Power Tower XL

Overview

IP-based Remote Power Manager

The Sentry™ Power Tower XL™ (PTXL) combines intelligent power distribution, remote management, power monitoring and environmental monitoring into a single solution. The PTXL remote power manager is a fully integrated Solution for Data Center Equipment Cabinets and is secured with SSL and SSH encryption.

Designed for enclosed-cabinets or open-racks, the PTXL supports up to  4 20-amp or 30-amp power input feeds and up to 32 power outlet-receptacles. For cabinets with high-density servers, this cabinet distribution unit delivers unparalleled solutions.

Power Tower Benefits Application Note

Evaluating the Bottom Line Impacts of Adding Power Towers

IP Remote Power Management

The PTXL provides remote power management of each power receptacle - individually or as a selected group - from any location via TCP/IP using a Telnet CLI, an HTML GUI or SNMP management. The exclusive Outlet Group Control feature of the power outlet-receptacles from two different power circuits allows a user to easily reboot a dual-power supply server or other device with a single command.

Integrate Console Port Management with the Sentry Commander PT49

The serial console is the only universal out-of-band management media for all the equipment in the data center. It has the ability to access servers for remote monitoring and communications for applications such as BIOS configuration, boot-prompt level access or remote configuration. Or, connect to the configuration port (console or auxiliary port) on network equipment such as routers, switches, hubs and access servers.

The PTXL is available either in a "zero U" vertical or rack-mount horizontal form factor. All models provide advanced power distribution with remote management via TCP/IP.

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

Connect the Power Tower Expansion Module (PTXM) to the PTXL to control two power input circuits and 32 managed outlets (individual or groups) - our exclusive strategy for managing dual power-supply servers.

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

The EMCU - Environmental Monitor integrates easily with the Power Tower XL, or other Sentry Remote Power Manager. Locate the EMCU in the equipment cabinet with a PTXL, link it to the PTXL and view temperature, humidity, water sensing and dry contact closures from the same PTXL interface you use to manage and monitor the power.

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.

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).