From the modem there is an ethernet connection that
feeds into our D-Link router. The router servers as a firewall,
DHCP server and port mapper-- allowing our single IP to run all the system
we have in house. The router has 4x10/100 Mbit switched ports on
it and feed the other switches in the house. It also has wireless
for the mobile devices that are sometimes on the network. Our current
router, installed in November, replaces an older D-Link model that had
restrictions such as inability to map incoming ports to different ports
on the internal network and only 20 total port mappings.
We revamped the power system in November of 2004
after some experience with losing grid power. During an electrical
storm in October, Park Place lost power for over 45 minutes. Having
arrived with the power already out, I don't know how long it had already
been gone. Typically when the power goes out, all UPS backed system
that are not mission critical are taken off-line. Once we arrived,
the Red-Dragon was shutdown. After another 45 minutes or so, the
FE1.15kVA UPS battery was exhausted, and DrQue.net experienced it's first
ever downtime due to electrical failure. The second problem was the Red-Dragon. This system is a duel CPU system with 7 hard drives, 10 fans and a GeForce 2 video card-- it is quite power hungry. This added load to the UPS for an unknown amount of time drained the battery faster then if just the critical server had been running. We don't have a perfect power solution yet, but some work around's have been made. First, we ordered a battery for a second UPS we've had, but never used-- the Micro-Ferrups MD500VA. This UPS now backs the Red-Dragon, while the larger FE1.15kVA UPS supports the White Dragon. We also rewired much of the power distribution system, using 14 gage ROMEX rather then a series of power strips and extension cords.
In the future, we would like to add some ability to relieve the UPSes during power outages. We might research getting the UPSes to except inverted power. However, the most likely solution could be an automatic power transfer switch. We might have to make this ourselves. The idea behind such a switch is to momentarily disconnect power from one source, then switch on power from a second source. The gap between the switching can be small enough as not to effect the systems running-- in the order of tens of milliseconds. But, at present, we have no such solution. A dedicated feed provides all the systems of the Dragon server array with power. A 30 amp feed running from the main breaker panel powers a sub-panel in the Dragon's Den. Two 15 amps breakers in the sub-panel power the room, one of which powers the server array. The other 15 amp feed powers things such as fans, space heater and air conditioning. The dedicated 30 amp feed makes sure the there isn't a power issue between the server array and the 3 other roommates who all have air conditioning and refrigerator. |
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