New UPS for the server

[Darth Wong]

The server is now running on an APC Smart-UPS 1000. It's a nice-looking rack-mountable UPS which came with a serial port for communications (and a serial/USB converter for machines without serial ports, which came in handy for me because the Intel DP35DPM has a serial port header located between the fucking RAM slots, where it's too far for my serial port header cable to reach from the back of the case). Big improvement from that piece of shit Belkin UPS we had before, and it should hopefully cut down on the unexpected outages.

Also, I'm pleased to note that there is open-source software for communicating with the UPS now. Belkin kept its protocols secret, and discontinued support for Linux. APC has shitty Linux support too, but the open-source software takes care of that.

[The Kernel]

That's a good UPS. My dad has the APC Smart-UPS XL 2200VA for his media server and it has been bulletproof (although I don't know the quality of the open source drivers as he uses Windows). Even though his power is fairly consistent, he has been able to sustain months of uptime straight using the APC unit.

[Uraniun235]

I got a used Smart-UPS 1000 off eBay (not in the rackmount form factor, though), refurbished with a new battery. I've been extremely happy with it. The electronics are good enough that when the battery finally wears out, I may just buy a replacement battery.