Here's 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 The info listed in the bpowerd package concerning the INT-0027 cable appears to be obsolete; I infer that Best Power now use the single INT-0051 cable for all OSes; I sent email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] to confirm this cabling issue and have not had a reply. However the source code to the manufacturer's checkUPS program says: Enhancements V2.0: * Complete rewrite to support INT-0051 & INT-0027 cable!!! So I guess either cable is fine. Best Power Patriot $219 + $52 for INT-0051 cable 285 W dumb mode Only model that looks like a big power bar instead of a UPS! Best Power Patriot Pro $363 (includes cable) 250 W 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). - Kenneth Scharf <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> says the debian upsd package works quite well with their ups's in dumb mode. However he uses an older Back-ups 400 (not sold anymore) and I think he made his own cable (?). Do we have to make a cable to use upsd? - Brian White <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> has a Back-UPS Pro and it works with the genpower Debian package and the apc-pnp cable. He doesn't think the Back-UPS works with apcd (no smart signalling) or with standard genpower (different cable signals) but he says he could be wrong. APC Back-UPS BK500M $219 (Don't know if cable is included) 330 W dumb mode APC Back-UPS BK650M $335 (Don't know if cable is included) 400 W dumb mode - [EMAIL PROTECTED] can't get his Back-UPS 650 running under Debian apcd package (confirms what Brian White says). APC Back-UPS Pro 420 $397 260 W smart mode APC Smart-UPS 420 $417 260 W smart mode See web site for other models. ------------------- Unresolved issues: - Do APC Back-UPS 500 and 600 work with upsd? - Do APC Back-UPS 500 and 600 include a cable? - Do we have to make our own cable, or can we get one that works with upsd from APC? - Do we really want `smart' for $100 more with `Best Power'?
