Finding the relays to switch the DC on/off is the easy part, the hard part
is how the relays will be told when to switch on and off.
You could always use the serial port on a Mikrotik or RAP board, but an
application would need to be installed on the OS, that does not allow third
party applications installed.
You hit on a very weak part of this industry. A reliable and inexpensive
solution is only as reliable as the weakest and most expensive equipment
required to complete the total solution.
The concept of a relay is simple, but the whole package is needed. Right
now we have $200-$300 ethernet manual switch devices, and $150-$250
auto-ping reboot devices, and $200-$300 smart power monitoring UPS, but
really you need to buy one of each for every install to have a complete
solution.
All it takes is a small Linux app on Mikrotik and a $8 relay and all a
sudden the solution opens up the door to a whole new level of reliabilty for
WISPs.
The need....
1) UPS - that does NOT force AC power off on battery failure. I shouldn't
have down time when a battery fails, I should have an alert. All fuses
should be time based auto-resetting fuse to prevent truck rolls to press a
fuse reset.
2) UPS - remote monitoring - Need to alert us when power has failed. Need to
alert us and/or log when a severe surge or drop has occurred (for
troubleshooting reasons for radio lockups).
3) UPS regulated power, to make sure clean constant power is delivered to
the Radio, not just battery backup on power outage.
4) Manual remote reboot - via Ethernet I must be able to cycle power on
devices connected to correct error conditions where the link is up and
reboot device accessable.
5) Auto ping reboot - ability to reboot failed links, when the link is not
up and reboot device not remote accessable.
6) Option to support 1 to 8 relays.
7) Flexible configuration of unit, so easy config of IP configuration. (not
DHCP). Preferrably with support for two IP from seperate subnets, so reboot
device can be accessable from redundant link paths.
8) Price under $100.
The problem is that today there are two seperate devices, 1) remote reboot
technology and 2) UPS. They should be one and the same. to reduce duplicacy
of hardware and management. Its logical that one device
be used to control these similar power related components.
In the case that the two components must stay seperate because the
manufacturers in this industry just don't get it, then each of the two
components need to be complete in there responsibilities for the solution.
You brought up a good popint that really all WISPs need is a DC solution
instead of a AC solution. But then the solution should be easilly integrated
into the power injection system. Easy connector blocks for the DC power
supply wires to interconnect with and/or CAT5 wiring to connect with.
The problem is that companies like APC break components into two clasess
HIGH end and low end, but not something right in the middle. The solution
needs to allow for a UPS/Reboot device to be installed at EVERY subscriber
site. That means under $100. We can't justify UPS SMART models at > $400 a
pop. Today the only UPS models supported by Linux by APC is the expensive
SMART series! APC needs to understand the need for Linux support on their
desktop model units.
I'd like to see Stations-server and Mikrotik rise to the occasion to include
a application on their OS to control these DC relays for auto-ping radio
rebooting.
The first step to this was the new Smart POE VLAN Ethernet switches. It
allows the manual rebooting of devices, but not necessarilly all the other
needed things like auto-ping, or support for multiple voltages not 802.3af
compliant.
The $80 Home APC, looked like a good first start for APC, but its clearly
meant for home use, not a carrier's use for subscriber units.
Unless a UPS gives increased value add other than power outage backup, I
believe the UPS becomes more of a liability than an advantage. It means a
truck roll to replace batteries every year or two, and an added non-planned
outage every one or two years.
Just my two sense on Power systems. Don't forget to vent to your UPS
manuafacturer, so they are aware of the market need for CPE power solutions.
Tom DeReggi
RapidDSL & Wireless, Inc
IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband
----- Original Message -----
From: "Blair Davis" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "WISPA General List" <wireless@wispa.org>
Sent: Monday, November 07, 2005 10:27 PM
Subject: Re: [WISPA] IP based Remote Reboot
A lot of things here that I have seen, some I have not. Some I use
already.
Thanks for the ideas.
However, the main issue is space......
The box that all my gear must fit in at this location is 12"x12"x6".
In that space, I already have a WRAP 2C, an OR-500 and a 5 port switch....
And while I can live with switching AC, I'd much prefer a simple set of
relay contacts.
If I have to build my own, I will.
But I was hoping someone had already done it...
--
Blair Davis
West Michigan Wireless ISP
Rick Harnish wrote:
We have a couple of them in our office waiting to be deployed at tower
sites. The web interface is crap, it won't allow you to put in a subnet
and
default gateway. You have to set it to get a DHCP address to get those
key
routing numbers inserted. I like the size and the price is right, I guess
for $80 you shouldn't expect many management features.
Rick Harnish
President
OnlyInternet Broadband & Wireless, Inc.
260-827-2482 Office
260-307-4000 Cell
260-918-4340 VoIP
www.oibw.net
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
Behalf Of G.Villarini
Sent: Monday, November 07, 2005 4:04 PM
To: 'WISPA General List'
Subject: RE: [WISPA] IP based Remote Reboot
http://www.apcc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=3
Gino A. Villarini, Aeronet Wireless Broadband Corp.
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.aeronetpr.com
787.767.7466
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
Behalf Of Tom DeReggi
Sent: Monday, November 07, 2005 5:02 PM
To: WISPA General List
Subject: Re: [WISPA] IP based Remote Reboot
Which model APC has Ethernet reboot for $80?
Tom DeReggi
RapidDSL & Wireless, Inc
IntAirNet- Fixed Wireless Broadband
----- Original Message -----
From: "G.Villarini" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "'WISPA General List'" <wireless@wispa.org>
Sent: Monday, November 07, 2005 11:37 AM
Subject: RE: [WISPA] IP based Remote Reboot
Realay control or AC? Cause APC has a cheap ups that's has a Ethernet
port
for remote reboot ... $80
Gino A. Villarini,
Aeronet Wireless Broadband Corp.
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
www.aeronetpr.com
787.767.7466
-----Original Message-----
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
Behalf Of Blair Davis
Sent: Monday, November 07, 2005 12:25 PM
To: WISPA General List
Subject: [WISPA] IP based Remote Reboot
Hi all.
I'm looking for an IP based remote reboot or relay controller.
It must be small, controlled via http or telnet, and be able to turn a
relay off or on remotely....
Oh, before I forget, cheap, too!
Any ideas?
--
Blair Davis
AOL IM Screen Name -- Theory240
West Michigan Wireless ISP
269-686-8648
A division of:
Camp Communication Services, INC
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