Should I buy the SUA2200XL-NETPKG or SMX2200RMLV2U and network adapter

[Anonymous user]

My goal is to protect 3 servers with one UPS. I read in [this forum post|http://forums.apc.com/spaces/5/smart-ups-symmetra-lx-rm/forums/general/1865/lost-communication-with-...] that there are two approaches to monitoring multiple servers from one ups: either add more serial ports to the UPS, or a network card. I would like to use the network option, and i'm a bit confused about which UPS to buy.

Does the SUA2200XL-NETPKG come with everything I need to protect 3+ servers? Would I get any additional features by going with the SMX2200RMLV2U and adding a SmartSlot network adapter?

If it helps, the servers are averaging about 550W total under normal load, but my company is growing fast and I believe that this load could rise substantially in the next 2 years. If that happens, I want a UPS that supports additional external batteries, which would allow me to maintain run times as the load grows.

Thanks,
Matt

Message was edited by: mweeks

[BillP]

SUA2200XL is going to be discontinued soon and SMX2200 is going to be taking its place. SMX2200 is a more modern UPS that utilizes the microlink protocol. SMX has a nifty LCD as well.

for what you want to do via the network method, both units will work with an AP9630 or AP9631 network management card though since they are both compatible. i guess it just depends if you want the latest and greatest UPS model since both support the latest and greatest network card model and multiple server shutdown.

[Anonymous user]

I just got off the phone with APC sales and they said that the SMX2200RMLV2U is out of stock, and backordered until August. The sales agent also contacted resellers and could not find one available. Unfortunately, I need a new UPS right now, because my existing one has failed completely.

What is the microlink protocol and which features does is bring to the UPS? Is it proprietary to APC?

The SUA2200XL-NETPKG is in stock, so I might have to buy the older one out of necessity.

Thanks,E

[Anonymous user]

Hi Matt,

I hope this link gives you an idea about Microlink.

Thank you for using APC Discussion Forum. Have a good one!

[BillP]

we will have support for SUA2200XL so there wont be a problem there - i guess i did not realize they were backordered 😞

so yes, microlink is the internal communication protocol for the UPS. the article that judy posted will help you out. but, for using the network management cards to gracefully shutdown the network management card with powerchute network shutdown, everything works the same between SUA2200XL and SMX2200. i would go ahead and get the SUA2200XL if you need a UPS immediately and can do without the fancy LCD.

[Anonymous user]

I read in [this article|http://nam-en.apc.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/10816/kw/Microlink%20FAQS/related/1] that the new models offered power savings as well as the shiny new LCD. Are there any other significant internal hardware improvements?

Thanks for all the support thus far 🙂

[BillP]

yes, i think that they are more efficient and i also think that incase of failure, there are preventive measures in place internally to prevent a dropped load. i think both UPSs have some type of that but i think it is a different design in the SMX units. i used to support the Smart UPS more so than i do now but i can find out more tomorrow if you want. my focus now is more network management cards, rack pdus and those types of things.

outlet groups with load shedding is another feature the SMX units have that the SUA units dont and the battery packs that the SMX units have are intelligent meaning you just plug them in and the UPS detects them. on the SUA unit you have to program them in manually either via the NMC by typing the quantity in or via some other type of software. hmm what else..SUA units are compatible with some of our currently existing smart slot accessories besides the network management cards if you needed those but SMX units arent as of today besides a few like the Network Management Card and AP9620 that was in one of those knowledgebases. don't think that matters for what you wanted though.

SMX units allow you to do all the CO2 calculations and stuff within the network management card where as SUA units don't support that.

i guess the biggest issue that i can stress is that the SMX units are what is being currently developed on firmware wise and its firmware upgradable. SUA2200XL is a solid unit but it is being replaced. it will certainly get the job done and be supported hardware wise but just does not have those bells and whistles i mentioned.

let me know if there are any points you'd like me to elaborate on for you.

[Anonymous user]

Of course there are more questions 😄

bq. "outlet groups with load shedding is another feature the SMX units have \\ that the SUA units dont and the battery packs that the SMX units have \\ are intelligent meaning you just plug them in and the UPS detects them. \\ on the SUA unit you have to program them in manually either via the NMC \\ by typing the quantity in or via some other type of software."
What is load shedding on the outlet groups? I'm also curious about the smart battery packs. Are you talking about the internal batteries or the external battery packs like SMX120RMBP2U or SUA48XLBP.
My experience to this point has been with consumer grade Back-UPSs, which have batteries connected by two wires (pretty dumb technology but it works).

More importantly, are the SUA48XLBP supplemental batteries being discontinued as well? Are the SMX120RMBP2U batteries backwards compatible with the SUA model? I chose an extended run product because I want this UPS to be flexible enough to meet our business demands for a few years, and the ability to tack on some extra batteries played a large role in this plan.

Thanks,E

[BillP]

i attached the applicable app note since i couldnt get it to link from the apc.com website for some reason. that should cover the abilities of the outlet groups and the load shedding.

the battery packs for SMT/SMX and SUA are not forward or reverse compatible or interchangeable unfortunately 😞 when i say battery packs, i am talking external battery packs like the SMX120RMBP2U or SUA48XLBP that you mentioned.

some more information that I found for you:

we typically sell the complete battery pack, e.g., SUA48RMXLBP3U or SMX120RMBP2U for 1 to 2 years after the UPS is EOL, removed from the market. And the RBCs for both UPS and External Battery Pack are continued for 10 years after EOL of the UPS and Battery Pack.

also:

i wanted you to know if you are currently looking at SUA2200XL-NETPKG, that is not technically end of life yet... it is a short depth, wide tower form factor. you can definitely use SMX instead, but SMX2200RMLV2U has L5-30P input whereas SUA2200XL-NETPKG has a 5-20P. The correct SMX SKU with the same input is SMX2000RMLV2U, which is now available with the NC suffix, so it is the replacement for SUA2200R3XLNETPKG and can replace SUA2200XL-NETPKG. If you 'want' a NEMA L5-30P input, you can order SMX2200RMLV2U, but would need to order the NMC in addition, which is AP9630 or AP9631.

SMX that have the NMC preinstalled are SMX2000RMLV2UNC 5-20P input and SMX3000RMLV2UNC L5-30P input. One other item to look at is how many outlets you require... SMX RM2U have only seven total outlets compared to SUA2200XL-NETPKG and the former RMXL3U having 11 total outlets. SMX2000RMLV2U/NC have a locking L5-20R for external PDU if needed.

SUA2200XL-NETPKG will still be an active SKU through mid year next year... but I would say SMX is nicer due to the high frequency platform... if you don't mind a tall skinny tower with fewer outlets

anyway.. but I suspect the correct SMX for you... SMX2000RMLV2U is NOT on backorder... if you had ordered SMX2200RMLV2U he would have gotten a surprise with the input being L5-30P (2000 vs 2200VA).

hope this helps 😄

[Anonymous user]

Wow! I did not even notice the plug change from the 2200VA SUA to SMX series. Good call sir B-)

I would have indeed be upset (mostly at myself) when the new unit arrived, and then promptly called an electrician. I was already starting to lean towards the 2000VA model as my need is great, but I don't want to get old-ish hardware, and your help sealed the deal.

My new 2000VA unit arrived and is installed. Now I'v just got to figure out the settings for a graceful shutdown.

Thanks
Matt

[BillP · Accepted solution]

sir = miss O:-)

you're welcome..let us know if you need anything else.