the firmware details on the device.