Hi all, I have no experience with UPS, so here my questions are. 1) What kind of software should I use with the UPS? I want the PC to log when a power failure happen, and to turn off when the failure lasts too much. That software must work with serial port, as I do not have USB ports. 2) What is RS-232 connector? Is it common serial port? 3) How much sellers lie? I mean, I have seen some low cost UPS and sometimes they can resist longer than high cost UPS. I know that half load of a low cost one is much less than half load of a high cost one, but I do not find that information very trustful. So, guys and girls, how much does your UPS last? 4) What UPS do you have, and how is your life with it? Praise
2) RS-232 is the standard for serial ports. DB-9 and DB-25 are the
commonly available connectors.
1) Most UPS with this capability come with software on floppy or
CD-ROM. It is almost always Windows or Mac only. There are several
UPS software packages included with SuSE. APC does have a Linux
package that can be downloaded.
3) Don't trust the reliability of your system to cheap hardware. I
may buy cheap gas or even headlights for my car; the seatbelts and
brakes I want to be ultra-reliable.
Look carefully at the specs. I was puzzled by APC's BackUPS and
BackUPS-Pro lines, the Pro being more expensive. The difference is
the BackUPS is the dumb line. The Pro line is the smart controller,
it can tell the computer how much power is left in the batteries,
signal when they are 30% recharged, handle power back on after
shutdown sequence initiated, etc. For a system that must run reliably
unattended and come back up on its own, this is much better. The dumb
series is only suitable for where a person is available to power back up.
4) I have a APC BackUPS 650. It kept my Dell Dimension 450MHz
PIII and 17" CRT up for 40 minutes. I now have a Athlon XP 1800 and a
17" LCD monitor. I expect the same up time. I am using the software
downloaded from APC.
I wish I had bought the Pro model. I need this system to be able to
restart itself unattended. I travel for weeks at a time and need the
system to stay up in my absence.
HTH,
Jeffrey
Quoting Praise
Hi all,
I have no experience with UPS, so here my questions are.
1) What kind of software should I use with the UPS? I want the PC to log when a power failure happen, and to turn off when the failure lasts too much. That software must work with serial port, as I do not have USB ports.
2) What is RS-232 connector? Is it common serial port?
3) How much sellers lie? I mean, I have seen some low cost UPS and sometimes they can resist longer than high cost UPS. I know that half load of a low cost one is much less than half load of a high cost one, but I do not find that information very trustful. So, guys and girls, how much does your UPS last?
4) What UPS do you have, and how is your life with it?
Praise
On Sun, Feb 10, 2002 at 07:45:19AM -0600, Jeffrey Taylor wrote: -> 4) I have a APC BackUPS 650. It kept my Dell Dimension 450MHz -> PIII and 17" CRT up for 40 minutes. I now have a Athlon XP 1800 and a -> 17" LCD monitor. I expect the same up time. I am using the software -> downloaded from APC. Whoa! I get 8 minutes with a P4 1.8GHz and a 22" LaCie monitor on my Back-UPS Pro 650. I do have 96GB of scsi drives in there and 11 fans too, but still... 40 minutes? Michael -- "# chmod a+x /bin/laden" Michael Nelson San Francisco, CA
Whoa, you just answered yourself right there. 1.8 Gig Box 22" Monitor (ouch) Stack of SCSI drives Stack of Fans I've got an APC 300VA running my Box and LCD montior here, and APC 650VA that runs all of my network devices (Router, hubs, Cable modem, etc) and misc hardware. Then Ive got an APC 1100VA running my Dual 733, Dual 1Ghz, and 2 Sun Sparc5 boxes. They all get decent time, but I havent had a power outage long enough to stretch em! They are mostly there for quick outages, and blips. Joseph Hobbs Compaq Web Services / GEAE Team Tier 2/3 Support | Team Lead Backup hobbsj@somecrazyfool.com Joseph.Hobbs@ae.ge.com -----Original Message----- From: Michael Nelson [mailto:michaelnel@earthlink.net] Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2002 11:03 AM To: suse-linux-e@suse.com Cc: Jeffrey Taylor Subject: Re: [SLE] I am going to buy my first UPS On Sun, Feb 10, 2002 at 07:45:19AM -0600, Jeffrey Taylor wrote: -> 4) I have a APC BackUPS 650. It kept my Dell Dimension 450MHz PIII -> and 17" CRT up for 40 minutes. I now have a Athlon XP 1800 and a 17" -> LCD monitor. I expect the same up time. I am using the software -> downloaded from APC. Whoa! I get 8 minutes with a P4 1.8GHz and a 22" LaCie monitor on my Back-UPS Pro 650. I do have 96GB of scsi drives in there and 11 fans too, but still... 40 minutes? Michael -- "# chmod a+x /bin/laden" Michael Nelson San Francisco, CA -- To unsubscribe send e-mail to suse-linux-e-unsubscribe@suse.com For additional commands send e-mail to suse-linux-e-help@suse.com Also check the FAQ at http://www.suse.com/support/faq and the archives at http://lists.suse.com
Actually, another question for you all. I've currently got 4 boxes running off my 1100VA box. Once I get everything up and running (have to rebuild one of my Linux boxes), I'm going to connect the UPS to it. I am hoping to configure that box so that it knows when the UPS gets a critical alarm (5 min left or whatever). However, since that box is the only one that knows power is going, the other 3 boxes aren't. I was thinking writing some sort of "shutdown" script, and having my Linux box Remote Shell to the other 3 and init them. Of course, this means that when power is restored, my Linux boxes will boot (they are set to boot when power is applied), but my Sun boxes wont. This is acceptable, because my Sun boxes are test boxes anyways. Anyone ever try anything like this? Got any reasons as to why I shouldn't try it? Joseph Hobbs Compaq Web Services / GEAE Team Tier 2/3 Support | Team Lead Backup hobbsj@somecrazyfool.com Joseph.Hobbs@ae.ge.com -----Original Message----- From: Joseph Hobbs [mailto:hobbsj@somecrazyfool.com] Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2002 3:48 PM To: 'SuSE Linux List' Subject: RE: [SLE] I am going to buy my first UPS Whoa, you just answered yourself right there. 1.8 Gig Box 22" Monitor (ouch) Stack of SCSI drives Stack of Fans I've got an APC 300VA running my Box and LCD montior here, and APC 650VA that runs all of my network devices (Router, hubs, Cable modem, etc) and misc hardware. Then Ive got an APC 1100VA running my Dual 733, Dual 1Ghz, and 2 Sun Sparc5 boxes. They all get decent time, but I havent had a power outage long enough to stretch em! They are mostly there for quick outages, and blips. Joseph Hobbs Compaq Web Services / GEAE Team Tier 2/3 Support | Team Lead Backup hobbsj@somecrazyfool.com Joseph.Hobbs@ae.ge.com -----Original Message----- From: Michael Nelson [mailto:michaelnel@earthlink.net] Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2002 11:03 AM To: suse-linux-e@suse.com Cc: Jeffrey Taylor Subject: Re: [SLE] I am going to buy my first UPS On Sun, Feb 10, 2002 at 07:45:19AM -0600, Jeffrey Taylor wrote: -> 4) I have a APC BackUPS 650. It kept my Dell Dimension 450MHz PIII -> and 17" CRT up for 40 minutes. I now have a Athlon XP 1800 and a 17" -> LCD monitor. I expect the same up time. I am using the software -> downloaded from APC. Whoa! I get 8 minutes with a P4 1.8GHz and a 22" LaCie monitor on my Back-UPS Pro 650. I do have 96GB of scsi drives in there and 11 fans too, but still... 40 minutes? Michael -- "# chmod a+x /bin/laden" Michael Nelson San Francisco, CA -- To unsubscribe send e-mail to suse-linux-e-unsubscribe@suse.com For additional commands send e-mail to suse-linux-e-help@suse.com Also check the FAQ at http://www.suse.com/support/faq and the archives at http://lists.suse.com -- To unsubscribe send e-mail to suse-linux-e-unsubscribe@suse.com For additional commands send e-mail to suse-linux-e-help@suse.com Also check the FAQ at http://www.suse.com/support/faq and the archives at http://lists.suse.com
Of course, this means that when power is restored, my Linux boxes will boot (they are set to boot when power is applied), but my Sun boxes wont. This is acceptable, because my Sun boxes are test boxes anyways.
How do you set up a box to boot when power is applied? Is it possible with old AT pc? Praise
As far as my Mobos are concerned, (ABIT VP6) there is a flag in the bios for this. If you are working with old AT computers, this doesn't matter. Since power is controlled by an actual POWER SWITCH, they will attempt to run when the switch is on, and power is present. Joseph Hobbs Compaq Web Services / GEAE Team Tier 2/3 Support | Team Lead Backup hobbsj@somecrazyfool.com Joseph.Hobbs@ae.ge.com -----Original Message----- From: Praise [mailto:praisetazio@tiscalinet.it] Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2002 6:26 PM To: suse-linux-e@suse.com Subject: Re: [SLE] I am going to buy my first UPS - Another question!!!
Of course, this means that when power is restored, my Linux boxes will
boot (they are set to boot when power is applied), but my Sun boxes wont. This is acceptable, because my Sun boxes are test boxes anyways.
How do you set up a box to boot when power is applied? Is it possible with old AT pc? Praise -- To unsubscribe send e-mail to suse-linux-e-unsubscribe@suse.com For additional commands send e-mail to suse-linux-e-help@suse.com Also check the FAQ at http://www.suse.com/support/faq and the archives at http://lists.suse.com
Some of the UPS daemons can run in master mode when connected via
serial line to the UPS and slave mode when networked with the master
host.
Jeffrey
Quoting Joseph Hobbs
Actually, another question for you all.
I've currently got 4 boxes running off my 1100VA box. Once I get everything up and running (have to rebuild one of my Linux boxes), I'm going to connect the UPS to it.
I am hoping to configure that box so that it knows when the UPS gets a critical alarm (5 min left or whatever). However, since that box is the only one that knows power is going, the other 3 boxes aren't. I was thinking writing some sort of "shutdown" script, and having my Linux box Remote Shell to the other 3 and init them.
Of course, this means that when power is restored, my Linux boxes will boot (they are set to boot when power is applied), but my Sun boxes wont. This is acceptable, because my Sun boxes are test boxes anyways.
I have an Opti-UPS and am happy with it. You may need to downlaod the software from the site (I bought mine before they supported Linux, so it may be different). The installation is smooth and the software works. You can control multiple machines with a single UPS and a network connection. On Sunday 10 February 2002 05:17, Praise wrote:
Hi all,
I have no experience with UPS, so here my questions are.
1) What kind of software should I use with the UPS? I want the PC to log when a power failure happen, and to turn off when the failure lasts too much. That software must work with serial port, as I do not have USB ports.
2) What is RS-232 connector? Is it common serial port?
3) How much sellers lie? I mean, I have seen some low cost UPS and sometimes they can resist longer than high cost UPS. I know that half load of a low cost one is much less than half load of a high cost one, but I do not find that information very trustful. So, guys and girls, how much does your UPS last?
4) What UPS do you have, and how is your life with it?
Praise
1) As everyone else said, every brand seems to have their own home-grown version. And most UPSes use the Serial Port by default. 2) RS232 is your serial port (this was also mentioned). 3) You have to remember, the seller's main mission is to "sell" their product. So naturally, they are going to play theirs up to be the greatest! Just check the specs, and compare the ratings (power out, surge current rating, etc). The packages can look pretty, but the numbers don't lie. I get decent time out of my UPS. In the past, I drained my 650VA and got close to 30min on 2 dualies (no Monitor). It really depends on what you are running. 4) When I buy a UPS, I stick to APC. I've used their boxes for a long time, and haven't had one fail me yet. I've worked in various data centers as well, and I always seem to find a bunch of APCs sitting in there as well! It's a great product (though expensive at times), and does an awesome job. I've currently got an APC 300VA, 650VA, and 1100VA. UPS boxes are mandatory in my book. Its sucks having to buy em, but you'll thank em the first time they save your arse! Heck, I just bought my 1100VA a week ago. On Saturday, I rebuilt my rack to incorporate the UPS. The next day I lost power for 3 minutes. Funny how it works I guess! Joseph Hobbs Compaq Web Services / GEAE Team Tier 2/3 Support | Team Lead Backup hobbsj@somecrazyfool.com Joseph.Hobbs@ae.ge.com -----Original Message----- From: Praise [mailto:praisetazio@tiscalinet.it] Sent: Sunday, February 10, 2002 5:18 AM To: suse-linux-e@suse.com Subject: [SLE] I am going to buy my first UPS Hi all, I have no experience with UPS, so here my questions are. 1) What kind of software should I use with the UPS? I want the PC to log when a power failure happen, and to turn off when the failure lasts too much. That software must work with serial port, as I do not have USB ports. 2) What is RS-232 connector? Is it common serial port? 3) How much sellers lie? I mean, I have seen some low cost UPS and sometimes they can resist longer than high cost UPS. I know that half load of a low cost one is much less than half load of a high cost one, but I do not find that information very trustful. So, guys and girls, how much does your UPS last? 4) What UPS do you have, and how is your life with it? Praise -- To unsubscribe send e-mail to suse-linux-e-unsubscribe@suse.com For additional commands send e-mail to suse-linux-e-help@suse.com Also check the FAQ at http://www.suse.com/support/faq and the archives at http://lists.suse.com
On Sunday 10 February 2002 15:57, Joseph wrote:
4) When I buy a UPS, I stick to APC. I've used their boxes for a long time, and haven't had one fail me yet.
I wonder if you might be able to recommend a model of APC that works well with SuSE and would be appropriate for home desktop use. Thanks. *************************************************** Powered by SuSE Linux 7.3 Professional KDE 2.2.1 KMail 1.3.1 This is a Microsoft-free computer Bryan S. Tyson bryantyson@earthlink.net ***************************************************
participants (6)
-
Bryan Tyson -
Jeffrey Taylor -
Joseph Hobbs -
Michael Nelson -
mike -
Praise