Help Needed: Rack-mountable UPSs for a new network installation

I

InTheCube

Expert Member
Joined
Aug 8, 2008
Messages
4,581
Reaction score
87
Location
InTheCube.co.za
Hi.

I am completing a new network installation for a client, which includes Cat5, fibre optic and wireless.

We have a 47u server rack, that contains 2 fibre switches (plus 2 patch panels & 4 brush panels), a brand new Dell Server (with dual power input sockets for redundancy), as well as 2 other 6u cabinets that each contain a fibre switch, 2 brush panels, and a patch panel.

All 4 switches + the server need to have UPS backup power. I was initially going to get the brick/block type UPSs (1.2 KVA from PC International at R1208 each) and stick them inside. However, this is gonna look ugly, untidy and might not fit so lekka. They might not even fit into the 6u cabinets, and I would have to stick them on top.

There will also be quite a few POE (power over ethernet) devices connected to the switches, at least 3 going to each switch (these are wireless access points, and point to point Ubiquiti Bullet links). Power cuts are also a common occurence at the client's premisies, hence the need for some good, reliable, powerful UPSs.

So, I would like to know where I can get rack-mountable UPSs in Johannesburg, and would you recommend them for my current setup?

Are there any particular makes/brands/types that you can recommend, especially in light of my setup above?

Any advice and recommendations will be appreciated.
 
Last edited:
APC

Hi There.

You can look at APC which are available through Mecer and are rackmountable. I would however reccommend that you look at a higher kVa rating as 1.2kVa is unlikely to be able to handle that load. Does the site have genset backup as well, or are you relying purely on UPS redundancy.

Another good option would be to look at a GSM Commander which will send sms notifications in terms of power outages etc.

UPS protection alone will not keep the equipment powered for very long in this case. Also APC has the option for a plugin cable/software to do a graceful shutdown on the server in event of power shutdown, which is useful to avoid data corruption on the server.

Just some thoughts to consider, but if they have the budget, best bet would be 5kVa online APC with genset backup which will ensure stable power without shutdown during electricity failure.
 
durbandave said:
You can look at APC which are available through Mecer and are rackmountable. I would however reccommend that you look at a higher kVa rating as 1.2kVa is unlikely to be able to handle that load.
Click to expand...

I was thinking of getting a 1.2 kVa UPS for each switch, and 2 for the server (1 for each power input socket).

Does the site have genset backup as well, or are you relying purely on UPS redundancy.
Click to expand...

What is genset backup? They are currently only relying on UPS for backup power. When they have power outages, they basically need about 10-15 minutes to save their work and shut down.

Another good option would be to look at a GSM Commander which will send sms notifications in terms of power outages etc.
Click to expand...

That might be a good idea. Do you have a link for this?

UPS protection alone will not keep the equipment powered for very long in this case. Also APC has the option for a plugin cable/software to do a graceful shutdown on the server in event of power shutdown, which is useful to avoid data corruption on the server.
Click to expand...

Yip I know, they only need about 10-15 minutes in order to save work and shut down. Thing is, I'm sure they would like better/longer backup power, but it all depends on the cost.

Just some thoughts to consider, but if they have the budget, best bet would be 5kVa online APC with genset backup which will ensure stable power without shutdown during electricity failure.
Click to expand...

How much would one of these cost? Do you perhaps have a URL? Where can I buy it in JHB? Perhaps this will be good for the main rack which houses the server, 2 switches and ADSL modem. What about the other 2 smaller cabinets (6u)? 5kVa would be overkill.
 
ToxicWazte said:
How much would one of these cost? Do you perhaps have a URL? Where can I buy it in JHB? Perhaps this will be good for the main rack which houses the server, 2 switches and ADSL modem. What about the other 2 smaller cabinets (6u)? 5kVa would be overkill.
Click to expand...

You need to sit down and work this stuff out based on each devices power consumption. So maybe list each device & it's power consumption on a per rack basis and we can take it from there.
 
ponder said:
You need to sit down and work this stuff out based on each devices power consumption. So maybe list each device & it's power consumption on a per rack basis and we can take it from there.
Click to expand...

I'm not really clued up on how to calculate power consumption. How do I go about doing this?
 
Got brick UPS'es - but gonna stick them in the cabinets for now. Gonna look ugly, but they will do the job, until next year (end 2011) when I can order rackmounted UPS'es. Or a genny.

I'll rather order a genny, methinks.
 
bekdik said:
Go to www.apc.co.za - if it doesn't list dealers, email them
Click to expand...

Thanks. apc.co.za doesn't work, but apc.com does. Had a look at some of the rack-mount UPSs, and then searched jump.co.za for general pricing.

Rack-mountable UPSs are frikken expensive. At least 2-3 times the price of an equivalent brick-type UPS.
 
Rackmount anything is very expensive, unfortunately. As for power: list the W of each device, or failing that, how much current (A) it requires at a given voltage.
 
ToxicWazte said:
I'm not really clued up on how to calculate power consumption. How do I go about doing this?
Click to expand...

It's usually listed on the back of the device close to where the power cable goes in. Usually measured in (W)atts.
 
Hi there. Sorry by Genset I mean generator. Not sure of the suppliers in JHB but in CT we use Deutsch who supply and maintain our generators.

Gsm commanders you can google for suppliers.

1.2 should be fine per switch but not to sure you will get more than a few minutes out of it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X