🚀 go-pugleaf

There is always interest (and frustration) when trying to get a UPS to
play properly with LINUX.  Fortunately, there is a new package available
on sunsite which is well documented, and more importantly, works!  It
supports UPS with dumb RS232 ports, or smart UPS in dumb mode.

The package is Tom Webster's "genpower-1.0.1", which replaces his
unipower package.  This new version is better documented, includes
better details for construction of your own cable, or using a vendor
cable.  If you use one of the "standard" cable configurations, you can
just compile and install.  The program is configured at run time via
command line arguments.

Does it work?  Yes!  I have a APC BackUPS 600 connected to /dev/cua1 via
a home made cable (following the directions for the apc-linux cable).
The system successfully does the following (I tested it):

	- detects a power fail and begins system shutdown in 5 minutes
	- if the power is restored before shutdown completes, cancels shutdown
	- detects low battery condition and does an immediate system
		shutdown (not yet tested).
	- on shutdown, in a power fail state, shuts off the inverter as
		the final step in /etc/rc.d/rc.0

So, if you have been considering a UPS, or have one (with an RS-232 data
port), you should check this one out.

-- 
             Kurt Reisler (UNIX SIG Chair, DECUS US Chapter)
		  Captain, UNISIG International Luge Team
		       Only a guest at klr@umbc.edu
        <*> Ignore the petty dysfunctional, and the CRI fiends <*>