Fail-Safe PTXL/PTXM-HF16

Overview

IP Power Tower XL with Redundancy for single-power servers

The Sentry Power Tower XL (PTXL) Fail-Safe™ provides fail-over redundancy to single or dual-power supply servers and network devices. Exclusive to the Power Tower XL Fail-Safe is its ability to carry loads on the A circuit, B circuit or both and to remotely manage the outlets.

Similar, but unlike a common automatic transfer switch, the Power Tower XL Fail-Safe unit is unique in that it contains two (2) in-feeds and two (2) banks of eight (8) outlets each, for a total of 16 outlets across the two circuits.

The Power Tower XL Fails Safe's “A” in-feed routinely powers just the A1-8 outlets, and the “B” in-feed routinely powers just the B1-8 outlets. However, if the “A” in-feed goes down, the “B” in-feed powers all 16 outlets and the same if the “B” in-feed goes down, The transfer occurs in fewer than 18 milliseconds, which is faster than the interruption rate of the attached equipment.

This new “Fail-Safe” method has several advantages compared to a standard ATS because it does not prohibit load balancing between the two supplied circuits. A standard ATS contains two-in-feeds, but runs all outlets from just one source, with the secondary source only being used once an outage occurs on the capacity. This results in less heat, less resistance, and consequently less of a voltage drop compared to the same load existing on just one source. Only when an outage occurs on one of the two sources will the entire load be applied to a single source.

Specifications and Features

20 or 30 Amp Power Input Support

20-amp power input support - IEC320/C20 power inlet receptacles supports any power cord with IEC320/C19 power connector (PTCORD-XX). 30-amp power input support provides hard-wired 10' cord and appropriate L5-30 or L6-30 plug type.

24-character Outlet Receptacles Names

Use the firmware interface (Web or serial) to edit individual outlet receptacles. Identify each receptacle with the device's serial number, ip address, asset allocation #, department or any other method to individually name outlets.

Add a Second Tower - the PTXM

Firmware Flash Upgradeable

Access new firmware updates via FTP for new firmware features and code releases. An update to the firmware does not affect the status of the power outlets.

HTTP/HTTPs Web Configuration & Control

Use the Sentry Web interface to configure each unit, including network settings, outlet naming & grouping, SNMP traps for environmental & power thresholds and firmware updates. Also use the Web interface to control individual or group outlets and monitor key values, including amperage load(s), temperature/humidity and other environmental conditions. SSL security provides a secure HTTPs connection.

Integrate Environmental Monitoring

Integrated Temp/Humidity Probes

LDAP

LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) is a software protocol for enabling anyone to locate organizations, individuals, and other resources such as files and devices in a network, whether on the public Internet or on a corporate intranet. Sentry firmware code 5.3b and newer  includes support for LDAP v3 and is configurable to operate with any Directory Service. It has been tested with these Directory Services: Microsoft’s Active Directory, Novell’s eDirectory, OpenLDAP

Load Sense

Individual input current monitoring ("Load Sense") provides real-time power measurement of the load in amps on each power inlet, accessible via firmware interface.

Rack-Mount Enclosure

2U "horizontal" rack-mount enclosures are 17" wide and include standard mounting brackets for 19" cabinet rails.  23" brackets also available.

Remote Power Control

Individual or group outlet remote power control to cycle power and reboot any selected server(s) or other network device(s).  Use TCP/IP (HTTP, HTTPS, SSH, Telnet, SNMP) or RS-232 to communicate with each Sentry and rectify locked-up network devices. Assign outlets to a group for control of dual-power supply servers and other gear with a single command.  Create an unlimited number of groups with any combination of outlets associated to each group. Reduce Mean Time to Repair (MTTR) of a failing server by controlling individual power outlet receptacles to reboot any selected server or other device.

RS-232 Control

Serial control via any device with a bi-directional serial port, including a PC, laptop, KVM switch, Console Port Access switch, or terminal server.

Secure Access - SSH or SSL Protection

Secure Shell (SSH), sometimes known as Secure Socket Shell, is a Unix-based command interface and protocol for securely getting access to a remote device.  Sentry supports SSHv2. Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a commonly-used protocol for managing the security of a message transmission on the Internet. SSL is an integral part of most Web browsers (clients) and Web servers.  Sentry supports SSLv3/TLSv1.

SNMP Management & Event Notification

The Sentry family of products supports the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). This allows network management systems to use SNMP requests to retrieve information and control power for the individual outlets. The Sentry includes an SNMP v1 agent supporting standard MIB I and MIB II objects. A private enterprise MIB extension (Sentry3 MIB) is also supported to provide remote power control. SNMP traps can be generated for various events, including Input Current Load Thresholds (min & max), Temperature Thresholds (min & max), Humidity Thresholds (min & max), water indication, closed contacts (cabinet doors open/close), as well as notification of any time an outlet status is changed (on/off).