Server UPS Recommendations
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We currently are switching to EATON UPSes here. I really like them. They're easy to get into the racks and they don't weigh 5 tons.
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Personally I'd say for for 240v instead of 120v if you can. 240v will use less amperage for the same energy. If it requires a whole new circuit run and you don't plan on buying any more than one server it's not worth it though.
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@MattSpeller said:
@scottalanmiller said:
Our UPS units from the 90s are generally still fine.
Providing you load test them once a year (or more!) I can't see anything wrong with that. Also stuff was built better in the 90's than you see today, YMMV with newer gear.
I'd get a Always Online UPS for servers if it were me. You are always load testing then. It will fail over to line power if needed on most but you'll hear plenty of alarms going off and hopefully get emails about it too.
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@BRRABill said:
Well, I'm not sure what new features I would need.
I have two of them, and they both need new batteries. So I am going to be spending, just trying to decide the best place to spend.
I would seriously take this time to go get a pair of Eatons. We had them in for a Spicecorp a while back and the gear is really solid and the monitoring is awesome.
http://www.eaton.com/Eaton/ProductsServices/Electrical/ProductsandServices/UPS/
Edit: This is the best UPS gear for the price and features. All around solid gear. I am seriously looking forward to needing to replace gear so I can get some in to use.
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@Jason said:
I'd get a Always Online UPS for servers if it were me. You are always load testing then. It will fail over to line power if needed on most but you'll hear plenty of alarms going off and hopefully get emails about it too.
That's not really how that works, but I agree it's a better design than previous ones. You still want to do a full "real McCoy" load test every year as part of your DR testing plans.
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@JaredBusch said:
@BRRABill said:
Well, I'm not sure what new features I would need.
I have two of them, and they both need new batteries. So I am going to be spending, just trying to decide the best place to spend.
I would seriously take this time to go get a pair of Eatons. We had them in for a Spicecorp a while back and the gear is really solid and the monitoring is awesome.
http://www.eaton.com/Eaton/ProductsServices/Electrical/ProductsandServices/UPS/
Edit: This is the best UPS gear for the price and features. All around solid gear. I am seriously looking forward to needing to replace gear so I can get some in to use.
We use Eatons as well. I have to say they surpassed my expectations considering their price (affordable!)
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@MattSpeller said:
@Jason said:
I'd get a Always Online UPS for servers if it were me. You are always load testing then. It will fail over to line power if needed on most but you'll hear plenty of alarms going off and hopefully get emails about it too.
That's not really how that works, but I agree it's a better design than previous ones. You still want to do a full "real McCoy" load test every year as part of your DR testing plans.
Ours the load has to be disconnected to do a load test. It connects the load straight to the mains/Automatic transfer switches when testing.
I think our facilities staff does it quarterly.
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@Jason said:
Ours the load has to be disconnected to do a load test. It connects the load straight to the mains/Automatic transfer switches when testing.
I'm a bit more old school - I flip breakers
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@MattSpeller said:
@Jason said:
Ours the load has to be disconnected to do a load test. It connects the load straight to the mains/Automatic transfer switches when testing.
I'm a bit more old school - I flip breakers
The breakers are after the UPS here. No idea if/where the main disconnect is for the UPS itself. I'm sure there is one but all that's left to the facilities staff.
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@Jason said:
@MattSpeller said:
@Jason said:
Ours the load has to be disconnected to do a load test. It connects the load straight to the mains/Automatic transfer switches when testing.
I'm a bit more old school - I flip breakers
The breakers are after the UPS here. No idea if/where the main disconnect is for the UPS itself. I'm sure there is one but all that's left to the facilities staff.
There will absolutely be one between the UPS and the telephone pole - for a proper test I highly recommend flipping it. Sometimes you find little surprises that would completely screw you. Also you learn how long your UPS actually lasts and you can test your graceful shutdown setup.
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@MattSpeller said:
There will absolutely be one between the UPS and the telephone pole - for a proper test I highly recommend flipping it. Sometimes you find little surprises that would completely screw you. Also you learn how long your UPS actually lasts and you can test your graceful shutdown setup.
We don't touch that kind of stuff. Yes I know there is a three phase main breaker for it somewhere but we don't mess with the UPS, Breaks or anything. It's not IT. it all gets tested by Facilities. IT would get fired for messing with electrical stuff.
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@MattSpeller said:
Also you learn how long your UPS actually lasts and you can test your graceful shutdown setup.
We don't worry about the Graceful shutdowns too much. We have multiple three phase feeds from two different utilities. two Generators and two UPS systems.
We can run forever (as long as there is natural gas lines still working) on generators. and up to 48hrs on UPS power.
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Was there ever a comment/decision on whether to run both power supplies into 1 UPS, 2 UPSes, or 1 UPS and a regular surge protector?
In my location there is just the one circuit. I have no other options.
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@BRRABill ideally you split the power supplies across 2 UPS so a ups failure doesn't take your stuff out.
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@BRRABill said:
Was there ever a comment/decision on whether to run both power supplies into 1 UPS, 2 UPSes, or 1 UPS and a regular surge protector?
In my location there is just the one circuit. I have no other options.
Yes, there was never any question or grey area there. Each PSU goes to an separate UPS.
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Another question...
I'm assuming it is going to be based on run time, but it seems like UPS manufacturers always seem to want to sell me something that seems to be 10x more than I need.
For a 495W power supply, what kind of UPS would you be thinking about?
Also, would you go "server grade" or just go with a nice desktop unit.
I'm talking specifically about my (2) 495W power supple DELL T320, but I'm just asking in general.
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Do you have iDrac enterprise on that server? If so, it will show you what your actual wattage is being pulled on your powersupply. That may help you better find a UPS to fit your needs.
On one of my servers I've only peaked to 260W of my dual 750W Power Supplies.
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No, but I do have a Kill-A-Watt.
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I would consider upgrading to iDrac Enterprise for any server. Especially when you have them a single servers and at client sites.
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@BRRABill said:
I'm assuming it is going to be based on run time, but it seems like UPS manufacturers always seem to want to sell me something that seems to be 10x more than I need.
That's their job
For a 495W power supply, what kind of UPS would you be thinking about?
Minimum 1000va for the cost / runtime / quality points to all meet up IMHO. YMMV. You need to do your homework with manglement and make sure you have enough runtime to satisfy the business needs, then add some for growth and battery life dropping off over time. Don't forget to budget for battery replacements every 3 years.
Also, would you go "server grade" or just go with a nice desktop unit.
I'd go with what you can afford that meets your run time requirements (plus ~20% for battery performance drop off) from a reputable manufacturer!
Keep in mind that a good quality UPS with nice features is worth it. Having a small software app and a USB or network connection so the UPS can shutdown your server is a minimum requirement for me. Highly recommend.
I'm talking specifically about my (2) 495W power supple DELL T320, but I'm just asking in general.
I'd suggest the below but there are lots of them out there.
http://powerquality.eaton.com/Products-services/Backup-Power-UPS/5S.aspx?cx=3
