A question regarding proper selection

[Anonymous user]

I recently had yet another power failure, of which we have a number, at home and BOTH current UPS systems failed. One ran for perhaps 30 seconds, the other not at all. They are 2 years or so old and both worked fine before.

I have a mostly Mac network and we recently expanded to consolidate switches, with an HP 1810G, and I am using a couple of routers on two subnets. We support 4 systems nominally and I want two of them on UPS along with the VoIP stuff, routers and switch. Also the NAS if possible.

I would like to install a single UPS for the above equipment.

The APC site recommends the Smart-UPS 1000 VA LCD, SMT1000.

I have a few questions that I cannot seem to find answers for and I wonder if someone who knows might tell me please either where on earth to look or what is the right way to go:

1) The guide says to plug equipment directly into the UPS. I cannot do this. The equipment is in the same room but at either end of it with the switch and routers in the middle. I can run solid core custom power cable or extension cords or any combination. Why is this a requirement and how can I resolve it?

2) I would dearly love to have network management so I can track this thing remotely as well as at home. Can I do this with a Mac site? What is the best software to accomplish this if it can be accomplished at all?

3) What is the distinction between the "Main outlet" and "Switched outlet" groups? I cannot see how that is configured. The SMT1000 appears to have 8 outlets and all are on the main switch. Are these 8 outlets configurable and, if so, how?

4) The SMT1000 appears to have an RJ45 connector and a slot for a network card. What is the difference between the two.

Thanks, I wish I could find these answers on-line or in the reference material, or FAQ. Is there some other documentation I am missing?

Lawrence

[BillP]

1) It recommends you plug things in directly because APC has no way of knowing if your extension cords, surge strips, etc. are failing and causing an issue when they get the angry call of "my UPS isn't working." Using unsupported methods of connecting your equipment can interfere with/void your EPP warranty. You can use APC PDUs, for example, to resolve this.

2) For remote management, check out the [AP9630|http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=AP9630] or [AP9631|http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=AP9631] (the latter has environmental monitoring as well). In that sense it doesn't matter what OS you're using as long as you have the internet & a browser, and you can take a look at the interfaces here: http://testdrive.apc.com/card.htm (choose one of the top 2 models)

3) In terms of outlet groups, page 9 (page 12 in PDF terms) in the manual explains the group features & settings. There is outlet group 1 and main outlet group, providing 2 different groups of 4 outlets. You can use the "Control" menu on the unit's LCD screen to configure the groups, or you can do so via the NMC if you get a card. That way you could control the groups remotely - for example, say some of the equipment on one group is hung or otherwise required rebooting. You could login to the card, issue one of the groups to reboot, and it will power cycle those 4 outlets. Or you can assign them a power on delay. Or a power off delay. Or utilize load shedding. That's all in the manual. It's important to note you can NOT control individual outlets, just 2 groups of 4 outlets. If you want to use them for this function, plan what plugs in where accordingly.

4) The RJ45 port is where you would connect the communication cable between a computer and the UPS for monitoring via the PowerChute Business Edition software (not compatible with Mac - see [compatibility chart|http://www.apcmedia.com/salestools/ASTE-6Z5QEV_R13_EN.pdf]). The network card does everything over the network and has its own IP address - it also has more advanced functionality.

[Anonymous user]

I recently had yet another power failure, of which we have a number, at home and BOTH current UPS systems failed. One ran for perhaps 30 seconds, the other not at all. They are 2 years or so old and both worked fine before.

I have a mostly Mac network and we recently expanded to consolidate switches, with an HP 1810G, and I am using a couple of routers on two subnets. We support 4 systems nominally and I want two of them on UPS along with the VoIP stuff, routers and switch. Also the NAS if possible.

I would like to install a single UPS for the above equipment.

The APC site recommends the Smart-UPS 1000 VA LCD, SMT1000.

I have a few questions that I cannot seem to find answers for and I wonder if someone who knows might tell me please either where on earth to look or what is the right way to go:

1) The guide says to plug equipment directly into the UPS. I cannot do this. The equipment is in the same room but at either end of it with the switch and routers in the middle. I can run solid core custom power cable or extension cords or any combination. Why is this a requirement and how can I resolve it?

2) I would dearly love to have network management so I can track this thing remotely as well as at home. Can I do this with a Mac site? What is the best software to accomplish this if it can be accomplished at all?

3) What is the distinction between the "Main outlet" and "Switched outlet" groups? I cannot see how that is configured. The SMT1000 appears to have 8 outlets and all are on the main switch. Are these 8 outlets configurable and, if so, how?

4) The SMT1000 appears to have an RJ45 connector and a slot for a network card. What is the difference between the two.

Thanks, I wish I could find these answers on-line or in the reference material, or FAQ. Is there some other documentation I am missing?

Lawrence

[Anonymous user · Accepted solution]

Thank you, that is very helpful. I think the NMC 9630 will do very well and I can see I need to figure out how best to use the port management capabilities, it looks like a very capable device. It certainly provides me with a significant enhancement in capability and I very much like the idea of receiving remote status. My router send me email on a daily basis and all the equipment, except the UPSs, are accessible for status via the network.

I fear I cannot use PDUs as none of this is rack mounted. I have good quality surge protectors on the current UPS lines and on regular power, equipment is shared amongst them as necessary. By consolidating my failing existing UPS devices, which being small are located next to the computers they support, I shall need to run power lines specific to our two main computers which connect them to the UPS. The routers, VoIP and switch will need to run off one of the surge protectors which in turn will run off the UPS. I hope this does not void the warranty but there is no other way to handle it.

Again, thanks for your help, much appreciated.

Lawrence

Edit: Thanks KVar, I shall see what Home Depot has to offer if I can ever get out of the house - we are in the middle of the second massive storm and things are bleak indeed. At least we have power so far this time, touch wood. The first storm over the weekend took power from Saturday morning until late Monday. Joy!

Message was edited by: lawrencehare