I would like to have my unraid server on some type of APC UPS. I've never bought a UPS, so I'm not sure of the specs that are key to keep in mind. The unraid server I am building has a 600w power supply and will have three 2TB drives. Does anyone have a UPS they have used with apcupsd and have had good experiences with?

 

Also, as a side question, is it possible to have one UPS, and plug both my unraid server as well as my main desktop into, and have it gracefully shutdown both if needed? My main concern is the unraid, but the desktop has crossed my mind as well.

  Multiple questions, and answers... some leading to additional questions...  :-(

 

  Note that these are OPINIONS, and your needs may not match up with what I use a UPS for...  :-)

 

  1st, for my applications, I try to ride out power outages as long as possible before making a decision to shut down the computers.  so I go for long run-time on battery and usually buy larger UPSes for that purpose.  It also means that I can easily connect 2 or more computers to a single UPS.  :-)  A higher rated (VA / WATTS) UPS not only will often come with larger batteries for additional run-time, but also is of course able to run a larger load, or multiple loads.  PLUS gives a larger safety load factor for de-rating purposes since the stable load capability will also typically drop as temperature rises.  If the UPS is old and dusty, or does not have adequate ventilation, a small UPS will more likely over-heat and shut down on power outages before the battery is low enough to cause a shut down event...  [i]So my answer here is, buy BIG - higher VA / watt ratings - and look for the extended run-time models...  [/i]

 

  2nd, for an APC UPS, I would highly suggest looking at the more expensive SMART-UPS line instead of the lower BACK-UPS product line.  The SMART-UPS line has in the past had better features, and more communications and expansion options that the BACK-UPS line which is targeted at consumers and single computer use as a basic back-up-power supply option.  The biggest feature that was lacking in the BACK-UPS line was a feature sometimes known as LINE REACTIVE, meaning that the UPS has the ability to adjust output voltage to normal with power dips (brownouts), and spikes (excessive input voltage), WITHOUT switching to battery operation!  This is important, so that when the power DOES go off, the battery is still fully charged and ready to power things, instead of already being run-down by repeatedly switching to battery when the input line voltage was 'out of normal operating range'.  This feature is also now included in at least some of the 'NEWER' BACK-UPS models.  So, here I would say look for higher end models, and features.  Avoid lower end models if they DO NOT have the features you need/may want to use in the future.  Specifically

 

  3.  Yes there are ways to shutdown multiple computers from a UPS power loss/battery low alarm...  but many options, may not work for you...  a combination of preference and cost will come into play here... so, following are some things to read about, to help you learn and decide what may be best for you.  As well as more questions you will need answers to before making a final decision for multiple computer use...

 

  For APC UPSes and the ability to shutdown multiple computers on power outage... there are a few options, not sure of the best use and shutdown options via UPS communication in unRAID though... sorry.  You could use scripting on a main computer, that then would in turn shutdown the unRAID computer...

 

  Here are some links about the topic, not sure what would be the best again using multiple computers on a single UPS for shutdown in unRAID, or multiple unRAID boxes for that matter.  And there are always multiple ways to solve the problem.

 

http://forums.apc.com/thread/4152?start=0&tstart=0

 

http://www.msfn.org/board/topic/106944-ups-to-shutdown-two-computers/

 

  This opens up more questions than answers in my mind however... Does apcupsd support multiple options of UPS communications for the operation of power loss detection?  Specifically does it support;

 

1.  USB DATA communications of UPS status.

 

2.  Serial DATA communications of UPS status.

 

3.  Serial SIMULATED contact closure of UPS power failure?

 

4.  Serial SIMULATED contact closure of UPS low battery run time left?

 

  If all or multiple are supported, what can or can not be used simultaniously with a specific model range of APC UPSes?

 

  I am throwing out more questions since I have used APC on single computers for auto-shutdown, but not on unRAID yet myself.  I also have used OTHER vendor UPS solutions (now no longer available...) for network based power monitoring and computer client/server shutdown of local and remote computers.  I know it is also possible with APC, the big question is what does the unRAID plug-in apcupsd support of the available APC UPS communications options.  Are specific versions supported for various UPS/computer links?

Find one listed on this site so you will know its going to work with apcupsd.

 

http://www.apcupsd.com/manual/manual.html

 

If it works with apcupsd then your other machines will too. You can use the built in windows utility or power chute.

 

I bought a used ups for $25. It's a smartuos 1400 rm. I bought new batteries for $40 and now I have a $1000 unit for $65.

 

Any of the smartuos will do.

Find one listed on this site so you will know its going to work with apcupsd.

 

http://www.apcupsd.com/manual/manual.html

 

If it works with apcupsd then your other machines will too. You can use the built in windows utility or power chute.

 

...

 

  Thanks for the link!  I never bothered to look into apcupsd yet, but by looking at the information at the link you provided, it does seem to answer everything!  Looks like I need to play around myself when I get a chance...  :-)

 

 

If you want a long runtime than you do indeed need a larger unit;  but if you simply want 30 minutes or so you don't need a particularly large capacity unit.

 

You DO want to be sure whatever unit you buy has AVR (Automatic Voltage Regulation) ... this is the feature that will automatically adjust the line voltage without the need for switching to the batteries (Electron286 referred to this as "Line Reactive" ... but the industry standard term is AVR).

 

I agree the SmartUPS series is better if you don't mind the expense => the key difference is in the output waveform, which is a true sinewave with the SmartUPS units, and an emulated "stepped sine wave" (a modified square wave) with the BackUPS units.    But virtually all modern PC power supplies will work fine with the BackUPS units, so if you don't want to spend a lot, they're fine.  I use these with both my UnRAID systems:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842101393

... they have AVR, provide plenty of runtime for me [i have the APC plugin set to shut down after a 15 minute outage ... but I could easily change that to 45-60 minutes with these units if I wanted to].

 

If you want an equivalent SmartUPS unit, then buy this:  http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842301290

 

I have the same unit garycase linked to, the BR1000G. It been great, for me.

What is the design life of the battery of an UPS and

will there be a reminder somehow if the battery is "old"?

I know they loose capacity over time just as other rechargeables but

is there a monitoring?

 

I tend to look for an UPS just to ensure a safe powerdown.

Perhaps bridge a power outage of 2 minutes to give me enough time to

put back the circuit breaker.

In any other case, if my house has no power, I don't need/can't use the server either.

 

Considering I just need 5 mins. bridging capacity, a 600W unit would

provide that even with "degraded" batteries unless they're really over.

 

What is the design life of the battery of an UPS and

will there be a reminder somehow if the battery is "old"?

 

That varies by model, but I've found 3-5 years is when I have to replace the batteries.  The support software for most UPS models includes the ability to schedule a periodic battery test ... I have mine run once/month ... and will notify you if the test indicates any issues.

 

I got my APC UPS from eBay a real bargain. One thing regarding batteries make sure you get the branded ones, singer reverb one ship with cheap clones which aren't anywhere near original spec.

 

The UPS has my unRAID, main machine, switch and main monitor attached to it. After 5 main my main machine shuts down and 3 min later the server shuts down, all without issue and properly.

 

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

 

 

About 12 years ago i bought 2 APCs, a XS1500 and a XS1000 The 1500 just died when I put a Mac Pro Quad core on it. After research I decided to go with a Cyberpower CP1500PFCLCD R which so far I'm loving.

Only time will tell how long it last. A cheaper model was not recommended for the new energy saving power supplies. It's providing power for My Mac Pro, a 16 channel A to D/D to A audio converter,  5 external hard drives, my monitor & power supply, VHS, DVD players CD burner and a few other pieces of electronics.