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COST-EFFECTIVE POWER
PROTECTION ... A MATTER OF PLANNING
With today's complex and growing networks, Network Managers
cannot simply buy UPS ... they must configure protection.
And for many, that means going back to square one to analyse
just what their network means to the enterprise and what levels
of protection it requires. Building a cost-effective UPS plan
requires far more than simply totaling the wattage of the
equipment to be protected. Every network has its own unique
power needs. A UPS that works well for a few PC's is probably
not the right choice for an industrial application. And the
enterprise network with hundreds of nodes needs different
protection than an inbound tele-marketing center. There are
four basic steps in any network protection plan, and a number
of factors that need to be considered within each step.
Step One: Analysis
The simplest way to analyse network protection is to ask,
"What happens to the enterprise if the network goes down?"
Answers to that question will lead to specific conclusions
about the levels of protection needed. These are also specific
issues that should be reviewed in detail. These include:
UPS Technology and Criticality
UPS systems range from inexpensive off-line to full-featured
on-line systems. For mission-critical uses, on-line is the
preferred choice. But protecting servers is not the end of
the job. Hubs, routers, workstations, - PC's and peripherals
need protection as well. Even if their use is not mission-critical,
an unexpected failure could trigger a domino effect that brings
down the network. Using less expensive line-interactive UPS
to protect some network nodes can be an economical alternative,
providing not only outage protection, but also greater resistance
to brownout conditions.
Load size Today? Tomorrow?
Many networks change dramatically over a single year. Figure
power protection requirements as far into the future as possible,
and where possible identify how power use can be clustered
onto larger, more full-featured UPS. You may be able to reduce
your total cost per VA, and at the sometime reduce the need
for expensive re-configurations in the future.
Battery Time
If you need enough time for network hardware to be safely
shut down, five minutes may be adequate. If you need to ride
through almost all outages, or if you require complete continuity
of operation, extended battery time - even back-up generators
- must be a part of the plan. And, since today's ordinary
system may become tomorrow's mission- critical application,
you may want to consider a UPS that allows battery time upgrades.
UPS Control, Monitoring And Communications
UPS that is communications-ready can become an active part
of the network under the direction of your network management
software. The capabilities range from software that allows
safe shutdown of unattended workstations, all the way to interactive
SNMP communication and control that makes the UPS an intelligent
part of the network.
Risks Other Than Power
Some systems, especially those that are, mission-critical,
may also need protection from heat, humidity, dust and tampering.
Ordinary office space does not afford this protection, especially
if the air conditioning is off during the night or over the
weekend. If these are concerns, consider a full-featured,
portable enclosure.
Step Two: Configuration
Pencil and paper work well here. The goal is to configure
cost-effective power protection onto your network as it exists
today ... then extends that design into the future. If you
can develop even a rough picture of your network's future,
chances are good that you can make effective use of every
UPS regardless of network shape or size. A lack of planning,
however, could condemn you to a series of costly investments
that are no longer useful or cost effective as your network
grows. When charting the network and configuring protection,
take into account criticality, communications, growth and
any special needs. To keep start-up costs to a minimum, you
can also begin by protecting only the server, and expand both
the scope and sophistication of your protection overtime.
Step Three: lnstallation, Training, Maintaining
Once the configuration plan is complete and you are ready
to implement the plan, acquire and install the power protection
hardware. But remember ... there is no such thing as "set
and forget" power protection. You need to train network
users on the monitoring, alarm, shutdown and restart protocols
of the network power protection. And to work effectively over
time, UPS must be maintained properly. This is especially
true in areas where the system switches to battery power frequently
due to recurring outages or over-voltages. Batteries can lose
capacity fast under these conditions, and when the power really
does go down, you may not have time for a safe network shutdown.
Step Four: Review
Plans change. Networks grow in new directions. What was an
inconvenience today may become mission-critical tomorrow.
Make sure your power protection plan keeps up with your network-computing
plan. It's cheaper & safer.
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