-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- Hash: SHA1 > Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1999 14:31:54 +1100 (EST) > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Dave Fitch) > Subject: [SLUG] UPSs again! some questions <<SNIPPED>> > A UPS that has the ability to shutdown my machines > automatically is essential (there's no point having a > UPS if it can't do that in my opinion). Here the Sola > looks good cos it seems to be well supported in linux > (and hopefully solaris too). APC fits this bill. Powerchute is a free download from their website at http://www.apcc.com > I'm thinking of running my sparc5 and a PC through it. > The PC is my "gateway" machine and has no monitor or > external devices. The modem, printer etc don't need to > run through the UPS. The sparc5 has a Sun 20" (or > thereabouts) monitor and external scsi cd. It's probably > not essential for the cd to run through the UPS but having > the monitor through there would be handy - most of the > time the monitor is in power-saving mode (ie. no video > with the green power light occasionally flashing). > > How much current/watts does a PC (P200) and a sparc5 draw? > I know the PC has a 250W power supply, but it wouldn't be > actually using all that would it? Not at all. You might possibly use 50% on boot-up, but after that, probably closer to 30%. > Next question is regarding those Centralion "backup power > supplies" Jaycar sell. They're cheaper at $399 for the 800VA > model (what does VA mean anyway?) VA is short for Volt/Amps, different to Watts that your computer is rated at. To convert between them, multiply Watts by 1.44 to obtain VA. > but the blurb mentions they're not true UPSs because whilst > the power is on it's not running through the UPS' batteries. > When the power fails it switches over to batteries. Unless you are planning on purchasing an 'online' UPS, this is what ALL UPS products do. A UPS unit can switch to batteries within 4ms while a computer generally requires a zero-power state for at least 8ms before it is affected, due to the internal capacitors in the power supply. > Does this mean it still does "line conditioning" - ie. filters > out surges, spikes? what about "brown outs"? it would have > to be a "proper" UPS to be able to supply the full power during > a brown out I would've thought? Line conditioning is a separate issue. Most UPS's handle this now, but a few of the cheaper ones don't. > There's also the question of automatic shutdown, support in > linux and solaris unknown (by me at least!). It just says > it's supplied with software for DOS, and lose-3.1/95/98. Go for APC, they have developed a free version of their shut-down software, Powerchute, especially for Linux. Customer demand has prompted this. > And lastly, do these type of UPSs do phone line protection > too? (to reduce the chance of my modem, cordless phone etc > dying) As above, most do but a few don't. If you do decide on an APC unit, make sure the upper and lower limit is set correctly for YOUR power conditions otherwise you will find that your unit changes to battery power too often. APC is far from the cheapest unit, but they have a slightly better product than most. Aussie -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: PGP 6.0.2 -- QDPGP 2.50 Comment: This message invalid without correct signature iQA+AwUBOFbPz5Zb9oayhFBBEQKEIQCgr5FKgte4upK8i8B1YTUqkwJeYf8AljZe 8udp+t3xvMTMlJREOuKw7u0= =Fet/ -----END PGP SIGNATURE----- Have you visited my homepage recently? You may be missing out on all the latest FREE Software, Themes, Screensavers and more! Visit now at http://come.fast.to/aussie -- SLUG - Sydney Linux Users Group Mailing List - http://www.slug.org.au To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with unsubscribe in the text
