To ensure that your system is available when you need it, you need to make sure that it has an adequate supply of power, and that it is protected in the event that power is lost.
Power requirements
Part of the planning process for your system is to ensure that you have an adequate power supply. You need to understand your server's requirements and then enlist the aid of a qualified electrician to help install the proper wiring, power cords, plugs and power panels. For details on how to ensure that your system has adequate power, see Plan for power.
Redundant power supplies
Some IBM® Systems are
designed with a fully redundant power system. A redundant power supply is
a feature that prevents an unplanned outage by providing power if one power
supply fails.
Some systems support a dual line cord feature.
This allows you to provide power to the system from two different external
power sources. This can avoid an unplanned outage if one power source fails.
Uninterruptible power supplies
Even when you have an adequate power supply, there are still times when you may lose power, such as during a storm. To prevent unplanned outages that result from losing power, you may need to invest in hardware specifically designed to keep your server going when power is lost. One such piece of hardware is an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). You can use a UPS to provide auxiliary power to your processor, disks, system console, and any other devices that you think are necessary. Uninterruptible power supplies provide the following advantages:
- Let you continue operations during brief power outages (brown outs).
- Protect the system from voltage peaks (white outs).
- Provide a normal end of operations in case of an extended power outage, which can reduce your recovery time when you restart your server. For information on how to write a program that will help you control your server’s shutdown in these conditions, see Control system shutdown using a power handling program.
For information on which uninterruptible power supplies are compatible with your server, see Uninterruptible power supply systems
Generator power
If you think you could experience an extended power failure, you might want to consider purchasing a generator. A generator goes a step further than a UPS in that it enables you to continue normal operations during longer power failures.