system administrator
noun Computing
"a person who manages the operation of a computer system, such as an electronic bulletin board."

IT Watchdogs SuperGoose (WxGoos-2) Review

Posted: August 25th, 2010 | Author: cense | Filed under: Reviews | Tags: , , , | 2 Comments »

Some time ago it became apparent that we would require environmental monitoring in our server room. The primary reason being that our server room was never initially intended to be a server room and the after-the-fact A/C unit installation (size, vent placement, etc.) is definitely less than optimal. Not to mention the A/C unit is likely overloaded as well, judging by some of the data we gathered after installing the environmental monitoring equipment and software. Basically, I needed to be made aware of any potential problems with the environment in that room so that should anything go wrong, I can act quickly. A secondary use of the data is to trend the environment changes in order to reveal specific patterns that may help with long-term planning.


IBM Changed UPS Vendors

Posted: March 30th, 2010 | Author: cense | Filed under: Sysadmin | Tags: , , , , , | No Comments »

Just recently, I discovered that IBM decided to quietly switch their UPS vendor from APC to Eaton (Powerware). We needed to replace a dead IBM UPS 3000 XHV (SmartUPS-3000) and so I ordered a new IBM UPS, the UPS 3000 HV (Eaton 5125). Upon receiving the UPS, I noticed that the battery and power module were rather different. So I boot up the UPS and start configuring the web management card and it hits me… this isn’t an APC UPS, it’s an Eaton! ARG! Why?!? WHY?!? :’(

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