Torrent Suite SoftwareAdministration Guide


Torrent Suite Software space on Ion Community

Administration Guide TOC

Install and Use a UPS

An uninterruptable power supply (UPS) can be used with a Torrent Server. While not required, it is recommended to have a UPS installed to provide some protection for a Torrent Server from the negative consequences of fluctuations in the line power, by providing consistent line power to the server. These fluctuations includes spikes as well as brown-outs. Additionally, we have developed a solution that allows for a controlled shutdown, in cases when the line power goes out completely for an extended period of time.

Hardware

The recommended device is a Dell UPS Tower 1000-Watt 100/ 120 VAC (Dell Part# : 330-7516). It is shown below.







Only this unit has been tested and verified compatible with our software. Theoretically, any of the units listed here could work as well: http://www.networkupstools.org/stable-hcl.html . However, none of these models have been tested to ensure compatibility and will likely require additional configuration, beyond what is described here.

Software

There is an optional package that should be installed if a UPS is to be used: ion-tsups . It is not installed by default and must be installed according to the procedure listed in Setup. A UPS unit can be used without this package, but the Torrent Server is not able to initiate a controlled shutdown if this package is not present.

Setup

The setup process is as follows.

  1. Plug in and power on the UPS unit.
  2. Connect the USB cable from the UPS unit to the Torrent Server.
  3. Confirm that the Torrent Server and UPS unit are communicating, by issuing the following command:

                   upsc ionups ups.status
                  

    The response should be one of the following:

                   OL
                  

    This means the UPS is on AC line power.

                   OL CHRG
                  

    This means the UPS is on AC line power and the battery is charging.

Usage

When the battery capacity drops to 30% of its full capacity, the software initiates a sequence of events which shuts down the server in a controlled manner, and then shuts off the UPS output as well. The UPS unit does not turn on its output until line power is restored. Once power has been restored to the UPS unit and, consequently, to the Torrent Server, the Torrent Server must be powered back on. When the Torrent Server boots up again, it resumes normal operation.

Please note these analysis restart issues:

  • Runs that were actively being analyzed at the time of shutdown do not automatically resume. These runs need to be manually restarted.
  • Any runs that had been queued and not yet analyzed (due to other runs being analyzed ahead of them) start analysis automatically without any intervention required.