Your IT Management plan should include the proper use of an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) – when the next severe thunderstorm warning hits your area, you should have the security of knowing that a power outage will not shut your business down.
Uninterruptible power supplies (UPSes) help prevent damage from power loss and common electrical fluctuations. But there’s more to effective protection than just plugging in a UPS and connecting computer equipment. They also protect your systems from the sudden loss of electricity or a power surge, either of which can cause damage.
Installing and configuring a USP is a great first step. Beyond that, there are some additional strategies that PSN Technology recommends in order to make the best use of this technology:
Install the Shipped Software
UPSes usually include proprietary software that must be installed for the unit to work properly when the principal power source fails. Always install a UPS’ included software.
Protect Data Lines
Ensure that you configure your network properly to prevent damage caused by lightning that can also travel through a communications line. A UPS data protection circuit should be installed between your telecommunications data line and your computer systems.
Should a strong electrical surge occur, the UPS’ protective circuit will prevent the surge from destroying other equipment. Replacing a UPS device is much less expensive than replacing multiple servers, PCs, and network switches.
Pay Attention to Load Levels
A typical UPS in service today was deployed to serve a network that, in most, cases, has grown. This may include new servers, workstations, and peripherals, all placing greater demand on the UPS. Periodically recalculate the volts-amperes/wattage a UPS must provide so that you can make a smart decision about deploying an additional UPS or purchasing a new model.
Know When to Pause Data Replication
Any data replication should be configured to pause during a power outage; otherwise, you risk overwriting good data with bad. For example, when using Windows’ native backup utility, specify that the task not start if the system is running on batteries.
Test your System’s Batteries
Regularly test your UPS system’s batteries as those can fail. Better UPS systems will include an alert function that monitors and makes you aware of expiring batteries. The service life of a typical UPS battery is only a few years.
UPS devices are often positioned on cubicle floors and behind desks, so it is easy to forget they’re there.
Many UPS devices feature hot-swappable batteries. Such models enable changing a UPS’ batteries without powering down attached equipment. Hot-swappable batteries are particularly useful when powering servers and other critical devices.
Avoid Powering Your Printer
UPS systems are not meant to power everything in the office. Printing may prove a critical task, such as within billing or credit departments, but don’t rely upon a UPS to power a laser printer. Laser printers can quickly overpower a UPS and exceed standard load levels. The quickest way to generate multiple load level warnings and alerts (and potentially damage UPS electronics) is to power a laser printer using a UPS.
Ensure Complete Network Connectivity
Make sure that the UPS is configured to power all of the elements of your network. Any equipment involved in the replication of data, from servers to switches and routers, should be powered by the UPS.
A failure to power network switches, routers, firewalls, and any required telecommunications modems or routers during an outage, can result in the failure of the data replication and communications links, resulting in a loss of data.
Finally, a UPS has a relatively short service, so “setting and forgetting” a UPS system is not a good practice for the long term. Considering the complexities of properly configuring and maintaining such a critical system, as well as its critical business function, you may consider investing in the expertise to get it done right.
Considering the complexities of properly configuring and maintaining such a critical system, you may consider investing in the expertise to get it done right.
PSN offers business-class features with budget-friendly pricing. Contact me to see how we can support your business.
Philipp Emma | philipp@psntech.com | 313-715-3421 (cell)
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