The test is named by an OBJECT IDENTIFIER which allows a standard mechanism for the initiation of tests, including the well known tests identified in this document as well as those introduced by a particular implementation, i.e., as documented in the private enterprise MIB definition for the device.

Setting this variable initiates the named test. Sets to this variable require the presence of upsTestSpinLock in the same SNMP message.

The set request will be rejected with an appropriate error message if the requested test cannot be performed, including attempts to start a test when another test is already in progress. The status of the current or last test is maintained in upsTestResultsSummary. Tests in progress may be aborted by setting the rupsTestId variable to rupsTestAbortTestInProgress.

Read operations return the value of the name of the test in progress if a test is in progress or the name of the last test performed if no test is in progress, unless no test has been run, in which case the well known value upsTestNoTestsInitiated is returned.