Picture this…you wake to the unfamiliar sound of silence, it seems that there has been a power outage during the night and your alarm clock has failed to activate. Running late, you arrive at the office and start up your machine, only to find that you cannot log into the network. An inspection of the server indicates that it shut down incorrectly and will not restart.

During the night a power surge hit your area, excessively high voltage has damaged all hardware utilising mains power. Your phone system is inoperable and the delicate components of your server are damaged. As a result of this power surge your irreplaceable business data appears to be gone.

The impact of a power outage or surge can have a devastating impact on your business, damaged hardware, lost data and downtime are often the result. Power surges and outages occur more frequently than we’d like to believe. In fact, research indicates that the average Australian PC is subjected to 128 power problems per month. Power disturbances cannot be eliminated, but using an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) can prevent the damage they cause to networks and ultimately your business.

A UPS protects your valuable hardware and business critical data from damaging blackouts, brownouts and power surges. These events are often due to uncontrollable factors such as wildlife, vehicle damage and vandalism.

Types of power problems and the assistance a UPS can provide.

Blackouts
A blackout is a situation where your business has no mains power AT ALL. Without a UPS your server will switch off immediately resulting in downtime, and possibly lost data due to the abrupt nature of the shutdown on the server. A UPS protects against these incidents by supplying network-grade power back up, giving your server plenty of time to save data and shut down correctly.

Brownouts
Brownouts occur when the power voltage drops significantly due to the electrical infrastructure becoming overloaded. A UPS compensates for this power loss by providing an even supply of power, ensuring continued system operation and safeguarding against damage.

Power Surges
Potentially the most damaging of all, power surges or spikes occur when dangerously high levels of voltage enter your system. A power surge will damage IT systems, hardware, and devices as these devices are not designed for such high voltage levels. A UPS absorbs this extra voltage and ensures that the power entering your system remains at a safe constant at all times.

How does a UPS work?
A UPS is a large external “battery” that supplies network grade power backup when a power failure occurs, or boosts the voltage when it drops, and absorbs excess voltage during a spike. With a UPS, a server can continue operating under any of the above circumstances. When used with appropriate software, a UPS will safely store your data and shut down your server operating system before the battery is fully discharged, whether you’re in the office or not.

A UPS should be installed on all hardware that stores valuable data, and all other high-end peripherals and devices. In most cases this will include your network server, however it may be wise to install a UPS on any business critical hardware such as networking and communications equipment, network printers and other important devices.

How does a Surge Protector work?
Surge Protectors are used to protect electrical equipment from power surges as they regulate the flow of electricity. They do not however provide any ability to supplement the power supply if it drops or cuts out. Surge protectors offer affordable protection and are suitable for use with home computers and very small offices not wishing to invest in a UPS.

The benefits of Power Protection

Valuable data is protected
Power disturbances are the single largest cause of data loss, accounting for over 45% of data problems. Businesses often rely too heavily on back up assuming that all data will be recoverable in the event of a power surge. Although in some cases this correct, back up procedures need to be constantly monitored to ensure data is being backed up effectively and properly.

Taking a proactive approach to data security by addressing the underlying causes of lost data can enhance data protection. A power surge is one of these underlying causes of lost data, a cause that can be eliminated through the installation of a UPS. Replacing hardware, reinstalling software and recovering data all result in business downtime, lost productivity and ultimately impacts your bottom line. The cost of this downtime should be compared to the relatively small investment in a UPS.

Hardware is protected
If your business experiences a power surge, it is very likely that server and workstation hard drives will be irreparably damaged. Other components such as the motherboard and power supplies may also be rendered inoperable. Without a UPS, your business faces the costly and time-consuming exercise of replacing damaged hardware, and having systems and devices rebuilt to their former configuration. A very costly exercise both time wise and financially.

You avoid reinstalling software
With a damaged hard drive, all software installed on the machine will require reinstallation. This includes the operating system and specific applications such as in house accounting packages. The effect of a complete reinstallation is extended downtime (staff cannot access business critical applications) and lost settings and software configurations, and ultimately has a substantial impact on your businesses bottom line.

Make it your business to ensure you are protected against power problems.

© Copyright Newpath IT Pty Ltd, 2006