Question : Problem: How to shut down multiple computers running off of one UPS

I have three computers each plugged into surge protectors.  These surge protectors plug into a three headed extension cord that plugs into a wall socket.

I would like to purchase a UPS for this system.  However,  when the AC power goes out and the three computers and monitors are running on the UPS, How can I tell the three computers to shut down?

If I used a USB hub and plugged the input of the hub nto the UPS and the output of the hub individually connected to the three different computers with three separate USB cables.  Does anyone think this would tell the three computers to shut down

Regards,

Zarfman

Answer : Problem: How to shut down multiple computers running off of one UPS

there is a shutdown command for Windows 2000 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/317371
and a different syntax for XP.
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/shutdown.mspx?mfr=true
This uses the network to send the command for comp to comp.  Make sure the firewalls are disabled or all this command through in order for it to activate the shutdown.  So the Comp monitoring  the UPS needs to send the command to shutdown all the pc's when the power reaches a certain level.  This can be activated by going to the display/screensaver tab and clicking on POWER.
Keep in mind as long as you put in a warning time you can stop a shutdown with the command shutdown -a or shutdown a/ depending on the OS.