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Power to the people? To the computers would be nice!

Posted in Management on April 28, 2008 at 5:36 pm

I have just finished restarting the computer system after yet another power outage. I have lost count how many power issues we have experienced with our local on-site sub-station (not to mention the number of hours lost), which apparently when installed was going to bring ‘huge benefits’. I keep telling the powers that be that they are playing with fire as equipment really doesn’t take kindly to regular power failures (and then sudden power startups) but the nagging problems remain and praying the power will only be off for a short time doesn’t seem to work anymore.

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I have previously written about these power outages (Reflecting on the power outage) which have been going on for over a year now and have to reflect upon the latest bout in terms of the technology we have - which I will probably do in the car later (so if you pass someone on the roadside banging his head on the steering wheel it is probably me). Souping up the batteries on the UPS helps a little but they are there primarily to offer a brief window of extended use and to give enough time to shut everything down safely. Some of the previous reflections have been:

Being more vigilant with back-ups and recovery procedures
A better view of the systems from my desk (so I don’t waste valuable power time trudging around to various computers and devices)
Reliable mobile warning messages when the power goes off (and comes back on again) - primarily so I can get on with my life - still not found one!
Emergency kit to deal with system issues - getting bigger all the time (the kit not me)
Providing some emergency power to hot desks (so at least one or two users can get essential information for a while) - hooray done - but how many desk is enough?

At least the power is back up now and the systems are online so I can go and get a coffee out of the machine (hopefully that will not trip the power - fzzzt).