UPS for linux, brand suggestions, which is compatible with linux?

[Whiskers 0]

I'm learned cold reboots are very bad for linux, and I got to wondering well if the power dies, im screwed, so Im looking to get a ups that will safely shutdown and power off the computer when the AC power goes out.

 

Any brand suggestions of who is compatible with linux, and how many va would I need?

 

posting system specks so help determine how much va I would need

and because my system is finally good enough to brag a bit

 

19 inch CRT monitor

Asus A7nx-e Deluxe

XP 3200 2.2ghz

Volcano 12 Extreme CPU Fan

1 GB 3200 Corsair XMS Twinram

Asus geforce fx 5700 256mb

Audigy Gamer

Plextor Premium CDRW (52x)

Pioneer slot load DVD

60 gb WD 7200rpm

120 gb WD 7200rpm

2 Lian Li Moble Racks

Enermax Noisetaker 600 watter PS

 

 

[jimf43 0]

I got a couple of Belkin Model# F6C120-UNV, 670 watt units a while ago but really hadn't fully set them up with Linux. You got me looking and it would appear that Belkin does support linux and include software. I also ran across this which looks quite interesting:

http://www.starforge.co.uk/gkrellm/gkrellmbups.shtml

 

These are very solid and reliable units. In general, I've had very good luck with Belkin. My router / gateway is also great with Linux.

[martouf 0]

I'm a APC customer - ever since the first UPS I bought.

 

If you choose one of their SmartUPS products, you'll have your choice of

USB, ethernet or serial link to the UPS. Also, you may either use the PowerChute

for Linux software from APC, or use apcupsd.

 

Read this article - start at the "Support" section and read to the end.

 

 

[martouf 0]

BTW, if you're using a journalled file system, a sudden crash halt isn't really

so terrible. The hold-up time of your power supply is enough to get the journal

entries written in most cases (something less than fully saturated disk I/O).

 

Still, it is nice to finish your Slashdot post by the glow of your screen while the

rest of the neighborhood is in complete darkness. 8)

 

 

[Whiskers 0]

Sweet!, looks like I will be going with APC, as for filesystem how do I check which one I'm using? And I still dont know how many VA I need.

[jimf43 0]

Originally posted by Whiskers:

Quote:

Sweet!, looks like I will be going with APC, as for filesystem how do I check which one I'm using? And I still dont know how many VA I need.

http://www.apcc.com/template/size/apc/index.cfm

[martouf 0]

if you [size:4][tt]cat /etc/mtab[/tt][/color] and your filesystem is jfs|reiser|ext3

then you're using a journalled filesystem.

 

don't just select VA capacity based on how many watts your power supply is..

 

do you need your system to keep running for a very long time after the power goes,

or is it enough to do an orderly shutdown?

 

"orderly" meaning: you have time to finish your thought, save the file, do a quick online

weather report check, and announce to your pet/child/spouse "system shutting down

in 3 minutes".

 

or orderly meaning: lights go out, and you've got 3 or 4 minutes before the screen goes dark.

 

are you planning to plug your aquarium pump into the UPS? (don't even think about

the heaters!)

 

do you have a CRT or LCD monitor?

(and don't plug your laser printer into the UPS!)

 

would you be able to borrow someone else's APC SmartUPS long enough

to use it to measure the actual AC mains load for your system?

or do you have a trueRMS multimeter available?

 

the APC sizing chart is a guide, not a cookbook.

 

 

[Whiskers 0]

orderly meaning

 

" meaning: you have time to finish your thought, save the file, do a quick online

weather report check, and announce to your pet/child/spouse "system shutting down

in 3 minutes".

 

nothing else plugged in but the computer and monitor, and why is APC so expensive compared to belkin?

 

Belkin

 

800VA (450 Watts) Provides up to 45 minutes backup time Belkin On-Line Price: $119.99

 

Battery load capacity: 1000VA (550 Watts) Provides up to 75 minutes backup time Belkin On-Line Price: $139.99

 

Battery load capacity: 1200VA (670 Watts) Provides up to 100 minutes backup time Belkin On-Line Price: $159.99

 

 

APC

 

APC Smart-UPS XL 750VA USB & Serial 120V

Part Number(s):

SUA750XL

Price: $419.00

Runtime: 64 minutes

 

Back-UPS RS 1500VA + (1)BR24BP Battery Unit

Part Number(s):

BR1500 + BR24BP

Price: $449.98

Runtime: 85 minute

 

APC Smart-UPS 2200VA 120V

Part Number(s):

SU2200NET

Price: $819.00

Runtime: 147 minutes

 

 

these are the ones that showed up when running each sites, "help me choose" wizards.

 

[jimf43 0]

Originally posted by Whiskers:

Quote:

nothing else plugged in but the computer and monitor, and why is APC so expensive compared to belkin?

Mostly selling their reputation. They are very good, but, I think the Belkin is just as reliable (and cheaper).

 

Quote:

Belkin

 

Battery load capacity: 1200VA (670 Watts) Provides up to 100 minutes backup time Belkin On-Line Price: $159.99

If you shop around you may find them cheaper. I think I paid $75 for one of these on sale at officemax.

 

For sizing, I take Max Load X 150% but that's just me as an old custom machinery design Engineer You can probably get away with their auto sizing formula.

[martouf 0]

allow 140W for the CRT and another 100W for the system.

 

like I said, don't base your sizing on the wattage of the power supply. many PCs only draw 40W and that's mostly for the spinning disk drives.

 

I think you'll see what size you really need if you figure your system is a 250W load.

 

have a look at the BackUPS LS BP700UC aka "Back-UPS LS 700" and

price it via pricegrabber.com ..

 

the BackUPS RS 1500 will run for nearly half an hour.. you're paying for the

battery capacity, you know.

 

The BackUPS ES 725 looks like a good choice, too.

 

If you need extra runtime to ensure nobody misses an episode of SpongeBob,

then have a look at Smart-UPS XL 750VA.

 

 

[Whiskers 0]

The only concern I have about Belkin is that APC has linux shutdown software, and Belkin doesnt have linux shutdown software. Is there some 3rd party that has created software to shut down linux when using a belkin UPS?

[jimf43 0]

Originally posted by Whiskers:

Quote:

The only concern I have about Belkin is Belkin doesnt have linux shutdown software.

It does come with Linux software.