RE: [Sheflug] UPS Recommendations?

[(Ted Harding) <xxxxx [at] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Neil,

On 19-Apr-02 Neil R Porter wrote:
> Hi All
> 
> I run a server from home and the inevitable happened the other night,
> yep, power down.  It was horrible to think that not only was I offline,
> but that the server had been 'shut down' so horribly.  Luckily it is
> back up.
> 
> I have absolutely no experience or knowledge of UPSs, but can no longer
> put off getting one.  The reason I ask you guys for advice is that I'd
> like one that is known to work with Linux in the sense of being able to
> shut it down automatically if power doesn't return.
> 
> Any recommendations will be gratefully received.  I'm no millionaire,
> but money is not a primary factor (although the cheaper the better
> obviously!).

I had to face the same problem a year ago (out in the sticks
where the overhead lines give brief power-outs a few times
a week; wind-storms bring down trees on them from time to time;
and once the underground cable got ploughed up ... ).

I got a Belkin "Pro Gold" 625VA UPS off the shelf at
PC World (130 quid). The enclosed CD only contains
software for Windows, but I was able to download
Linux software, and a "UNIX" manual, from their Web site:
see under "Drivers and Manuals" at

  http://www.belkin.co.uk

You can get RS232 or USB versions: the UPS uses this
to communicate impending shutdown to the computer,
and initiates shutdown if the outage lasts more than a
few minutes. This has always worked as it should.
The UPS batteries can keep a couple of computers going
for up to 20 minutes.

The UPS also keeps a minute-by-minute log of things like
input and output voltage and load (input voltage
especially useful for keeping an eye on whether your
electricity supplier keeps line voltage between
guaranteed limits -- mine doesn't ... ).

There are also protected channels for phone/fax line
and network, so you can safeguard these against frying
too.

I don't know at all if this kit is the best in the world,
but anyway I'm quite satisfied with it. I run 2 computers,
a TFT monitor, and a portable radio off it, so can
keeep going without problems during relatively short
power cuts.

(I don't recommend plugging a laser printer into it though:
the load as the warm-up cuts in will trigger the overload
cutout on the UPS!).

I hope this helps.
Ted.

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E-Mail: (Ted Harding) <Ted.Harding [at] nessie.mcc.ac.uk>
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Date: 19-Apr-02                                       Time: 12:07:13
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