Here's another update about what I have so far concerning this confusing UPS issue (prices in Canadian dollars). Thanks to all who contributed. Please email again if you have more info to add.
Peter ------------------- `Best Power' general comments (http://www.bestpower.com) - manufacturer has `free' Linux software which may be packaged for Debian soon (All I have found in the source are lines like: CheckUPS II BASIC V3.23Copyright (c)1985-99 by Best Power, All Rights Reserved. They'll need to clarify this). Both the dumb and smart models listed below use the same software download, which supports both `basic' and `advanced' programs for dumb and smart UPS. - bpowerd Debian pacakge does not currently support the INT-0051 cable packaged by Best Power for all OSes - The Patriot Pro II hat comes with cable seems to be the much better deal from Best Power: Best Power Patriot $219 + $52 for INT-0051 cable 250VA dumb mode (looks like a big power bar instead of a UPS) Best Power Patriot Pro II $304 (includes cable) 400VA smart mode Best Power Patriot Pro II $408 (includes cable) 750VA smart mode See web site for other models. ------------------- APC general comments (http://www.apcc.com/) - No manufacturer Linux software, but announced for Q3-99. - They have a Back-UPS line which appear to be dumb-mode only, and a more expensive Back-UPS Pro line (smart mode). - Brian White <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> has a Back-UPS Pro and it works with the genpower Debian package and the apc-pnp cable: `All models of APC from the Back-UPS Pro to the Matrix-UPS have the same interface and will work with the custom "apc-advanced" (which I designed) or the "apc-pnp" (standard cable from APC) cables. Both cables have the same dumb-signalling abilities but obviously the "apc-pnp" cable also supports the smart-signalling modes.' - The debian apcupsd package mentions all Back-UPS (dumb mode), Back-UPS Pro and Smart-UPS (both in smart mode), so it's a safe bet that they all work with this package. APC Back-UPS BK500M $199 + $40 for cable kit. 330 W dumb mode APC Back-UPS BK650M $335 + $40 for cable kit. 400 W dumb mode APC Back-UPS Pro 420 $397 (cable included?) 260 W smart mode APC Smart-UPS 420 $417 (cable included?) 260 W smart mode See web site for other models. ------------------- CyberPower general comments http://www.cyberpowersystems.com/ I only very recently discovered this company. I emailed them concerning Linux support and quickly exchanged about 10 emails with a very nice and helpful guy from the company. Their models all come with cable and Windows software. They pointed me to Linux software on the net written by Alberto Maria Segre from the University of Iowa. I have contacted him about making his software DFSG-free (currently educational purposes only) and he is very responsive about this. I will package it if I buy a CyberPower unit and the license changes. The units look somewhat like power bars. Power 99/500VA PnP US$89 at www.outpost.com Power99/720VA PnP US$99 at www.outpost.com CDN$230 at Future Shop stores (why so much more?) ------------------- To me, the CyberPower look pretty affordable, and the quick response from the company was impressive. I also like the Best Power Patriot Pro II 400 VA. It comes with Linux software direct from the company, and we can at least make an unofficial package from .dsc and .diff files if the license forbids us packaging it. Unresolved questions: - What do we get for smart mode? I presume more info about the state of the UPS and the line condition gets to the user software. But can the Linux software display it? -- Peter Galbraith, research scientist <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Maurice Lamontagne Institute, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada P.O. Box 1000, Mont-Joli Qc, G5H 3Z4 Canada. 418-775-0852 FAX: 775-0546 6623'rd GNU/Linux user at the Counter - http://counter.li.org/
