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Waragainstsleep · Nov 13, 2011, 09:32 PM

Anyone ever heard of such a thing?

What I'm looking for is something like a power splitter or even a UPS but with a network connection so I can activate it over the lan. Switch the power on or off. What I want to be able to do is power on an Xserve RAID remotely. And power it off again too.

ChrisF · Nov 14, 2011, 06:55 AM

Doesn't the RAID do lights out management? The xServe did, and I think the RAID does too. This will allow you to do exactly what you want.

Waragainstsleep · Nov 14, 2011, 09:43 AM

The Xserve did as of 2006 and Intel. The last Xserve RAID was released 2004 so no, sadly not.

subego · Nov 14, 2011, 02:41 PM

Will killing the power at the outlet be bad for the RAID, or am I not understanding you?

Waragainstsleep · Nov 14, 2011, 02:53 PM

The Xserve RAID doesn't have an off switch, you have to pull the plugs to power one off. Switching power on 'at the wall' so to speak is enough to power it up again.

I have 3 G4 Xserves available, an Xserve RAID and a Promise SCSI RAID which is the same format as the Xserve, 3U rack mount only with 15 SATA drive slots instead of 14 PATA. Both RAIDs are best given a few seconds to boot up before you boot their host Xserve(s) otherwise the Xserve boots too quick and doesn't pick them up properly, especially the SCSI unit. I want to use this rig as my iTunes library and for TM backups, consequently it doesn't need to be powered on all the time. Leaving it running would cost me a fortune I don't have and make a lot of noise. The Xserve has a sleep mode and can Wake On LAN, the RAID units do not sleep as they are built for 24/7 operation. I just thought it would be nice if I could remotely power them on and off so I can lock them up with the Xserve(s) in a rack and use them when I need them without incurring the cost or noise of having a miniature data centre in my kitchen (The only room downstairs which has a ceiling high enough to accommodate my rack).

Waragainstsleep · Nov 14, 2011, 02:55 PM

In a perfect world, I'd get solar panels and storage batteries to run the lot but it would cost a bomb and I'm not sure my roof has enough surface area for that anyway.

subego · Nov 14, 2011, 03:17 PM

I'm thinking some type of home automation system may be the way to go, unfortunately, all my experience is with 120v/60Hz gear.

Waragainstsleep · Nov 14, 2011, 03:39 PM

Thats a good shout. I hadn't thought of X10. I knew I was missing something. Ta!

subego · Nov 14, 2011, 04:00 PM

There may be something more reliable than X10. 100% powerline systems can be sketchy.

Waragainstsleep · Nov 14, 2011, 05:01 PM

I think there are systems that don't use powerline these days.