November 6, 2000

Integrated power supply management software enabling multi-platform shutdown Now on sale! "FULL BACK Manager Pro"

Sanken Electric Company has recently developed "FULLBACK Manager Pro" power supply management software. When used together with our company's"FULLBACK Series" UPS, the software enables integrated management of system power supplies, including shutdown of multiple computers using different OS, and monitoring/control over the network. Shipment of the WindowsTM version started on December 20 (Wed.) and the UNIX version will start shipping in the middle of February 2001. We plan to make a Linux version available via a free download from our Web site starting at the beginning of February 2001. (Please see here for details on compatible OS.)

1. Background

With the explosive dissemination of the Internet, computer networking has become a necessity in today's IT society -- in everything from business uses like EC, to personal uses like i-mode. For the computers which are crucial to support these networks, there are various application-specific server systems like web servers and file servers.In mission-critical systems, where 24-hour day and night operation is a necessary condition, there are severe requirements on reliability and usability. In addition to improving the performance of the server processor, various types of peripherals are also used to ensure stable system operation, including RAID, redundancy and clustering.

Our company's UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supplies) provide back-up during power outages, handle voltage fluctuations, and protect servers and peripheral equipment from a variety of power supply troubles through automatic shutdown. At the same time, they play a crucial role in protecting operational resources by preventing data loss and system stoppages.

In today's expanding computer network environment, the burden on system administrators has become huge -- with EC operations, night and day system changes, and networking of a proliferating number of small bases. UPS requirements include not only stable supply of power, but also handling more sophisticated power management and use, like power supply monitoring, control and automatic operation for the entire network. At our company, we have previously had a line-up of software and interfaces for power supply management, which were used together with UPS for both PC-based and UNIX-based systems. However, due to the aforementioned circumstances, we have developed the new "FULLBACK Manager Pro" which reduces the burden on system administrators in large-scale dispersed networks, and achieves integrated power supply operation and management with high usability.


2. Price

List price ¥15,000

3. Sales plan

5,000 units/year

5. Product overview

FULLBACK Manager Pro greatly improves on the functions of our previous products. It has improved operation, improved functions for monitoring, warning and log recording, and particular attention has been paid to burden reduction and improved convenience for system administrators in network systems like LAN and WAN environments.

(1) Comprehensive shutdown functions
  The software performs automatic shutdown of the system according to a preset procedure in situations like power outages etc.
Multi-platform shutdown
The computers connected to a single UPS can be set as "masters" or "slaves", thereby enabling control tasks like shutdown of multiple computers and different OS.
These masters and slaves can be grouped as "units", and multiple units can be set as larger blocks. This enables auto shutdown, scheduled operation and restarting of unit groups, and simultaneous shutdown and restarting in block units, so the system can be centrally managed in more comprehensive units.
UPS monitoring and resetting can also be done from FULLBACK Manager Pro on any computer in the network.
 
Application shutdown
  A specific application file can be saved prior to OS shutdown
 
User command execution
  A command file designated by the user can be executed prior to OS shutdown.
 
Two types of shutdown control are possible
  It is possible to independently set shutdown control for emergencies like power failures, and shutdown control for routine scheduled operation.
 
Auto-reboot/Auto-restart
  After shutdown starts, it is finished even if power is restored midway.Also, the UPS automatically stops after shutdown, and automatically restarts after power is restored. (Auto-reboot is a function for automatically restarting after stopping the UPS once.) (Auto-restart is a function for automatically restarting the UPS when power is restored after the UPS stops due to a power failure.)
*Automatic starting may be impossible with some computers (using software switches).
 
Enables 2-system separate power supply (Compatible with FULLBACK SMU Series only)
  At auto-shutdown for power failures and at start-up, UPS power supply and cut-off timing settings can be separated into two systems, thereby enabling sequential start-up and sequential shutdown of the system.
 
(2) Remote monitoring from the network reduces the burden on system administrators
  Using communication with "FULLBACK Manager Pro" at other nodes, and support for SNMP and HTTP functions, it is possible to monitor the status of UPS for a LAN or WAN, from an SNMP manager or web browser at any location on the network. This reduces the burden on system administrators.
SNMP support
  The software has SNMP agent functions. It can respond to Get, Set and GetNext commands from an SNMP manager, and can also perform Trap send.
* The software supports RFC1628 (UPS MIB), Sanken Expansion MIB and JEMA-MIB (Japan Electric Manufacturing Association specification).(Registration of MIB for the SNMP manager is necessary)
 
HTTP support
  The software has HTTP server functions, so UPS status can be accessed from a web browser and it is possible to check measurements and various types of event information.
 
Communication within "FULLBACK Manager Pro"
  Using communication between FULLBACK Manager Pro software distributed through the network, it is possible to monitor UPS status remotely, and change various parameter settings.
 
(3) Support for speedy response to events using a mail send function
  Using 44 types of events as a trigger, the software can send mail, notify a pager (beeper etc.) or execute commands, thereby enabling speedy warning and notification to the system administrator.
Mail send, pocket bell notification
  When an event occurs, a preset message is sent via mail or a beeper.
 
Customized message content
  The message displayed for each event can be customized.
 
Broadcasting
  When an event occurs, it is possible to broadcast the same message to the set UPS block.
 
User command execution
  User commands can be defined and executed for each event.
 
(4) Various types of log management enable precise understanding of the cause of trouble
  UPS status and warnings are constantly monitored, and information is recorded for power failures and other events. Electric quantity measurement data is also recorded, effective for solving problems.
Event log
  For each event, time and the content of an event can be recorded in the log individually.
 
Measurement log
  This records electrical data such as the input voltage and load factor.
 
State threshold management
  Threshold values can be set for electric quantity data (such as input voltage), so that abnormal values can be recorded in the event log while notifying the system administrator.
 
(5) Various scheduling functions
  UPS scheduled operation enables automatic unmanned control of the system.
Weekly schedule
  Enables schedule setting in weekly units.
 
Yearly schedule
  Enables schedule setting up to a specific day two years in the future using a calendar display.
 
Multiple schedules for the same day
  For start and end, schedule setting can be entered for up to 3 events in one day.
Automatic starting may be impossible with some computers (using soft switch).
 
<Compatible OS> OS Version
OS Version
Windows Windows98 SecondEdition
WindowsMe  
WindowsNT 4.0+SP5,4.0+SP6a
Windows2000 Professional
Windows2000 Server
Windows2000 Advanced Server
Each SP1
UNIX AIX 4.3.3
Solaris 2.6,2.7,2.8
HP-UX 11.0
PC-Solaris 2.6, 2.7,2.8
Linux Redhat Linux 6.2
Turbo Linux 6.0
Open Linux 2.3
FreeBSD 4.0

<Compatible UPS FULLBACK Series>
Model name Capacity Main applications
SHU 0.7-1.5kVA PC, PC server, work station Office business department, Group system, Truck system
SMU 0.75-3kVA PC server, UNIX server
SAU 2-10kVA Office server, Main frame


<List of main functions>
Function
New product
FULLBACK Manager Pro
compatible UPS
(FULLBACK Series)
Conventional product
SHU
SMU SAU
LanSafe/FailSafeIII
FULLBACKManager
Various shutdowns
Multi-platform shutdown
Application shutdown
User command execution
2-type shutdown control
Auto-reboot/Auto-restart
Various schedules
Weekly schedule
Yearly schedule
Multiple schedules for the same day
Comprehensive remote monitoring
Communication between FULLBACK Manager Pro
Some
SNMP agent
HTTP server
Flexible event customization
Mail send
Beeper notification
Message customization
Broadcasting in block
Battery replacement warning
Strong log management function
Event log
Measurement log
State threshold management
Log file output
Graphical state monitoring
UPS state monitoring
Parameter bar graph display
Battery back-up time display
Battery remaining life display
Functional operation control
Separate power supply function
Group control using blocks
Other
All Japanese OS compatible
Some
Setting file remote transfer
 
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