Previous Thread
Yes on the UPS, nothing is harder on disk drives then a sudden power loss. I am using a APC 500 something and I get a good 10-12 minutes on it powering the server, cable modem, and router. I have the server setup to shut down after 5 minutes on battery.
Categories: Setup and Installation
I'm debating picking up a dedicated UPS to keep my MediaSmart Sever up and running 24/7. Ideally, it would only need to have enough battery to run the server and a 4-port network switch. What UPS are you using and what kind of run time do you get with it?
May 1, 2008 5:07 PM
updated: May 1, 2008 5:07 PM
I also have an APC 500 hooked up to mine. I connected to my server via Remote Desktop to install the software and it works perfectly.
May 1, 2008 6:13 PM
updated: May 1, 2008 6:15 PM
I have my MSS attached to an APC UPS, but without the USB cable attachment. HP doesn't recommend using the active UPS (USB connection) with the MediaSmart Server. Any comments?
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01399873&lc=en&cc=us&lan...
May 1, 2008 8:40 PM
I think it may interfer with their own (HP's) monitoring utilities. There are many people running UPSs on their servers (HP and home built) that don't have any issues. Also there is no official add-in to control it. You need to use a remote desktop to install/configure it which they really don't want you to use.
May 1, 2008 10:21 PM
I've had my MSS EX470 hooked up to an APC BE650G for a couple of months now with no problems encountered. I have attached the USB link, but did not load the APC software. The WHS operating system software automatically recognized the APC UPS as soon as I hooked it up, and I then set the alarms and shutdown times within the WHS Control Panel / Power Options.
May 2, 2008 7:06 AM
I have my EX475 hooked up to an APC Back-UPS Pro 500; connected via USB cable to the front of the MSS; using the built-in MS WHS UPS monitoring tool (did not install the APC PowerShute Software). Everthing works great!
May 2, 2008 11:23 AM
I have both my HP servers on separate UPSs and have had occasion to fail over to them more than once.
May 3, 2008 2:05 PM
I went ahead and hooked up my APC BX1300 and the MSS. Like everyone indicated, the MSS recognized the UPS. I then set the new settings. Didn't load the software.
May 4, 2008 4:39 PM
I use the APC brand for home and office. Different models depending on the devices. Not promoting them or anything but they always seem to work without any headaches.
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May 5, 2008 4:29 PM
I use an APC BX1500 with the external battery for extended runtime. I don't have it connected to the MSS though since the 2 to 3 hour runtime I get is good for over 95% of the outages I have. I also have my FIOS ONT connected to it along with a the FIOS Actionetc router, my Dlink Gigabit router and 3 more Dlink Gigabit switches. And a couple of small fans to aid in airflow.
8TB MSS(11 WD 750GB GP drives), CFI port Multiplier, 4 bay USB, 2GB, LE-1640
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May 5, 2008 8:20 PM
I use APC exclusively and have several of varying capacities. I used Belkin units for a while because I preferred their software. Unfortunately I had two of them self-destruct, both on clear days with no power abnormalities. Both generated sparks, acidic smoke, crackeling noise and small flames. Fortunately I was in the room both times and quickly removed the power source. Belkin argued about the impossibility of this happening, swapped the first one (for the second). I sent them the second at my expense and purchased an APC replacement.
I recommend APC.
...JohnBick
MSS: HP EX475+1TB WD (2TB tot), 2 GB RAM, LE-1640, APC UPS
PC1: Vista/32 Ultimate w/150GB Raptor RAID-2 (C:) & 4x320GB RAID-5 data (D:)
PC2: Laptop, XP Home
May 5, 2008 8:56 PM
JohnBick said: I use APC exclusively and have several of varying capacities. I used Belkin units for a while because I preferred their software. Unfortunately I had two of them self-destruct, both on clear days with no power abnormalities. Both generated sparks, acidic smoke, crackeling noise and small flames. Fortunately I was in the room both times and quickly removed the power source. Belkin argued about the impossibility of this happening, swapped the first one (for the second). I sent them the second at my expense and purchased an APC replacement. I recommend APC.I had the same thing happen to two of my APC BX1500 units when they were brand new. But APC quickly replaced them and this was several years ago. I haven't had any problems since.
8TB MSS(11 WD 750GB GP drives), CFI port Multiplier, 4 bay USB, 2GB, LE-1640
May 8, 2008 3:33 PM
Just installed an APC Back-UPS RS 500. The APC software estimates a runtime of 73 minutes with only the server attached, but I suspect it will be somewhat less than that in actual operation.
I chose the RS model because the software reports more info about the UPS than the lower-end models, and it supports auto-restart after power is returned. That was actually the main point in my selection.
I tested it, and the restart works as advertised. I'd definitely recommend this model for the MSS.
May 10, 2008 3:35 AM
I just bought a Cyber Power model 1500AVR. You should look in to those and I got it from Amazon.
May 10, 2008 6:41 AM
Randyrtx said: Just installed an APC Back-UPS RS 500. The APC software estimates a runtime of 73 minutes with only the server attached, but I suspect it will be somewhat less than that in actual operation. I chose the RS model because the software reports more info about the UPS than the lower-end models, and it supports auto-restart after power is returned. That was actually the main point in my selection. I tested it, and the restart works as advertised. I'd definitely recommend this model for the MSS.Is there way to get the MSS to automatically power backup up after a shutdown on a UPS?
8TB MSS(11 WD 750GB GP drives), CFI port Multiplier, 4 bay USB, 2GB, LE-1640
May 10, 2008 10:41 AM
I use the APC 1300A. I hook it up to the MSS.
There is a BETA version of an add in that controls your UPS.
Ill have to let you guys know once I get home
May 10, 2008 3:44 PM
aaronwt said:Randyrtx said: Just installed an APC Back-UPS RS 500. The APC software estimates a runtime of 73 minutes with only the server attached, but I suspect it will be somewhat less than that in actual operation. I chose the RS model because the software reports more info about the UPS than the lower-end models, and it supports auto-restart after power is returned. That was actually the main point in my selection. I tested it, and the restart works as advertised. I'd definitely recommend this model for the MSS.Is there way to get the MSS to automatically power backup up after a shutdown on a UPS?
The UPS has to support auto-restart, and I think you have to use the software supplied. In my case, I've gotten it to work with the APC RS 500 and a XS 1300. I had an older CS model that should have worked, but didn't (possibly too old for the current Powerchute software). The MSS would not restart with ES models I tested. I also tested a Tripplite Model that should have supported it, but I couldn't get the software for it to run on the MSS.
According to specs on the APC website, the Back-UPS CS, LS, and RS models support auto-restart, but the ES models don't.
I also found it necessary to change the Power Management BIOS setting for the MSS to always on. Instructions for this can be found here: http://www.mediasmartserver.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=609
May 10, 2008 4:03 PM
Nice link about the BIOS, man. I didn't even think of that and I've had a few power outtages since I got my MSS!
May 10, 2008 4:07 PM
updated: May 10, 2008 4:10 PM
You should NOT be using the APC Powerchute software on the WHS!
Does anyone have the link to the addin?
May 11, 2008 4:33 AM
Heres that link to the add-in I mentioned...
http://www.gridjunction.com/announcement/gridjunction_beta_test.html#more-3
Its still in beta
May 11, 2008 10:35 AM
Lina said: You should NOT be using the APC Powerchute software on the WHS! Does anyone have the link to the addin?
Care to elaborate? The only issue I've encountered personally and read from others running it is that it defaults to hibernation rather than shutdown, which should be changed under Control Panel->Power Options.
I'm also testing GridJunction; it doesn't support auto-restart.
May 11, 2008 11:35 AM
Randyrtx: here's the HP URL explaining the problem of using the UPS enclosed software:
http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01399873&lc=en&cc=us&lan...
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May 11, 2008 1:53 PM
After reading several posts on this website and other sites related to the WHS and the MediaSmart HP in particular, I have hooked up the usb cable for my APC Back-UPS ES 350. I have had it backing up my HP MSS since I first started the server but had been hesitant to hook up the cable. I connected using the remote desktop connection, hooked up the cable, then went to the Power Options on the HS and saw that it was recognized. Now I'll just sit back watch how it performs.
I have a similar unit protecting my home PC. We don't get a lot of extended power outages so I am not concerned so much about uptime as I am about the quality of power feeding my systems. In the past 24 weeks we have had 1 blackout lasting 15 seconds, but also had 34 times that I switched to battery due to electrical noise.
May 11, 2008 5:23 PM
I use that gridiron junction plugin and it's pretty cool. I have a CyberPower 1500AVR UPS hooked up to my HP WHS box. I also have an MCE2005 box, 2 monitors, 2 routers and my sound system hooked up to it and it works without a hitch. It has about 18 minutes runtime and uses 235watts. I use a small program installed on each PC called "poweroff" and I run a batch file from that on WHS to shut down the MCE2005 box and itself after 5 minutes of being on battery power.
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May 11, 2008 6:25 PM
DogMan said: Randyrtx: here's the HP URL explaining the problem of using the UPS enclosed software: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01399873&lc=en&cc=us&lan...
Well, I have read that statement from HP but do not understand it. I ran the APC software on the server for a couple months but did not bother to re-install it when I did my last Factory Reset on 9 Apr 08. I stil have it connected but just use the power management functins in Windows.
Had an interesting occurance one time. Lost power for several hours (very unusual here). The MSS was set to "sleep" after power was down to 50%. Power came back on and the MSS started right up. It draws a LOT less power in "sleep" mode!
I see the biggest problem being a power failure during a backup or balancing operation. HP and MS both warn about potential data corruption (NOT the infamous "data corruption bug") if the MSS is shut down at these times. What is needed it a trigger to WHS to tell it that it needs to QUICKLY quiesce to a point that will allow a safe shutdown. This is missing, but it is a very key requirement for any server.
...JohnBick
MSS: HP EX475+1TB WD (2TB tot), 2 GB RAM, LE-1640, APC UPS
PC1: Vista/32 Ultimate w/150GB Raptor RAID-2 (C:) & 4x320GB RAID-5 data (D:)
PC2: Laptop, XP Home
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