Future Add-In: "GridJunction" for battery backup/UPS management
Alexandra Kent the creator of the add-in Vista Caller-ID has another add-in up his sleeves.
Since a UPS is basically not really supported on Windows Home Server Alex is creating “GridJunction” a battery backup/UPS management add-in that integrates into the WHS console and issues power alerts and can safely shut-down the Home Server if desired when the battery level hits a preset threshold.
The add-in will monitor the state of any UPS connected via either USB (on say the HP MediaSmart) or even any Serial port for homebuild WHS and or legacy UPS’s. If the WHS switches to battery power (i.e. lead unplugged, no power etc) it will use the WHS Notification system to broadcast a network wide message something like “Attention your Home Server is running on Battery Power. Time Remaining 34 minutes” – in say YELLOW, then if a certain threshold has been reached for instance 30% battery remaining; another system wide message but in RED will be broadcast saying “Your Home Server battery is low and is safely shutting down” etc.
“GridJunction” will be available at a future date, so if you have any opinions, comments or ideas on this add-in please leave a comment to this post.
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I’m looking forward to this one.
I, too, am looking forward to this Add-In!
Although not likely to be in the initial version, I would like to see some “activity graphs/tables” showing state changes as well as, if possible, voltage and power draw as well as time remaining. (The latter will give users an excellent idea of battery health, for example.)
Ideally it would also include code to modify the HP MSS (EX47x) BIOS setting to allow the MSS to be powered back on after power restoration! (But even without that it will be very desirable!)
PS: I would consider being a beta tester if you need one…
I have my homebuilt WHS already set to shutdown using the normal Windows UPS configuration but any tool built into the console is welcome.
I’d just like to see the option of running a script when the battery level becomes low as I use that function to stop virtual server so that my VM’s are safely saved to disk allowing the server to shutdown quicker and ensuring that the VM’s aren’t just turned off.
I also would love to use this plugin… I have an APC UPS, in a home-built WHS, and I am just using the Windows Control Panel settings to manage it… a WHS plug-in to monitor the UPS would be a nice addition.
Would this be compatible with all UPS systems (at least “mainstream”, if you will)? I have a Cyberpower unit I plan to plug my WHS into when I receive it this week, and want to be sure the autoshutdown works as needed. This is great!
I love this guys plug-ins.
Looking forward to this one and will be installing it for sure on my WHS!
Just gotta hope he writes the Vista plugin soon to run the CID server ON WHS 🙂
Keep up the gr8 work. Absolutely loving this newsletter Philip
Since a UPS is basically not really supported on Windows Home Server….
Hasn’t everyone notice in how WHS needs everyone to create third party solutions just to enable missing basic functions?
You can do the same with open source code, for FREE. Why pay $$$ Microsoft for this privilege to support Microsoft’s products?
WHS wants everyone else to build their product for them, with third party add-ins while paying Microsoft to support their own product!
With open source code, nobody is required to pay to do this at all. Because the GPL v3 license grants these rights to everyone else so they all can build upon the software for FREE without paying for these rights.
Wake Up!
The http://www.gridjunction.com website is now live with updated screenshots, more information, and a beta request form to help us bring about a structured beta slated to kick-off May 7th.
If you currently have a UPS connected to your home server or are thinking about getting an UPS to help protect your Windows Home Server from power problems and you are comfortable with beta-testing please consider.
Thank you
@Geoff we hope 😉
great results with APC(s), Belkin(s) and Tripp Lite(s) but I have not yet been able to test this on any Cyberpower devices that is another reason why a real world beta test is so important – maybe you could join the beta that would be great.
Very entertaining and informative. Keep up the great work.