1., the basic functions of UPS intelligent management and communication

Intelligent management and communication system are consist of a series of UPS software and intelligent accessories. With the help of the management software and smart accessories, the system maintenance personnel may understand the running status of UPS equipment and the whole power supply system, like what has already occurred, what is happening, what problems may occur next, and it has real-time system management functions which can improve the availability of UPS and the whole power supply system. All this work can be done automatically.

(1) Prediction of UPS and power supply system of potential problems

This actually refers to diagnosis and prediction function of UPS software and smart accessories . These can be automatically done by the software, intelligent accessories, and also by the system administrator, these two aspects are complementary to each other. In general, UPS software and smart accessories can automatically run regular test about the state of UPS components such as the inverter, charger and battery, once it discovers potential problems, it will notify the system administrator to take measures before hand. At the same time, the administrator can also run remote detection of UPS through the UPS software and smart accessories.

(2) Real-time alarm and remote diagnosis

This refers to the event notification and report generation function of UPS software and smart accessories. This kind of function can inform the administrator different kinds of UPS power problems through various remote methodst, so that the administrator could take corresponding measures, and the collected data and the abnormal event reports can be used for analysis. Obviously, if the system administrator can get timely warning or notification of events, accurately judge the real reasons of the fault according to the collected data and the formation of abnormal event report, it can shorten the fault repair and system recovery time to a certain extent.

(3) in time response of malfuction

In many cases, something unexpected may happen. For example, there are two days’ power cut caused by typhoon, while most company’s UPS battery can supply two hour’s power, and it is impossible to increase battery temporarily. Therefore, UPS software is required to close the computer application,database and operating system safely before the battery runs out, so that it can ensure the integrity of the system and data, and the system can be restored after outage with the shortest recovery time. In addition, if the UPS loads not only the server, router and other key equipment of TT, it also loads PC, displays, lighting equipment, fax machines and printers, the administrator can use UPS software and smart accessories to remote shut-off the non critical equipment such as PC, lighting equipment, fax machines, printers and other equipment and try to run time servers and other key equipment as long as possible. In many cases, this is also an important method to improve the system availability.

In conclusion, UPS software and smart accessories can provide additional management which can extend the functions of system administrator , it can complete some work huanm cannot do in many cases. In this way, the system administrator can solve the problems before it occurs, alarmwith the fastest speed when problems occurs, so that maintenance personnel can take timely measures, it could automatic execution protection function even though unattended operation. All of these can shorten the fault detection, repair and recovery time to a certain extent, and improve the usability of the system.

2. specific requirements for the power management software and accessory

The realization of the basic functions of the UPS intelligent management and communication is mainly reflected in the power management software and smart accessories, while power management software and intelligent attachmentshoule be organic integrated with mainstream computer operating platform and network management system. In fact, thanks to the integration of computer network system, the role of power management software and intelligent accessories can be reflected. The specific requirements for power management software and intelligent attachments can be summarized as follows.

(1) Automatic alarm function

When the UPS software and accessories detect fault of UPS system, it can inform the system administrator through management software and intelligent automatic accessory in time, and management personnel can be notified and they can take corresponding measures in the shortest time, it has become one of the most important measures to shorten the recovery time. There are several way of alarm, including email, paging, popup message, voice, mobile phone short message etc..

(2) Automatic protection function

When the UPS system fails to work or the battery is running out, the customized data protection function of UPS software and smart accessories will be performed and applications,database and operating system can be safely shut down, , so as to ensure the integrity and recovery of data and system. In addition, the user can customize the automatic closing function of specific program according to the needs . More especially, effective data recovery (fault repair / recovery time) is important for improving system availability, it represents the merits of UPS management.

(3) UPS running state and fault prediction and diagnosis

At present, the advanced UPS are equipped with special management software and smart accessories (i.e. interface / protocol converter), and provide the function of UPS self checking, and test the state of UPS’s main components (including inverter, charger, battery and control unit)before problem occur. This is one of the effective measures to prevent UPS fault.

(4) UPS remote diagnosis and maintenance

The software and smart accessories [such as WebDeviceManager -- a equipment management software based on Web, PowerNetSNMPManager -- a software based on SNMP protocol ,Call-UPS --a UPS management accessories through telephone line, Web/SNMPCard -- a method based on Web and SNMP management of accessories, that provide UPS remote monitoring, UPS status checking, UPS early warning information, battery calibration test, all these functions can take measures in UPS system before a failure, this is a method that prevent UPS fault by UPS software and intelligent accessories. This type of function is favored by computer administrator and also very easy to grasp.

(5) Maximized UPS run - time control

At present, this kind of product is not much, while there are very good programmes. For example, MasterSwitch intelligent power distribution accessories, when the electricity fails the system administrator can shut down those non core equipment with greater power consumption (such as a printer and so on) through remote operation, and ensure that the core equipment (such as server, router) to maintain the longest running. It can not only improve the usability of the system, but also greatly reduce the power consumption of the system, reduce the operation cost of the system.

(6) Set the system operation authority

UPS software and smart accessories can provide switch time setting and different levels of permissions for the operation requirs of high security to prevent the illegal operationof the users and the system administrator and supervisor can obtain the right of different management and operation.

(7) Improve the availability of the power supply system

For medium and small users demanding usability but with limited budget , it is a challenge for UPS manufacturer to provide the right solution through the software and accessories. Such as combined use of RedundantSwitch and UPS, it can choice to supply between two mutual backup UPS, and also can add an additional high reliable bypass switch for a small power (3-5kVA) UPS, that promoted UPS system availability to 99.999%. This is the highest availability of UPS solution for medium and small users.

(8) Data collection and report generation

The importance of data collection and report generation is that it is a powerful method for fault analysis and diagnosis, it can help the administrators found the problem existed in power environment and UPS systems, and take the corresponding measure. Sometimes, we can find out the problem through data analysis, and help users and UPS manufacturers, power / computer network system service provider make clear of each other's responsibility, reduce unnecessary excuse, it can be used as a basis for judgment of legal responsibility. Unfortunately, most administrators fail to recognize the importance of data analysis and report generation in UPS system, andt lack of comprehensive understanding of their own power system, it is too late until the problem happens.

(9) Improve the reliability of data transmission

In order to improve the availability of power related system in computer network system, ensure UPS provides continuous power supply, at the same time, we should emphasize the safety and reliability of the whole network path, and develope a series of products to protect suppress the surge of the infringement, so as to improve the stability of the whole network system of the computer work.

(10) Requirements of the power software compatibility

In order to make the power management system integrated in network management system, UPS management software and intelligent accessories should support the industry's most popular operating system, network management software, applications and standards, such as MicrosoftWindows95/98/NT/2000, NetWare, Unix, Linux; HP OpenView, SunNetManager, IBMNetView/Tivoli, CAUnicenterTNG, CabletronSpectrum, CiscoWorks2000; SNMPMIB-II, Telnet FIP, InternetExplorer, MIBBrowser, etc..

In this way, users can manage the UPS system in the LAN, Wan, Internet and Intranet levels, thus increased ease of use of the system.

(11) Safety requirements for power supply software and accessories

The security of power software and attachment should keep in pace with the development of Internet, such as supporting browsers remote management using the standard Web UPS system to meet the 4A standard (Anywhere, Anywhen, Anyone, Anything) and MD5 level security.

3. The type and configuration of UPS communication interface, software, intelligent accessories

With the application requirements and the gradual development, UPS management software and smart accessories has improved, UPS with different brands and manufacturers are not the same. Here, take current mature and successful application in the system , introduces the UPS management software and intelligent accessories function.

Intelligent management and communication function of UPS is realized through various communication interfaces. Different application needs UPS to provide different communication interfaces to support. Good management performance of UPS should provide all kinds of communication interface for the user's. The following is a detailed description of common UPS system communication interface types and basic communication protocol.

(1) RS -232/485 serial communication interface

Most UPS communicate by the serial communication interface and power management system, commonly they use RS232, RS485, interface form of communication are DB9, DB25 and RJII etc..

Through the serial communication interface the user can set UPS residue; repair after checking UPS, and can visually monitor the running state of all UPS parameters, and control UPS operation.

(2) Relay communication interface

The communication mode of this kind of interface is through the relay switch signal and power management system for communication, it can inform management system the UPS state by the switch quantity form, such as normal operation, bypass operation and fault state, the user can switch machine through a switch signal and make self operating on UPS. Relay communication interface are DB25, amphenol connector,etc.

The main application fields of relay interface is integrate UPS into the traditional management through the switch quantity management system, the system obtain the corresponding UPS working state parameter by reading the relay switch signal, and remote control of UPS. The system includes a PBX switch management system, and the control switch of automatic control field quantity management system.

(3) AS/400 communication interface

Applicable to IBM AS/400 machine, through the AS/400 embedded power management program for the management of UPS, and can be safely shut down operating system in power abnormal.

(4) Network communication interface

Network communication interface (Inband) gives UPS a network TP address, the UPS is connected to the user in the local area network, so as to realize the network management of UPS. The interface supports TCP/IP, HTTP, SNMP protocol, RJ45, BNC interface.

The main application of the interface is through the management of UPS network, with the current market popular network management platform can realize centralized monitoring of a large number of UPS.

(5) Telephone communication interface

Telephone communication interface (Outofband) with Modem and a telephone line, with the use of the public telephone communication network to realize remote management of UPS, and also send warning massages when the power goes wrong, the interface form is RJIIo.

(6) J-Bus communication interface

J-Bus communication interface support ModBus/JBus protocol, Integrated UPS management into BMS, which can control power environment and UPS.

(7) USB communication interface

This communication method is equivalent to RS-232 serial port, when the computer serial port is occupied, it can provide another extended USB (UniversalSerialBus) interface mode for the user .

The USE interface supports plug and play, hot plug, it has strong scalability, provides low cost transfer for peripheral equipment. Both the simple input device such as a keyboard, mouse, joystick and a printer, scanner, or storage device, cameras, modem senior external equipment can all use USB interface. Therefore, all peripheral equipment with PS/2, serial, traditional parallel interface can use this interface form.

USB1.0/1.1 standard can reach transfer rate up to 1.5Mbit/s for high speed equipment, transmission rate is up to 12Mbit/S. Microsoft, HP, Compaq, Intel, Agere, NEC and Philips are seven main members in the establishment.of USB2.0. USB2.0 standard can support data rates up to 480Mbit/s for high-speed device, which is mainly suitable for high definition camera, high resolution scanner and a high performance external devices such as portable memory of large capacity. Moreover, USB2.0 is backward compatible with USB1.0/1.1 software and equipment, in this way, the user can avoide problems due to compatibility.