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Date:      Tue, 16 Jul 96 20:39:15 EDT
From:      gtc@aloft.att.com (gary.corcoran)
To:        hackers@freebsd.org
Subject:   Re: APC ups monitor?
Message-ID:  <9607170039.AA10037@stargazer>

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>   > 	The folks at APC *sell* monitor software for there ups. Has
>   > anybody had any experience hacking up a perlscript ( or whatever ) that
>   > visits the serial port and listens to what the ups has to say? The APC-ups
>   > software only comes for NT, AS/400, vines, netware, etc, so buying the
>   > software is out of the question.
>
>   The folks at APC also sell the *spec* on the communication protocol used 
>   between the UPS and the PC.  For $50 and a signed N.D.A., they will send
>   you a book describing how it works.
>
>I know this doesn't help you out of the current situation, but I
>recently bought some Best Power UPS equipment for the very reason you
>are now encountering: Best Power provides the communication specs free
>of charge (you can also pay for source code for a small monitoring
>program), whereas APC does not.  It seemed reasonable to support those
>who make the information accessible!

Your info on Best Power is a little old... it's much better now!
Best Power also used to charge for their UPS monitoring/shutdown software,
but competition is a wonderful thing (mostly competition from APC, I believe).

As of April, they now give you a *free* software CD with the UPSs they sell.
Not only does it have monitoring programs for all the Win* versions, SCO,
etc., but it also includes *source code* for compilation on "other" unixes.

And, if you already have a Best UPS, you can download _any_ of the monitoring
and shutdown programs, including the unix source code version, from
http://www.bestpower.com/

(Note: you need a custom serial cable to connect the Best UPS to a serial
 port on your PC.  I understand the new UPSs come with the cable.  If you
 want to roll your own cable, either contact Best tech support [see their
 web site] or send me email)

(No, I have no connection with Best, I just like their products)

Gary

Gary.Corcoran@lucent.com




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