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Power Protection September 03, 2001 URL: http://www.zdnet.com.au/reviews/hardware/components/soa/Power-Protection/0,139023397,120108126,00.htm
Most computer users are vigilant when it comes to the possibility of virus attacks and other technological threats. There is, however, one potential disaster that can strike anywhere, anytime, that's not taken seriously by some - the possibility of a power outage. A preventative UPS device is much more valuable than an expensive cure. A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) is a device that allows your computer to keep running for a relatively short time when the primary power source has been lost. The UPS may have one or a number of batteries that keep the power flowing, even through a blackout. They also provide protection against spikes, sags, surges, noise, lightning, and brownouts. A UPS can be more than just a safety net. It can regulate the power that comes from your wall socket. The UPS can ensure all your 240-volt power devices always receive clean and smooth power. Some of the better UPSs ship with software that will let system administrators monitor the status of the UPS from a remote location via a network node or the Web. Some software can also e-mail users, letting them know there is a problem in the server room. If the power does not come back up before the UPS is depleted, the software can initiate a system shutdown. Users are warned of the shutdown and their files are automatically saved prior to the shutdown. There are two basic types of UPS. The first is called a standby power system (SPS), which monitors the line and kicks over to battery power as soon as it detects an outage. With this type of UPS, there's a millisecond lag during which your machine is powerless. The second type, an online UPS, provides a constant stream of power--but is more expensive. All the UPSs we tested for this month's feature were of the second type. These UPSs constantly monitor the integrity of the power by boosting or reducing the voltage to your PC whenever the line voltage rises too high or falls too low. They will also switch to battery power if the deviation becomes too great. This gives it a great advantage over standby UPSs. Standby UPSs switch between utility and battery power when utility power fails. They maintain stable system operation when utility power is unstable but the only drawback is that they use a smaller charger. The charger takes longer to recharge the batteries, and while this is happening, for over a period of a few hours, the UPS will deliver little or no backup protection. The capacity of a UPS can be measured in power (measured in volt-amperes or VA) and energy (measured in watt-hours). Power determines how much equipment the UPS can operate and energy determines how long the UPS can operate your equipment. All the UPSs in this roundup use some sort of sealed lead acid battery. The rated lifetime is three to six years and as the batteries age, runtime also gradually declines. Software plays an important role in shutting down your equipment. UPS software works by polling the UPS, then posting all of its operating parameters such as battery capacity, input voltage, output voltage and battery voltage. Some software will let you schedule a system shutdown, graph any power problems and schedule events and create multiple logs. The relay of control information between the UPS and software is by way of a RS-232C serial port or 10Base-T network connection. For this comparison we decided to only test true line interactive UPSs that are rated between 600VA and 1000VA. UPSs of this rating are suitable for PCs, workstations, and small servers. The RMIT IT Test Lab received 11 UPSs in total--three of which were rack mountable. Most of the UPSs shipped with power cables and support Windows, OS/2, Netware, and many Unix variants. EDITORS' CHOICEPowerware 5115 1000i
Those on a budget will look for the cheapest solution and most of the time they will end up buying a UPS with a short battery life. Thirty minutes should be enough time for you to gracefully shutdown your workstation. You could buy a number of UPSs that will be able to run your workstation for around thirty minutes for a relatively small price. We decided to give two awards away. One was "bang for your buck" and the other for the UPS that had the longest staying power. The overall Editors' Choice went to the Powerware 5115 1000i. It exhibited very good battery life and it offers the best bang for your buck. It shipped with some great software that was easy to use and comprehensive. The Powerware 5115 1000i makes an excellent choice for those who don't have a big budget and need good backup for their workstation. A Merit Award goes to the Upsonic Pro Power 1000 for its staying power. It was priced twice as high as the Powerware 5115 1000i but it had twice the battery life. The Upsonic Pro Power is also more of an industrial strength type UPS that is suited for servers rather than workstations. Powerware 5115 1000i
The tests performed on the UPSs were straightforward. We devised a simple program in Visual Basic that recorded the system clock every 30 seconds from the time we pulled the power cord out from the UPS up until it shutdown our test-bed PC. The program time-stamped all the times into a text file. We not only rated each of the UPSs by the way they performed, but we also evaluated the ease of setup, functionality (number of outlets, etc), software, and price. The test-bed used for the battery run-down was a Gateway Select 1000 PC. Fitted was an AMD Athlon 1GHz processor, with 128MB of RAM, 10GB IBM HDD, and a 19in Sony monitor. Sola UPS 325 7500 and Sola UPS 325 1000
We received two Sola UPS 325 UPSs. One was rated at 750VA while the second was rated at 1000VA. They both measure 213 x 163 x 363 (HWD in mm) but the 750 weighs in at 14kg while the 1000 weighs 16kg. The 1000VA UPS uses three 6V/12AH batteries and the 750VA two 12V/7AH batteries.They are both quite small compared to many of the other UPSs we had tested. On the front panel there is a line/buck boost LED, which blinks when the Sola 325 is bucking or boosting. There is also an LED that indicates the 325 is operating on batteries. An additional four LEDs indicate how much of the battery is charged and the load the UPS is under. The 325 beeps whenever it is running on battery power or when there is an alarm present. Some of the alarms that can go off include line loss, low battery, replace battery, and output overload.
One of the differences between the Sola UPSs and the others reviewed is that the output plugs on the back are of the female type. They are typical of the types used in Australia. The other UPSs feature American and European type plugs (female IEC-320). On the back you will also find an RS-232C serial port and two surge protection jacks that will protect network equipment that uses RJ-45 connectors. You have to plug the 10Base-T network connection into the jack labelled "IN" and network equipment must be plugged into the "OUT" jack. Once we moved the 325 into place we were ready to install the 325 software. The software CD includes NetWatch for BestLink. NetWatch allows you to monitor UPS activity through your SNMP/ Web Adaptor and configure clients computers for shutdown. The 325 also ships with CheckUPS II which can be used with any Best Power UPS. CheckUPS II includes power management and shutdown features. The software was very easy to use. All the control information was well laid out and easy to understand. The information displayed included voltage in and out, runtime remaining, and UPS load. The CheckUPS II will allow you to schedule events like shutdowns and restarts. When we tested the 325 UPS, we changed the shutdown time to 60 minutes. This time is well outside its capability and it ensured the battery would be completely depleted in the run-down test. The 1000VA Sola UPS managed 31:09 (min:sec) in our run-down test while the 750VA Sola UPS managed 23:16. In both cases, that works out to a $28/minute operation cost. We obtained this by dividing the price of the unit by the minutes it was operated before the battery was depleted. Using this as a benchmark, the Powerware (750VA and 1000VA) units performed slighter better and cost a little less than the Sola units. The manual supplied with the Sola 325 UPS is quite thin but it does outline all the unit's features and explains what all the symbols, LEDs, and audible alarms mean. There is a troubleshooting section and step-by-step instructions on how to replace the battery. The Sola 325 UPSs ship with great software, are very easy to setup and use, and have strong batteries. Overall they are both excellent UPSs. If you need the extra run time then the 1000VA Sola 325 would be the way to go. Company: Sola Australia.
Sola UPS 520 1050RM
The Sola 520 1050 rack-mount UPS is rated at 1050VA. This rating is just outside the range we had specified. We still tested the 520 and included it in the main review. We didn't think the extra 50VA would make much difference. The 520 managed 43:23 (min:sec) in our run-down test. We received three rack-mountable UPSs in total. The 520 did not perform as well as the Powerware 5119 rack mount but it's almost $500 cheaper, and the 520 also cost one dollar less to run per minute. The Sola 520 was the second cheapest UPS to run based on our dollar per minute calculation. (The Powerware 5115 1000i was the only UPS that cost less to run.) The Sola 520 looks a lot bigger than the Powerware rack-mount UPS only because it sits a lot higher. The Sola 520 weighs in at 27kg (heavier than the Powerware rack-mount UPS). The 520 is designed to protect corporate servers, Unix servers/workstations, hubs, routers, and small business servers. An increased number of servers, hubs, and routers are being placed in rack enclosures and because of this, we have started to see more rack mounted UPSs. The Sola 520 uses the same software as the other two Sola UPSs. The 520 rack mount integrates features such as user-programmable buck/boost and nominal voltage regulation, and has a built in BestDock communications slot for expanded communication options, including PC interface via the Internet using the BestLink SNMP/ Web adaptor. The Sola 520 has the same number of LEDs on the front panel as the Sola 325, and it features the same audible alarms. We did, however, notice that some of the audible alarms beep at different second intervals. On the back are four Australian type output plugs. There are also two surge protection jacks that will protect equipment that use an RJ-11 or RJ45 connection. The 520 user guide was very similar to that provided with the 325. It was thin but adequate and easy to follow. It features a quick startup page that steps through the installation procedure and a troubleshooting section that should get you out of any difficulties. The Sola 520 is a good all round performer. It is well priced and it performed well in the run-down test. The Sola 520 offers more bang for your buck than all of the higher scoring UPSs. Company: Sola Australia.
Powerware 5115 750i and Powerware 5115 1000i
The 750i and 1000i Powerware UPSs are very similar in appearance, though the 1000i weighs an extra 200 grams. Both use two 12V batteries, but the 1000i uses 9AH batteries compared to the 750i's 7.2AH batteries. The 1000i also has six output sockets compared to 750i's four. Each of the Powerware UPSs have a network transient protector and a single communications port. Dip switches on the rear panel are used to configure the output voltage and input voltage. The default output voltage is 230V and the input voltage range was set to 207V-243V.
The front panels on both of the units were identical. There are four indicators, a power on indicator, on battery, overload, and a service indicator. The two units will also let you know of any condition or problems with the UPS by setting off an alarm. There is an alarm that will let you know if there is a fault with the UPS fan, whether the battery is running low, and if the power requirements exceed the capacity of the UPS. The 5115 comes with FailSafe III for standalone systems. This is software that includes some great power scheduling features. Administrators are able to define their own shutdown and startup processes. The system monitor is extensive with detailed numeric and graphical displays--users will not have any problems determining the status and operating environment of their computer. The Powerware 1000i managed quite a good run down time of 32:25. It performed better than the Sola 1000VA UPS, Upsonic UPS, and Tripp Lite. The 1000i was also the least expensive UPS to run. In our run-down tests it cost $25 per minute to run. The 1000i is an excellent all round UPS. It comes with good software and is quite affordable. The 1000i performed better than all the other UPSs priced under $1000. There wasn't a great deal of difference between the performance of the Powerware 750i and Sola 750; the 750i, however, is a little cheaper. The Powerware UPSs are excellent for protecting your servers and workstations. The 1000i will give you enough time and the flexibility to guard the integrity of your equipment, and if you're looking for a dependable UPS with good software and you're on a tight budget, the 750i would be an excellent buy. Company: Powerware./ Invensys.
Powerware 5119 RM
The Powerware 5119 RM was one of the three rack-mount UPSs that we tested. The Powerware 5119 is rated at 1000VA and 670W. The front panel does a good job indicating how the UPS is operating and any potential power problems. There are 15 indicators in total. The AC input LEDs show information about the utility power streaming into the UPS. The battery charge LEDs show the approximate percentage of battery charge, and the load level LEDs display the total load currently plugged into the UPS. There is also a site wiring fault indicator, battery service and communication indicator. On the rear panel are four Australian type output plugs, serial communications port and a Remote Emergency Power-Off (REPO) connector which can be wired to a device for turning the UPS off from a remote site. There is also an option module that allows your UPS to communicate in a variety of networking environments. Mounting the UPS in a rack is straightforward. The mounting brackets are not already installed so you have to screw the brackets over the mounting holes on the left- and right-hand sides of the UPS. Then you have to install the mounting handles. They screw into the mounting brackets. On the software side, the 5119 comes with both LanSafe III for networked systems and FailSafe III. LanSafe III provides cross-platform compatibility so you can monitor power conditions on computers running different operating systems. Users can, for example, monitor a Unix system from a Windows PC via TCP/IP. Both FailSafe III and LanSafe III are complete and very easy to use. If you run into any trouble with the hardware, the user guide should be able to answer all your questions (and if you need help using any of the software the manual that was supplied on the software CD should be able to help you out). We had a look inside the 5119. The four batteries slide out from the front of the UPS. We found two 12V batteries running in parallel that were connected in a series to another pair of 12V batteries (also running in parallel). The 5119 has the same number and type (V/AH) of batteries as the Upsonic Pro Power 1000. It did not, however, beat the Upsonic in the run-down test--the 5119 managed the second-highest score (in fact, it was only one of two UPSs that managed to keep running past 60 minutes). The 5119 costs just over $1600, which makes it quite expensive. However, because of its long run time in our test, it only cost $27 per minute--similar to what most of the others cost to run. So in situations where longer backup times are necessary, the 5119 is worth the extra dollars. Company: Powerware./ Invensys.
Tripp Lite Smart Pro INT 1000 NET
The Tripp Lite Smart Pro INT 1000 NET is a UPS rated at 1000VA and 620W. It weighs in at 17.8kg and is a very squarish UPS. On the front panel you will find the on/off button and a number of LEDs. First on the left is a line present indicator that stays on when there is AC power present and flashes when the UPS is in standby mode. Then there is a line correction indicator, which advises you whether the UPS is on battery and in boost or buck mode. The remaining LEDs consist of a load status indicator, maintenance bypass switch, battery status indicator, replace battery indicator and alarm mute/self test switch. On the back of the UPS is a single serial port connector and a DIN-3 connector that allows an optional remote control module to control the Smart Pro via telephone or modem. Also on the back we noticed the Smart Pro only had three output sockets. Most of the UPSs we had tested at least four. Once we connected the UPS to our test-rig we were ready to install the software. The Smart Pro ships with PowerAlert, which will let you customise all the actions that relate to a UPS event. You can schedule an orderly shutdown or reboot and you can also create multiple event logs that will list any alarms that have gone off or events that have taken place. The main window displays all the operating conditions of the UPS. They are easy to read and are well laid out. We must say that this software was one of the easiest to use and featured great monitoring and control features. The manual was a little hard to follow. There was far too much information crammed onto each page. The font that was used was very small and there was no index or a troubleshooting section. On the software CD we found a manual in a PDF format that was very well put together. It clearly explained how to use the monitoring software. The Smart Pro scored very similar to many of the other 1000VA UPSs that were priced under $1000. The Smart Pro managed 30:46 (min:sec) in the run-down test. The Smart Pro scored better than the 600W Upsonic UPS. It did not, however, perform as well as the 670W power supplies. The Smart Pro comes with some really good software and is quite a good performer overall but it's priced a little high. The Smart Pro also cost a little more to run than all of the UPSs that were under $1000. Company: Tripp Lite Australia
Liebert UPStation GXT 1000RT-230
The Liebert UPStation GXT stands taller than all of the other UPSs in our test. At 430 x 177 x 522 (HWD), this UPS is large and weighs in at 26kg. You can also use the UPStation as a rack-mount UPS. There are two support bases that are supplied with the UPS that will add extra support if you sit the UPS upright. To install the UPS as a rack mount you have to lay the unit on its right side, remove the six rubber feet, and then attach the securing flanges. You can change the orientation of the display and you can even rotate the "Liebert UPStation GXT" plate. Conveniently, there are two handles located on the front panel of the UPS that will let you slide the UPS in and out of the rack. There are a number of indicators on the front panel. There's a fault, bypass, UPS on, battery indicator, an AC input indicator, and load/battery level indicators (4 green and 1 amber). There are four power sockets and a serial outlet. There is provision for an Ethernet card, which can be installed in the IntelliSlot to allow you to monitor the UPS from the SiteNet SNMP Manager. You can also attach up to two optional battery cabinets to the UPS to provide additional runtime. The UPStation can provide an alternative path for mains power to the connected load by providing a bypass. In the unlikely event of a UPS failure, the UPS will automatically transfer the connected load to bypass which will allow the UPS to continue working. The UPS software was not supplied--we had to download the UPS software from the Internet. We downloaded SiteNet MultiLink UPS Monitoring & Shutdown Software and SiteNet SNMP Manager. The software is quite good overall. The UPS instrumentation screen is detailed; users can customise events and ensure graceful shutdowns. It is also possible to configure responses to UPS status changes, including support for e-mail, pagers, and on-screen notification. The UPStation performed quite well in our run-down test. It managed 45:27 (min:sec) which was fourth best overall. It was, however, the most expensive UPS to run at $42 per minute. It was also the most expensively priced UPS at $1899, but for that you will get the most flexible UPS and some very nice added features. Company: Liebert Corporation
APC Smart-UPS 1000NET
The APC UPS performed very well in our run-down test. With a time of 51:39 (min:sec) it recorded the third best time overall, and costs AU$27 per minute to run--slightly more than most of the other UPSs. The APC uses two 12V/12AH batteries and, as we had expected, the APC did not last as long as the Upsonic Pro Power 1000 or the Powerware 5119, whose batteries were slightly better. On the front of the UPS is a SmartTrim LED that comes on to indicate that the UPS is compensating for a high voltage (bucking).There's also a SmartBoost LED that indicates the UPS is compensating for a low voltage (boosting). There are also LED indicators for online, overload, on battery, and replace battery. On the left-hand side of the front panel is a load bar graph and on the right-hand side a utility voltage bar graph. On the back of the UPS we found four power outlets, a serial communications port, and an interface port for a SmartSlot card. The APC UPS can conserve battery capacity and service life by reducing the sensitivity of the UPS. You have the option of setting the sensitivity to low, reduced, or normal by pressing the configuration button on the rear panel. You can also adjust the low-battery warning by pressing the rear panel configuration panel and pressing the "on" and "test" buttons on the front panel simultaneously. You can set the low-battery warning to go off at two, five, and seven minute intervals. The APC UPS shipped with the well-known PowerChute software that supports most major operating systems. Installing the software was a piece of cake. We decided to install everything, which included the conventional management software that lets you customise events and view event logs. It also displays all the relevant information regarding the status of the UPS. We also installed software that lets you manage the UPS via the Internet. The APC UPS is more suited for small servers rather than workstations, but it gives you heaps of time to ensure a graceful shutdown, and it sports excellent software and features. Company: American Power Conversion
Upsonic Pro Power 1000
The Upsonic Pro Power 1000 was the last UPS we received and it proved to be quite a surprise entry. It managed to top the highest score in the run-down test. It beat the Powerware 5119 by just over five minutes and it was one of two UPSs that lasted for over an hour. The Upsonic had a similar battery setup to the Powerware 5119 but was rated at 1000VA and 800W. The Powerware was only rated at 670W. The Upsonic cost AU$29 per minute to run. This was a fraction higher then most of the other UPSs. Its overall price of AU$1876.60 is high (twice that of some of the other UPSs). At the same time you will get twice the life out of the Upsonic than you would with the less expensive UPSs. The Upsonic UPS is quite largish for a 1000VA UPS. It weighs in at 22kg--almost as much as a rack-mount UPS. On the front panel you will find a battery level indicator as well as a load level indicator. The other LEDs are for Line, Inverter, Bypass, and Fault. The Upsonic uses true on-line double conversion UPS topology with a bypass to ensure pure continuous 240-volt 50Hz (pure sine wave) power to critical or emergency equipment. This Upsonic UPS also provides true isolation for your load due to the double conversion technology, and can support UPS monitoring and SNMP capabilities. We didn't find any software inside the box. The unit did, however, work with Smart Monitor which was shipped with the Upsonic PCP 1000 UPS. It didn't take very long to get the hang of the software. The instrumentation was well laid out and includes all the relevant information that we would expect: input voltage, output voltage, and temperature, for example. There's also an alarm dialog box at the bottom of the main menu which keeps you informed of any events that have taken place. This Upsonic UPS scored the highest run-down time and features some of the latest technology to protect your sensitive equipment from spikes, brownouts, and blackouts. The Upsonic Pro Power 1000 is an industrial strength UPS for particularly bad areas. Its suitable for critical applications, high-end network servers and data centres. If you're intending on purchasing a UPS for your PC or workstation then this might be a bit much. Company: Upsonic Power
Upsonic PCP 1000The Upsonic PCP 1000 did not meet the test criteria we outlined in our invitations to this product comparison. The Upsonic is a standby UPS. This UPS kicks in straight away if, for example, the voltage drops below the required amount. On the front of the UPS is a line in indicator, battery on, and fault indicator. There is also a power/ test UPS button. On the back there are three output sockets and a serial connector. The Upsonic PCP 1000 weighs only 11.9kg and measures only 168 x 110 x 365 (HWD). The Upsonic was one of the more compact UPSs. It was actually smaller than the 750VA UPSs. Its size may give you the impression that it will not last as long as many of the other UPSs. The Upsonic performed a little better than the Sola 325 750 and Powerware 5115 750i. It was not, however, able to get over 30 minutes in the run-down test. The Upsonic managed the shortest run-down time out of all the 1000VA UPSs with a time of 26:27 (min:sec). The Upsonic was the least expensive 1000VA UPS and cost as much to run per minute as many of the other UPSs we reviewed. The Upsonic is only a 600W UPS. It was slightly under powered compared to other 1000VA UPSs. The Upsonic UPS comes with some good software. SmartMonitor makes it very easy to configure your UPS. The main menu screen is well laid out and all the information you need to know is there. The Upsonic UPS is not a bad UPS. It's a little cheaper than all the similarly rated line interactive UPSs but it does not include many of the features that you will find with a line interactive UPS. Company: Upsonic Power
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