We have our server plugged into a UPS box and I am wondering what purpose it serves. Is it supposed to keep our server running if the power goes out? Is it supposed to sound an alarm when the power goes out and it is running off battery?
It's an APC brand.
Any info will help, thanks.
2006-08-03 02:41:44 · 15 answers · asked by Veccster 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
Sorry, that is supposed to read "uninterruptible".
2006-08-03 02:46:33 · update #1
A UPS exists to maintain power in the event of a blackout or brownout. Most will sound an audible alarm when the power goes out and they're running off battery. Some can notify the OS via a USB or Serial cable.
Pull the power cable out of the wall for a few seconds to find out what it does. As long as the battery has a minute's worth of charge, you shouldn't see any ill effect, and most are rated for somewhere between 15 min and an hour.
2006-08-03 02:46:17 · answer #1 · answered by lacrosseref 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Depending on the size of the UPS and how many devices are plugged into it you can get from half an hour to 12 hours out of it. It is primarily used to allow Sys admins to shutdown machines if a power cut occurs. This is to stop damage that can occur if a machine is simply turned off without formally being shutdown. It is not really meant to be used as a backup power supply for long as it takes some time to recharge, some sys admins leave it run for a a few hours if they know that the main electricity supply will only be off for an hour or 2. Some sound an alarm but most pop up warning messages on the sys admin's network monitor. depends on the model or the location of the server really, as sounding an alarm only for a remote server aint going to make much difference.
2006-08-03 09:48:02 · answer #2 · answered by leighgriffin_ie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is a battery that powers a computer when the power goes out. It is meant as a temporary power source until a generator comes on and produces power, or it will give the server enough time to shut down correctly instead of losing power and possibly corrupting files.
Many UPSs will sound an alarm when it is running off of a battery or if there is too much running off of the UPS (its overloaded and you need to see about getting another UPS for some of the computers).
2006-08-03 09:48:22 · answer #3 · answered by Bryan A 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it is supposed to keep your system running for a few minutes without disruption if there is a power outage. How long it can do so will depend on the model, and the amount of draw your system uses. Typically most models are good for 30 mins or so.
Most have an alarm for problems, but I don't think just running off the battery is supposed to trigger the alarm. It's more for telling you there is a problem with thte unit. I guess they figgure if the lights are off, you should know there is a power problem.
2006-08-03 09:48:45 · answer #4 · answered by David D 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, it depends on how big the UPS is (power capacity wise). But for home uses it is designed to give you between 5 and 30 minutes of emergency power in the event of a power failure to give you time to properly shut down your machine and save any work you were working on. It is not designed to power the computer through the power outage. However, it being attached to a server (if it's a business) I would expect that it is designed to last significantly longer. And if it's a large company then there are anywhere between 24 hour and week long emergency batteries or generators.
2006-08-03 09:48:05 · answer #5 · answered by conradj213 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A UPS serves several purposes, the primary of which is to provide uninterruptible power, hence the name.
The basic UPS will have a rectifier circuit which converts AC (Alternating Current) power to DC (Direct Current) which is used to charge the battery inside. The battery provides power to an inverter circuit which convert DC power to AC power which is used to supply the connected equipment, which in your case is the server.
When a power outage occurs, the stored power in the battery will provide you with enough power so that you can take the necessary steps to properly backup your data or save your work.
Some UPS's do have alarms to inform of power outages, low power supply, etc.
2006-08-03 09:51:48 · answer #6 · answered by Jestnii 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS), sometimes called an uninterruptible power source, is a device which maintains a continuous supply of electric power to connected equipment by supplying power from a separate source when utility power is not available.
2006-08-03 09:45:31 · answer #7 · answered by Spock 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
FYI - The correct meaning is "Uninterruptible Power Supply"
And that is exactly what it does, if there is a power outage, your system stays on as long as the UPS has power, which vary from minutes to hours.
For future technical references, try this website: http://whatis.techtarget.com
2006-08-03 09:55:30 · answer #8 · answered by Beto 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A UPS is intended to use when the power goes out. You will not be able to use your computer during the power outage, but the UPS will give you time to save anything that you were working on. It will give you time to turn the computer off (i.e. start....turn off.....turn off.
It's main purpose is to keep you from losing a whole lot of stuff when the power goes off unexpectedly.
2006-08-03 10:27:21 · answer #9 · answered by Irish1952 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It does a couple of things it controls spikes and flucuations in the ac line therfore protecting your equiptment.
It also provides power incase the ac goes off by a battery. how long the power lasts is determined by the size of the battery and the draw of the current.
It should beep periodically when its running off your battery.
2006-08-03 09:48:55 · answer #10 · answered by sheerhunk69 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋