Best UPS for Ubuntu Server

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Incindre

117 posts

Master Geek

#112784 20-Dec-2012 10:50

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

ubergeeknz

3344 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Vocus

#735359 20-Dec-2012 10:56

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

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.

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meesham

973 posts

Ultimate Geek

#735371 20-Dec-2012 11:17

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

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

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

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

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?

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meesham

973 posts

Ultimate Geek

#735982 21-Dec-2012 12:10

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

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

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

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

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

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!