Server Powering

[Guest]

Hi, I'm planning on making a very very very important private network data center for storage and I heard about hot swappable power supplies. In addition to this, is there a way to always have a server running even in the event of a power outage? Like have a backup temporary power until the main power is functional again? 

[Zeke]

Sure, a diesel-powered generator, for example. Large data centers also have kinetic energy storage units to supply power for several minutes before generators hit their nominal power output.

[C_Mike]

You'll want to buy a UPS(uninterruptible power supply), which is essentially a large battery that will keep the server powered long enough to shut the server down safely if there is a complete power outage. 

[MG2R]

@Yames

 

Couple things:

1. Seeing that you need to ask this question on a tech forum and that you have "heard about hot swappable power supplies", I'm getting the feeling that you're quite new to the whole high-availability thing. Depending on the actual importance of this "very very very important" private network storage, it might be best getting help from a professional.
2. High-availability means cost. Hot-swappable power supplies means two power supplies which both have to be paid for, not only in purchase but also in maintenance (they'll both be online, so they'll both wear). Uninterruptible power supplies are costly, again both in purchase and in maintenance. Battery banks need their batteries checked and replaced periodically, diesel generators need maintenance, flywheels are relatively cheap in the long run but will only power your systems for a very very short amount of time (usually just enough to put battery banks online which will provide power long enough to power up the diesel generators).
3. In most cases you really don't need so high means of redundant power supply. I don't have much details about your specific use case but I'm guessing this either a home or a small office setup in which case you're probably able to survive short-term power breaks with a reasonable battery bank.
4. Keeping a server running does not equal staying productive. If this is a home or a small office, the costs of keeping a single server at 99.99% uptime are probably doable (maybe not justifiable, though ) but that doesn't include routers, switches, workstations, etc...
5. Try to use common sense. You can keep anything running with 99.99% uptime if you throw enough money at the problem, but is it worth all that cash? Costs of keeping something up and running rise exponentially which means you'll very soon see diminishing returns on your investment.

As I said: I don't know what your specific project/use case is, but I get the feeling you're not quite in touch with the practical solutions.

[Guest]

@Yames

 

Couple things:

1. Seeing that you need to ask this question on a tech forum and that you have "heard about hot swappable power supplies", I'm getting the feeling that you're quite new to the whole high-availability thing. Depending on the actual importance of this "very very very important" private network storage, it might be best getting help from a professional.
2. High-availability means cost. Hot-swappable power supplies means two power supplies which both have to be paid for, not only in purchase but also in maintenance (they'll both be online, so they'll both wear). Uninterruptible power supplies are costly, again both in purchase and in maintenance. Battery banks need their batteries checked and replaced periodically, diesel generators need maintenance, flywheels are relatively cheap in the long run but will only power your systems for a very very short amount of time (usually just enough to put battery banks online which will provide power long enough to power up the diesel generators).
3. In most cases you really don't need so high means of redundant power supply. I don't have much details about your specific use case but I'm guessing this either a home or a small office setup in which case you're probably able to survive short-term power breaks with a reasonable battery bank.
4. Keeping a server running does not equal staying productive. If this is a home or a small office, the costs of keeping a single server at 99.99% uptime are probably doable (maybe not justifiable, though ) but that doesn't include routers, switches, workstations, etc...
5. Try to use common sense. You can keep anything running with 99.99% uptime if you throw enough money at the problem, but is it worth all that cash? Costs of keeping something up and running rise exponentially which means you'll very soon see diminishing returns on your investment.

As I said: I don't know what your specific project/use case is, but I get the feeling you're not quite in touch with the practical solutions.

I'm new a little bit yeah and the reason I ask is because, there's not this much in depth information out there on youtube :\ Right now my main concern is having absolute control over a standard server with security and stuff 

[MG2R]

I'm new a little bit yeah and the reason I ask is because, there's not this much in depth information out there on youtube

That's because high availability usually doesn't come into play in home environments... The people that come in the need of HA usually already know how to do it or who to call

 

 

Right now my main concern is having absolute control over a standard server with security and stuff 

1. "a standard server" ? There's no such thing. Servers come in many different shapes, sizes, forms, and packages. They are powered by many different operating systems and run very different software. The term "server" actually just means that the machine serves content/offers services to another machine, so any system with a shared drive is technically a server.
2. "having absolute control over security" is pretty freaking easy: never hook it up to the internet and you'll never have any issue whatsoever with security. In any other case, there's always some security vulnerability.
3. "and stuff"... Again, it looks like you don't even know yourself what you want to do. What is it you're trying to do exactly and why is HA so important?

[dzonidev]

I'm new a little bit yeah and the reason I ask is because, there's not this much in depth information out there on youtube :\ Right now my main concern is having absolute control over a standard server with security and stuff 

 

Don't bother looking for this on youtube, because this is not a youtube type of deal. People go to very expensive courses and schools to be able to plan redundant networks, etc.. If you need "absolute control" over a server filled with "securty and stuff", colocate it. Also listen to what @MG2R says.

[Guest]

 

That's because high availability usually doesn't come into play in home environments... The people that come in the need of HA usually already know how to do it or who to call

 

 

1. "a standard server" ? There's no such thing. Servers come in many different shapes, sizes, forms, and packages. They are powered by many different operating systems and run very different software. The term "server" actually just means that the machine serves content/offers services to another machine, so any system with a shared drive is technically a server.
2. "having absolute control over security" is pretty freaking easy: never hook it up to the internet and you'll never have any issue whatsoever with security. In any other case, there's always some security vulnerability.
3. "and stuff"... Again, it looks like you don't even know yourself what you want to do. What is it you're trying to do exactly and why is HA so important?

 

It's not just a server, it's how the server comes into play with my already existing network, security for me has to be taken very carefully, and as you/I mentioned "and stuff" I am still planning and figuring out what needs to be done before full arrangements are made, I don't even have the processor picked out yet

[MG2R]

It's not just a server, it's how the server comes into play with my already existing network, security for me has to be taken very carefully, and as you/I mentioned "and stuff" I am still planning and figuring out what needs to be done before full arrangements are made, I don't even have the processor picked out yet

Well, good luck with whatever it is you're trying to accomplish. Without any concrete information, I'm afraid I can't give you any practical advice... :unsure: