Home Forums Discussions General Discussion Battery Backup / UPS recommendations

Now that I have a server and network switch in my office, any recommendations on a battery back up/ UPS device?

I will have attached to it my:

[*] Windows 2003 Server

[*] Network switch (for 5 clients)

[*] And a client computer with monitor

Thanks!

APC all the way. You can get a decent one to pull that load for only a few hundred - if that.

JamesNT

Thanks but which one?

What kind of server do you have? I'll need the make and model.

JamesNT

Well, just when I PMd James and told him we think alike, I have to go with Cyberpower.

And, I would also say that for the server, the more you can get the better -- to a degree.

If you really want to be set, you can buy a couple of extras and keep them charged. If you come in with no power and your UPS are drained, you have one for the server and another for one of your PCs so you can get to what you need at least temporarily. You could do it with just the server, but I hate working directly on the server.

Also consider covering your router/firewall and modem. You can easily get one UPS backup for all three.

Get one for your point of care equipment too. Get one for your phone system. I have APC UPS's scattered all over my office. Tip: put a sticker on the front of each with the installation date and when battery last changed. The batteries last 3-5 years. Remember it's not just about protecting against power outages, but surges and brownouts. The one for your server will be more expensive, but for the other equipment will likely be less than $100. APC has so many models- very confusing.

The reason I was asking what kind of server, make and model, I was going to look up its power requirements. That, and how many minutes you want the UPS to keep the machine alive before shutting it down during a power failure will determine what kind of APC to get.

Cyberpower is also a good choice. I don't use them but I've heard good things about them.

Bert is also quite correct. Consider covering other equipment as well. Remember, that stuff costs money, too.

JamesNT

@Ken,

Good advice on the stickers and the point of care. Is the point of care different than where he said computers and monitors?

James, I have a Dell Precision Workstation 670

Yes, I meant like point of care lab equipment like cholesterol monitors, urinalysis machines, etc. I had power go off for 2 seconds once and inactivate several $10 lab test cartridges (in addition to having to fingerstick the patient again.)

Gotcha. Thanks.

One thing that is frustrating is some times the second it takes for the UPS to kick in is enough for the server to reboot.

My experience is when I had multiple small UPS's , A) I consistently undersized them, giving me only a couple of minutes to respond with a power failure, and B) I regularly forgot to change the batteries on schedule, so one or more did not work when needed. When I moved my office, I put in a server room, and a BIG backup UPS with a pure sine wave inverter designed for solar systems, and a big battery bank to run all the computers in the office on a dedicated uninterruptable line. It cost about 1/3 of what a similar APC system costs, but took more Geeky interest, research and cooperation with the electrician. The end result, however, is that all computers in the office can run for over 2 hrs with a power failure, there is instant changeover (within 1/2 Hz), and only one battery bank to maintain. As I said it is definitely a Geek system, but saves a lot of anguish.

I have a lot of different ones.

Cyberpowers seem to burn out. Perhaps they take the hit and don't recover, I have had several fail to work after a year or so. Not easily replaceable batteries and didn't keep up with the receipt to take back. I can still use the non battery sections so I move them to less important equipment for surge protection. I like the software with the cyberpowers better than any of the others.

APCs seem to last forever and have replaceable batteries for the most part. No real software, works with windows. Costs more but the replaceability makes up for that.

Couple of off brands that seemed to have died. I will stick with those two.

Figure out how much energy you need to protect. Routers and such take tiny amounts and can usually be put on the same line as a server or another computer. Exclude printers, especially laser printers, they are energy hogs. I do not have my screens on backup. This is more from the days of CRTs, the newer LCD and LEDs do not take that much energy. They seem to be fairly fault tolerant though. 500 should handle a modest server. 350 for a basic computer. 1000 will handle most, maybe even 2. Cost is roughly divided by 8 to 10.

I apologize Wendell. I seem to disagree with your posts. Again, just from our own experiences I guess.

From my personal experience:

Number of APC backups that fail. Nearly 90%

Number of Cyberpowers. None.

I've been using several APC Smart UPS 700. They work well for me. Batteries needs to be changed every 2-3 years. New batteries are about $50 on Ebay.

What do you have attached to it?

Basically I am looking for a device that will safely shut down my server in case of power outage

1. Main computer Dell studio XPS 9100
2. Receptionist desktop Dell Vostro 400
3. Router, Mirra backup server and network switch.

I use wired laptops in my exam rooms so I don't need battery backup there. In this setup ACP provides about 30 min emergency power, just enough to finish work, backup and go home to enjoy power outage day.

I have never had to change a battery in a Cyberpower. Just think you should give it a look.

Does it have software to shutdown automatically? I'm really looking for a device that will safely turn off my server on its own when power goes out, which usually occurs when nobody is at the office.

Yes.

Which one do you have?

I use the AVR1500 for the server. And, then AVR900 for the clients. I then use the 1500 for the switches, routers and modems. I keep two AVR900s charged all the time.

Bert,

How long does the battery last when in it kicks in? Does it shutdown safely with the software?

Doing a test now.

Bert,

I think saying "I have never had to change a battery in a Cyberpower" is just the same as as saying you have never had to change a battery in your car. If you get a good one, you can probably get 3-4 years out of it, but in a cold climate you are for sure going to come out to a dead car some day beyond that. I am pretty sure all UPS supplies use similar battery suppliers. Just like your colonoscopy, you can put it off until age 65 if you want, but you take your chances by delaying preventive maintenance.

Did I set off a malfunction??

@Dr Niko,

No I am using a computer on an AVR900 to see how long it lasts.

@David,

You misunderstood me. I don't mean I don't change them, although I don't often. I test them weekly. I am rather safe, but I don't find them crucial. I would never run a computer without one, but I am not that worried about each computer except for the server.

Now with APC, I never had to worry about changing them. They just broke or died or whatever except worked. I am sure everyone will say they have not had that experience. I am just saying that is mine, and what I am mainly saying is that I have NEVER had one issue with a Cyberpower. We all like our different brands: Brother vs Xerox, Dell vs HP. For me APC vs Cyberpower isn't even close.

Just sayin'

So, a real time test while reading email and performing various other tasks, the computer and monitor ran for 110 minutes, shut down programs, turned off the monitor, and put the computer in hibernation until all power was off.

Hi Bert,

How are you testing? A while ago Sandeep indicated that he did not think unplugging the UPS was a good idea.

http://amazingcharts.com/ub/ubbthre...e/Re_Strange_problem_yesterday#Post33996

Thanks. Gene

How else are you going to test it? At the circuit breaker in the basement? I couldn't quite wait for a power outage.

Hey Bert, you're not answering to me, you're answering to Sandeep!!

Gene

Yeah, I didn't really buy into his master electrician/electrical physics theory.

But, that's the scoop. Nearly two hours with its being used (some) with no issues closing down programs.

Periodically I "safe" all the computers, and pull the circuit breaker. I want the test to mimic a real life failure.