[mythtv-users] UPS with mythbuntu

Simon Hobson linux at thehobsons.co.uk
Tue Feb 24 18:00:12 UTC 2015


Mike Perkins <mikep at randomtraveller.org.uk> wrote:

> One note: I initially put *everything* on my UPS but discovered it didn't like my laser printer. This is because it pulls too much power on startup.

You aren't the first to find this - though normally if the lights go out, you aren't too worried about printing.

> Everything else, however, including all the ethernet switches, is run through the UPS. No point having a master / slave system if the boxes can't talk to each other!

Indeed, I've seen a few "professional" installations where some vital bit of kit is not on the UPS. PBXs are a good candidate for that, PBX on UPS, telcos network termination kit on other side of room (or even different room) and just plugged into wall socket.

If you have smallish batteries and a shortish runtime, then also look at the UPS settings carefully. Many have a setting so they won't turn back on until the batteries are partially recharged. There's a tradeoff - if you go for a longer time before shutdown, there'll be less charge in the batteries when your done. If the UPS starts up as soon as the mains comes back, then it might not have enough charge left to shut everything down again if the power goes off again. It's not uncommon for the power to come back on and then go off again a short time later.

Another thing to consider when planning the shutdown strategy is what happens if the power comes back before it's all shut down. If you have a "reach trigger point, issue shutdown to everything, turn off UPS" setup then it may well be OK. But if you get different systems to shutdown at different points - you will either have to start some systems up manually, or have the UPS restart everything (and cycle it's power outlet) to get the already shutdown systems back up.



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