Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


Incindre

117 posts

Master Geek


#112784 20-Dec-2012 10:50
Send private message

Heya Geeks

I own a file server running Ubuntu Server 12.04 and am looking to get a UPS for it.
APC seems like the best brand but I could be swayed by an Eaton. It needs to be USB capeable and preferably have a pure sine wave output.
As far as functionality goes I require it to shutdown the server through USB when the battery runs down to a certain point and then restart the machine when AC power is resumed.

I will only be running the server and the modem/router off this UPS and therefore a 750W model should be more than adequate.

The problem is that the new APC Smart-UPS models use a proprietry connection technology (the SMX/SMT lines) which do not work with Ubuntu's APCUPSD Daemon.

That writes a lot of the new and less expensive APC UPS's out of the equation.
I'm looking at this older model rack mounted UPS from APC, but it's awful lot of money!

Can anyone recomend a quality UPS of any brand that will do what I've specified above?

Cheers,
~Incindre

Create new topic
ubergeeknz
3344 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted
Vocus

  #735359 20-Dec-2012 10:56
Send private message

See if you can find one 2nd hand... provided the batteries are replaced when they need it, the older APC units were pretty bulletproof



Zeon
3916 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #735361 20-Dec-2012 10:56
Send private message

Perhaps look at an older reconditioned UPS? I have got them before from Public Technology. Less than $1,000NZD for a 2.5kVA with brand new batteries.




Speedtest 2019-10-14


meesham
973 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #735371 20-Dec-2012 11:17
Send private message

The software that comes with the Eatons work fine in Ubuntu, it can do network alerts to other computers telling them to shut down as well - I have my Linux server and Windows workstation running off the UPS with the USB cable plugged into the Linux box. I've also had success getting it talking to Nut.



Incindre

117 posts

Master Geek


  #735923 21-Dec-2012 10:42
Send private message

meesham: The software that comes with the Eatons work fine in Ubuntu, it can do network alerts to other computers telling them to shut down as well - I have my Linux server and Windows workstation running off the UPS with the USB cable plugged into the Linux box. I've also had success getting it talking to Nut.


Can you recommend a specific Eaton Model? And what's the software like? Basically I just want an autostart Daemon to do all everything without any input from me, does that mean I'm looking at NUT and just ignoring the packaged software? (server is headless)

PIERCD
58 posts

Master Geek


  #735927 21-Dec-2012 10:48
Send private message

Full Disclosure, I work for the NZ Eaton Distributor.

We sell a lot of the Eaton 3S models for Entry Level *nix installations, and even more for NAS solutions.  The 700VA model is capable of most small servers.

But I would recommend looking at an Ellipse Eco or Evolution model for a bigger UPS with a much better runtime.

The 3S and Ellipse Eco are both standy UPS's with a modified sinewave output on battery, where as the Evolution is a Line Interactive UPS with a pure sinewave output on battery.

Also please note, Eaton is a big supporter of the NUT project, and provide full manufacturer support to the driver devs along with hosting support.



meesham
973 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #735930 21-Dec-2012 10:51
Send private message

Incindre: 
Can you recommend a specific Eaton Model? And what's the software like? Basically I just want an autostart Daemon to do all everything without any input from me, does that mean I'm looking at NUT and just ignoring the packaged software? (server is headless)


I have the Eaton 5110 1500VA model (http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=340613), I've had no problems with it but it is a budget model, it doesn't have features like seeing how much time you have left on battery and turning off the beeping noise (one day I'll disconnect the speaker). I work from home so I just have my server and workstation plugged into it and have them auto shutdown after 5 minutes of power loss - I'm in eastern Christchurch so it's been very useful over the past couple of years.

The software is pretty good, it's called "Intelligent Power Protector" (http://pqsoftware.eaton.com/explore/eng/ipp/default.htm?lang=en) it runs it's own webserver for you to manage it (my server is headless as well).

Incindre

117 posts

Master Geek


  #735980 21-Dec-2012 12:07
Send private message

Looks like it'll be an Eaton for me!
Can someone just confirm for me some things about NUT and Intelligent Power Protector?
If NUT is the Daemon which communicates with the UPS correct, does IPP negate the need for NUT or do they do seperate things?

 
 
 

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.
meesham
973 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #735982 21-Dec-2012 12:10
Send private message

Incindre: Looks like it'll be an Eaton for me!
Can someone just confirm for me some things about NUT and Intelligent Power Protector?
If NUT is the Daemon which communicates with the UPS correct, does IPP negate the need for NUT or do they do seperate things?


They both do the same thing, IPP negates the need for Nut. The advantages of Nut are that it's not UPS model specific and you have a bit more control over the workflow during shutdown, but then you'll also need to spend the time tweaking it.

Incindre

117 posts

Master Geek


  #735995 21-Dec-2012 12:42
Send private message

Thanks for that Meesham, It sounds like IPP will be the pick of the two.

I've decided on the Evolution model PIERCD (because it's line interactive) and think that THIS will be the one that I buy.
600watts should be enough to handle a server with a 550W PSU (which only utilizes a fraction of that capacity) and a single modem-router (but do let me know if I've made a misjudgement!).

As no-one has them in stock I'll see if I can order one in.

One last question: As the Modem-Router has a standard wall-plug adapter, how to I connect it to the UPS (which uses computer power cable sockets)?

PIERCD
58 posts

Master Geek


  #735996 21-Dec-2012 12:47
Send private message

That is the best pick to be honest, the 850 has a reasonable battery (the model below it is a bit light weight).

PM me your details, I may be able to point you in the direction of a reseller who has it in stock for you.

meesham
973 posts

Ultimate Geek


  #735997 21-Dec-2012 12:48
Send private message

You might want to use this to calculate what size UPS you'll need: http://www.apc.com/tools/ups_selector/

The 5110 has standard NZ sockets instead of the C13/14 connectors so I can't help you there unfortunately.

PIERCD
58 posts

Master Geek


  #735999 21-Dec-2012 12:50
Send private message


One last question: As the Modem-Router has a standard wall-plug adapter, how to I connect it to the UPS (which uses computer power cable sockets)?


You can get nice little 300mm long adaptors which convert IEC to NZ/AU 3-Pin and they are in-expensive, can probably organise one to magically appear in the box for you even :)

Incindre

117 posts

Master Geek


  #740214 4-Jan-2013 17:54
Send private message

Well, I just picked up my Eaton Evolution 850VA UPS from PIERCD today, plugged it in and it's working perfectly! Only 10% power draw with Router and Server plugged in.
Configuring Intelligent Power Protector was really easy, it looks and works great.

All I need to do is suss out a few things in the software.
Such as, whether or not setting the "Shutdown Duration" value means that the UPS will keep the server running until the battery only has enough juice left to power it for the Shutdown Duration, then sends the power off signal.

And: How to set up the Email Alert to use Gmail.

So far, I can heartily recommend Eaton UPS's!

Create new topic





News and reviews »

Air New Zealand Starts AI adoption with OpenAI
Posted 24-Jul-2025 16:00


eero Pro 7 Review
Posted 23-Jul-2025 12:07


BeeStation Plus Review
Posted 21-Jul-2025 14:21


eero Unveils New Wi-Fi 7 Products in New Zealand
Posted 21-Jul-2025 00:01


WiZ Introduces HDMI Sync Box and other Light Devices
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:32


RedShield Enhances DDoS and Bot Attack Protection
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:26


Seagate Ships 30TB Drives
Posted 17-Jul-2025 11:24


Oclean AirPump A10 Water Flosser Review
Posted 13-Jul-2025 11:05


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Raising the Bar for Smartphones
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Brings New Edge-To-Edge FlexWindow
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Epson Launches New AM-C550Z WorkForce Enterprise printer
Posted 9-Jul-2025 18:22


Samsung Releases Smart Monitor M9
Posted 9-Jul-2025 17:46


Nearly Half of Older Kiwis Still Write their Passwords on Paper
Posted 9-Jul-2025 08:42


D-Link 4G+ Cat6 Wi-Fi 6 DWR-933M Mobile Hotspot Review
Posted 1-Jul-2025 11:34


Oppo A5 Series Launches With New Levels of Durability
Posted 30-Jun-2025 10:15









Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.