plug Western Power and Linux

[Campbell, Ian]

We have an emergency generator but we still need a UPS.  The power goes off,
the generator registers this and starts up but then it gets the full load of
everything which is switched on dropped onto it while it is still getting up
revs.  At this point it could stall.  You need to have a short break - say 5
seconds - to let the generator get up speed then you drop the load onto it.
Thats why you need the UPS also.
Ian Campbell
IT/Audit Coordinator
Avon Health Service
tel: 0896 901 614     fax 0896 901 605
email: ian.campbell at health.wa.gov.au


-----Original Message-----
From: HILL Walter [mailto:walter.hill at customs.gov.au]
Sent: Tuesday, 9 June 1998 9:16
To: plug at linux.org.au
Subject: RE: plug Western Power and Linux


All,

What it boils down to is the value of the lost production (loss of
utility of the machine) or potential loss of data occurring through a
power spike (or dip) worth more than $800.00? Since most businesses are
also reliant on power for lighting, heating, cooling and phones (If you
have a PABX) then data protection probably rates highest on the list.
The alternative is no UPS and to potentially replace a damaged machine
and completely rebuild the software on it; assuming that you do a
nightly backup.

It's a question of risk, just like insurance. We use UPSs here merely to
allow our Novell based servers time to shutdown gracefully rather than
stop cold.

In the big scheme of things $800 isn't a lot of money. But typically the
majority of people I would speak to; _average_ users & not distinguished
members of plug ;-); not only do they completely discount the notion of
a backup (either to tape or some other media) based purely on an initial
outlay, much less the notion of an UPS. But balk at the idea of having
to pay for software.

If you were serious about it all you could consider a generator!!! Now
we're talking $$$


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Walter Hill                                    ,-_|\
w.hill at computer.org                          /     \
walter.hill at customs.gov.au                   \_,-._/
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	-----Original Message-----
	From:	Shackleton, Kevin [SMTP:kshackleton at agric.wa.gov.au]
	Sent:	Tuesday, June 09, 1998 8:47 AM
	To:	plug at linux.org.au
	Subject:	RE: plug Western Power and Linux

	$800 is really steep for a UPS.

	You should consider runing only the PC off the UPS.  The monitor
	probably uses more power than the PC.  With just the PC you
should get
	over 30 minutes from the smallest units - 250 to 300 VA.

	Also look at if the UPS is an active filter - the APC ones are
but there
	should be others.

	K.

	> ----------
	> From: 	Paul Wilson[SMTP:hooker at opera.iinet.net.au]
	> Subject: 	Re: plug Western Power and Linux
	> 
	> - I've been quoted in the order of $800