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FAQs about Powersafe
General
1. What is Powersafe? What is UPS Management Software?
Powersafe is software that monitors and manages UPS equipment. UPS management software allows your operations team to set up an automated process for monitoring, controlling, testing, and managing this vital equipment so that they don't need to do this manually. It allows your company to be better prepared for power fluctuations, common in many states, and power outages, a source of renewed concern in the US.
2. How does Powersafe manage UPS equipment?
Powersafe is software that resides on one server on your network and in real-time senses all network-connected UPS equipment. Powersafe monitors this equipment continuously for alerts and alarms, and allows you to set up ways to automatically manage the UPS equipment. This automated or proactive management includes automated testing of equipment on a periodic basis, automated shutdown under conditions you specify, and automated actions - such as issuing a trouble ticket - based on conditions you specify. See Powersafe Features for the many management features.
UPS Equipment
3. What manufacturer brands of UPS can Powersafe manage?
APC, Liebert, MGE, and Powerware - the four dominate manufacturers of UPS worldwide.
4. Can Powersafe manage single-phase and three-phase equipment?
Yes, it makes no difference to Powersafe.
5. Can I manage my entire network of UPS? Is there any limit to the number of UPS equipment I can manage?
You can manage all networked UPS. There is no limit.
Networking
6. What network does Powersafe use to monitor UPS equipment?
Powersafe uses the standard data network you use to connect and manage your other computing equipment. Powersafe uses standard SNMP protocol to "see" your UPS equipment. Powersafe sees any UPS gear with a SNMP connection via your local area and wide area network. In addition, Powersafe can see selective UPS gear with a serial connection, and that is properly connected to the network.
7. What is automatic discovery of UPS?
Powersafe automatically senses when a new UPS is plugged into the network because Powersafe uses standard network protocols and features. This eliminates any manual intervention by the operations team to identify new equipment to Powersafe. Automatic discovery also lets you know exactly what equipment is connected, so the operations team has complete management of all UPS assets.
Enterprise Management Integration
8. Why does Powersafe integrate into enterprise management software such as CA Unicenter and HP OpenView?
Powersafe integrates into the leading enterprise management software so that you can manage UPS just as you manage servers and other computing equipment. UPS is the first line of defense protecting your company's data assets and servers. Therefore, we believe this equipment should have the same quality of management capability that you have for your servers and computing infrastructure. Because companies invest significant money into their enterprise management and network management software, we believe you should exploit this software fully by integrating solutions like Powersafe into the way you already manage IT.
Other Software Options
9. My existing UPS manufacturer gives me free software. What does this do that the free software does not?
The UPS Manufacturers either give you or sell you software that only manages their brand of equipment. Which means you are required to install, learn, and run different applications for each UPS brand you own. Many companies, particularly large ones, own at least two brands.
In addition, you cannot integrate the manufacturer's software with your enterprise or network management software. This means you will not be able to manage all computing and UPS equipment from one console.
The other limitations of manufacturer's software are considerable, and unacceptable for any company that requires adequate preparation and protection against power problems. Manufacturer's software typically provides only rudimentary UPS management capabilities. Powersafe is a vendor-neutral, full-featured, and robust UPS management tool that protects your company valuable computing equipment and corporate data.
10. If I already have network management software, what does Powersafe do that I can't already do?
While you might be able to get an alarm from a UPS through your existing network software, this capability is extremely limited. You have no way to proactively test UPS equipment, you have no way to set up proactive management actions, and you have no way to be prepared before an alarm sounds. The most network management software by itself gives you is the time to answer that alarm, which is typically a very short period of time.
11. Why would I want UPS management software when I can use Building Management Software?
Building Management software's strength is managing many types of equipment, yet this software's weaknesses usually include non-standard, proprietary equipment network, limitation of managing only one brand of UPS, and the large expense of complex software and installation.
Data Center UPS
12. Why would I need UPS management software when I have so many technical people on staff in my data center?
Most companies expect more and more from their technical staff, and are often looking for ways to do more with less through proactive management software. Fighting "fires" probably already consumes a lot of your technical staff's time. Further, the time to fix some power problems comes down to minutes in many cases. The lesson from the recent US blackout and the experience in states like California where power quality is highly uneven, is that being better prepared is a requirement not a nicety.
Installation and System Requirements
13. How long does it take to install Powersafe?
A few hours typically. Installing Powersafe on a management server is generally routine and can either by done by Opdex technical staff or, if you prefer, done by you, guided by us. Installation requires more time when a customer wishes to connect distributed serial devices where little information is readily available about their location and connection to computing equipment.
14. What operating system do I need and what are the system requirements?
Powersafe has more options than any other UPS management solution due to our company's philosophy of open and common standards. See Powersafe System Requirements.
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POWERSAFE
benefits
