Hi everyone,

 

I have been reading the various posts in the forum regarding setting up apcupsd to shutdown unRAID in the event of a power outage - and am anxious to move in this direction.  I have researched various APC models, and ran across information regarding "stepped approximation to a sinewave" vs. "sinewave" waveform types - and how one's power supply handles this/these.  Several reviewers mentioned that their PC manufacturers' recommended UPS models using sinewave waveform types.  Other reviewers mentioned that with some modern power supply's, the "stepped approximation to a sinewave" wave form type caused their systems to immediately shut down when power was switched to the UPS.  I am using a CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W (budget box build) and was wondering if any of this might apply to my purchase.  (I'm certainly no Electrical Engineer )

 

I have been looking at the APC Smart-UPS SC620 (http://www.amazon.com/APC-Smart-UPS-SC620-4-Outlet-System/dp/B0006HJB1G/) and wasn't certain if I would experience any issues (other than needing to purchase an add-on Serial connector for my BIOSTAR A760G M2+ motherboard) - <<< stepped approximation to a sinewave.

 

Another that I was looking at was the APC Smart-UPS SUA750 750VA (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16842101137 - currently unavailable). <<< sinewave waveform

 

Can anyone make a suggestion for if this would suffice for my needs (e.g. one budget box unRAID server, one LCD monitor and a D-Link green gigabit switch)?

 

A BIG thank you for your assistance!

Depends on the specs of the LCD monitor; those alone vary greatly in power draw.

 

For instance, my LCD monitors both draw more power than my complete server.

 

The first LCD is specified at 80-59 Watts maximums during normal operations depending on USB and Audio usage. When it's power-save mode it's <2 Watts, and <1 Watts when off. This is a Dell 2405FP LCD.

 

The second LCD is specified at 55 Watts maximum during normal operations. When it's power-save mode it's 2 Watts, and <1 Watt when off. This is a Planar 1910m LCD.

My APC CS-650 is specified as 'stepped sine wave' and it works perfectly well driving my system through its HTC Raptor 500W PSU.

 

Can you not obtain a unit which, like mine, has a usb management port as standard?  It makes connecting it up a lot easier ... it would save having to obtain the add-on serial connector.

 

I drive my unraid server and another, Core duo based, system, plus an lcd monitor from the ups.  The ups is running at around 35% of full capacity.

Hi BRiT and PeterB - a big thank you for your replies.

 

BRiT - I must admit, I have never looked at the power draw my monitor uses.  I will definitely have to take a look into this as I can see where it will have an influence on the choice of UPS I choose.  

 

PeterB - That's a lot of hardware you have running on your UPS - I didn't realize you could place that type of load on them.  That is definitely something for me to think about.  The one APC unit that I was looking at doesn't have a USB interface (only the serial port).  From what I have read in the forum (and like you mention), USB is the way to go.  It looks like in order to get into a USB management port for APC's "Smart-UPS" products I will need to up the $$$ for purchase  .  However, I noticed that they have "Back-UPS" that appear to be less expensive (and include a USB port).  

 

Is there any benefit to a "Smart-UPS" vs. "Back-UPS"?  Is it necessary to have a "Smart-UPS" in order to shut-down an unRAID server during a power outage (using apcupsd)?

 

Thank you both again!

However, I noticed that they have "Back-UPS" that appear to be less expensive (and include a USB port).  

 

Is there any benefit to a "Smart-UPS" vs. "Back-UPS"?  Is it necessary to have a "Smart-UPS" in order to shut-down an unRAID server during a power outage (using apcupsd)?

 

Thank you both again!

 

This thread: http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=6695 has some discussion of the Back-UPS series being used with unRAID, including the ES 550 being used on a system with a 400W Corsair PSU (like you have).

 

Regards,

 

Stephen

Thank you for the link Stephen - I'm not sure how I missed that thread.  Very good information - after reading it I realize I don't need the "Smart-UPS" functionality after all.  The best part is I will be able to save some $$$ in the process!

 

Best Regards!

Is it necessary to have a "Smart-UPS" in order to shut-down an unRAID server during a power outage (using apcupsd)?

 

Mine, a BK650 model, is a Back-UPS, and it shuts down my unRAID server perfectly well.  The price, here in Philippines, was equivalent to £78/$125.

Be careful with model numbers when ordering.  e.g. an APC Back-Ups 550 is a 550 Volt-Amp unit.  You need to find the Watt rating for the unit you're interested in.

Is it possible to split the usb coming from the ups so that it can communicate with two computers (desktop and server) at once?

No. But you can install the software on both systems. The one plugged into the UPS will act as the Server and the other ones as Clients. It will communicate power status over the network. This can work for shutting down other systems.

Is it possible to split the usb coming from the ups so that it can communicate with two computers (desktop and server) at once?

There is no need.  (and probably not possible)

 

You can install apcupsd on the desktop (windows version) and set it to monitor via ethernet the apcupsd installed on the server.

 

 

I would only buy a smart-UPS, a used 700 from ebay may be had for $20, add another $40 for new batteries (same Panasonics but not AMX labeled) and you are all set. It will include the RS232 port by default.  

 

Why do you want to connect the monitor to it? I would only connect the server and the switch.

I recently purchased the APC Back-UPS ES 550.  Downloaded and installed the appropriate packages for unRAID and it works fine.  I also have a Synology NAS that supports the same UPS. They Synology will also shutdown when connected with the supplied RJ-45/USB cable.

 

But what I would like to do is the following:

 

(1) Have the syno monitor the unRAID server and shutdown accordingly

      ipkg apcupsd on the Synology and following these instructions?

http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=1528.msg27123#msg27123

 

(2) Have the unRAID monitor the Synology and shutdown accordingly.

      http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=3226.msg27310#msg27310

 

(3) Or is it as simple as plugging the USB into the Synology and inserting the towerip:3551 in the attached setup screen (Syno UPS)??

 

 

What is the best way to accomplish this?

 

I just found these http://www.cyberpowersystems.com/about-us/news/adaptive-sinewave-ups.html from CyberPower. It says their adaptive sinewaves work for PSU's with Active PFC. Anyone try one of these? Are they supported by the apcups shutdown script or another script? I moved my comment to a more appropriate thread. Found here:http://lime-technology.com/forum/index.php?topic=7962.0