Add an APC (or other) UPS to Ubuntu 16.04 and Netdata

Netdata has become a method to push for actual statistical data on a system.  In my line of work, the actual statistical data of what a computer is doing while running an application is worth as much as the application.  That is the nature of computer science.  We have figured out creative methods of adding Netdata to running systems, including diskless nodes.  I have been running it at home for months, yet I didn't even look at the glaring issue of what was missing until I added it to my NAS.  I run FreeNAS at home, and you can look at their website to see my blurb about how much I like it.  It really does everything I want it to do.  It was ridiculously easy to add a battery backup and configure it in the UPS settings.  Then, I noticed that there was a service for Netdata included.  Turned it on, and now I can see the battery backup in a browser window when I look at Netdata.

The issue I ran into with my home lab box was not with Netdata, it was with the configuration and installed resources on my box.  Ubuntu 16.04 requires apcupsd to be installed.  I thought that it was automagic, since the system showed the battery in the status bar next to audio and language.  Nope, you need to install the package for battery backup.  So, I installed apcupsd and configured it. 

Aggregate 1:
Install apcupsd

Not sure if that will fix the problem alone.  I changed the UPSNAME to my UPS name.  I have a 1500 because power sucks at my house.  Modified the existing /etc/apcupsd/apcupsd.conf file as a copy rather than copy over the listed config.  The big secret to all of this is that I had to change the configuration of the status to allow it to be read.  I found out that I needed to change it from 0 to 1 in the config.

Aggregate 2:
Change the status

Next up is modifying the Netdata stuff.  Perform a locate to find out if you are changing all of the configs in the same place.  If not, copy and paste as necessary.  The key files you need to uncomment are listed in the Netdata configuration helper. 

Aggregate 3:
Netdata configuration helper

Then you just need to pay attention to the logs listed in /var/log/netdata just like grandpa had to.