What is an Uninterruptible Power Supply?
A UPS device is integral for any organization that prioritizes data redundancy and retainment. As explained by Wikipedia:
An uninterruptible power supply, also uninterruptible power source, UPS or battery/flywheel backup, is an electrical apparatus that provides emergency power to a load when the input power source, typically mains power, fails. A UPS differs from an auxiliary or emergency power system or standby generator in that it will provide near-instantaneous protection from input power interruptions, by supplying energy stored in batteries, supercapacitors, or flywheels. The on-battery runtime of most uninterruptible power sources is relatively short (only a few minutes) but sufficient to start a standby power source or properly shut down the protected equipment.
The easiest way to explain how a UPS works is by providing an example. What would happen if your business were to suddenly lose power due to an electrical storm, flood, or other natural disaster? With no electricity, your machines would forcibly be powered down and rendered inoperable until the power returns. Naturally, this isn’t ideal, but the primary problem that the UPS is designed to address is the loss of data due to workstations and servers not being shut down properly.
To prevent this, the UPS supplies the servers and workstations with enough power to properly save all files in use, and properly shut down the machines. The UPS then sends a message to the server indicating that it’s safe to turn off. Unexpected power outages can lead to data loss and even hardware failure, so a UPS is vital to ensuring the integrity of both your data systems and mission-critical hardware.
What Kind of UPS Should You Get?
Just like any piece of hardware that your business uses, UPS devices come in various models and different price tags. It’s best to consult a technology expert like those at Aspire before committing to purchasing new hardware of any kind. In general terms, though, you want a UPS that you can rely on to get the job done right. If you’re looking for a solution that simply offers a safe shutdown procedure on a desktop, it will be a much different kind of UPS than one designed for use by a mission-critical server. This is why it’s important to do your research and consult a professional before making a choice.
Having a data backup and disaster recovery plan is a critical part of ensuring that your business can continue in the face of hardships of all kinds. This includes having a proper data backup solution, which takes regular snapshots of your business’s data, and sends them to a secure off-site data center and the cloud for redundancy. You also need a way to rapidly deploy your backups in a moment’s notice.
Aspire has all of the tools your business needs to ensure data redundancy and mitigate the losses suffered by unexpected power outages and hardware failures. To learn more about how we can improve the way you do business, give Aspire a call at (469) 7-ASPIRE.
