Is anybody out there?

Sadly I entirely agree & I can't help you!

Well at least you replied!

There is a function in Cortex called Anaesthetise. This was a route to getting Cortex to save the database, stop the network and then shut itself down - but not the PC. This is because as and when this was introduced (quite a few years ago) it was considered that a typical UPS would itself be responsible for initiating this process before it then also shut down the PC (since it is the UPS which knows how much battery time is left). In other words it relied on a UPS which had such features to communicate and script suitable commands to the PC, e.g via a USB connection (one of which would be to execute Anaesthetise).

However... we are making an adjustment to Anaesthetise to provide the option for it to also shut down the PC a short while after the Cortex shut down. This should make it possible to instigate the full process from something simple like a digital signal feeding into Cortex or perhaps via an API communication (via Cortex Web API). For example might then use the mains loss connection from an IPD object to set the process going. Another thing to consider is that this process can also be used to switch the system into Reflex mode after the network stop phase. Probably not so useful in the case of a power cut since there would be no power to operate any electrical appliances anyway, but you never know - there could be some other battery backed functions somewhere.

I'll try to remember to post again once the updated Anaesthetise process is better tested, or you can just email me directly for further information

Karam, that sounds a useful addition. I did look at anaesthetise in the helpfile and thought that could work, but as my api abilities are zero so wasn't sure how I'd trigger that from outside cortex.

You can use a macro containing a Shell command to run AnaesthetiseW10.exe (see below). This macro can be then be triggered by the desired signal. What I should also explain is that AnaesthetiseW10 is a separate application which will then run alongside and communicates with Cortex. It will tell Cortex to do the save, network stop, and finally close Cortex. Then (in the updated version) it will request the PC to shut down after a set number of minutes. So the PC will shut down whilst AnaesthetiseW10 is still running but that is not a problem - as it could be if Cortex itself was asking the PC to shut down. Not to be confused with the Anaesthetise connection in the Cortex World object - which is not the same thing but can do the save/network shut down/Cortex close part only

Anaesthetise shell.jpg