Power for ISP and ASP Mission Critical Servers

Uninterruptable power supply offers redundant power with no single point of failure.

by Wayne Kawamoto [April 28, 2000]

MGE UPS recently introduced its Pulsar Esprit Power Cluster family of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) designed for the needs of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Application Service Providers (ASPs).

With a selection of power ratings between 3kVA to 13.5kVA, the units are designed to protect clusters of three to 15 critical servers along with their peripherals (peripherals can include storage and backup devices). According to the company, the systems are based on scalable building blocks, which lets users configure units to provide unlimited backup time with options for redundant batteries and chargers to assure maximum reliability and rapid recharging. The modular design also enables users to increase power ratings or levels of redundancy, as well as battery backup times, as requirements grow.

In addition to providing redundancy, the company claims that the new systems enhance total power availability with infinitely expandable battery options and a suite of unsurpassed "Internet-grade" monitoring and communications features that include Windows 2000 integration and XML Web-based management. For this, the Esprit models come with a suite of communications capabilities that use the first USB interface that's available on a server-grade UPS, or its RS232 port.

MGE says that the Windows 2000 CD includes drivers that automatically install a dedicated power panel that secures the operating system during prolonged blackouts. Using XML tags to perform automatic actions, users can remotely control and monitor the UPS via the Web, unlike previous HTTP-based software that could only display status and alarm information. And when the Esprit UPS is connected to any Windows NT/2000 server that's loaded with MGE's XML @gent software, users can assign automatic actions based on power-related events via their Web browsers.

The design also enables installation by non-technical personnel with simple interconnects, standard power outlets, and plug-in convenience up to 9kVA. Users have a choice of 5U (8.75-inch high) rack-mount or low-profile freestanding configurations.

Pricing and Availability
The Pulsar Esprit Power Cluster starts at $1,699 in a single UPS configuration, and costs $3,398 for a fully redundant power cluster. The systems feature a two-year warranty and come with a $35,000 equipment protection warranty.

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