Which used power controller should I be thinking about?

[Schut]

I've been limping along with a mass of discrete desktops in my home server room, but this has been the year I finally got a proper rack and have begun updating and consolidating machines. I've got about 18U worth of gear right now, although a third of that will likely be powered off most of the time.

I have one of these:

Pro Switch

Reliable Reboot and Power Control • Easy to use. Easy to set up. Clean web interface.• Secured WiFi and wired Ethernet.• Multi-target AutoPing reboots routers & modems.• HTTPS, SNMP, Rest API, SSH, SSL, Echo/Alexa, MODBUS & more.• Lua scripting language for customizing.• Powerful 32bit CPU with...

dlidirect.com

It's reasonable for what it does, but I wouldn't mind something rack mounted and a bit more professional.

What used gear for controlling power outlets via the network should I be looking at? I definitely need to power things on & off, and it would be nice to see power load, but not required.

 

[BoredSysadmin]

I'd suggest looking for used APC PDUs on the eBay - make sure to see the word "Switching" in the model name.
This is one I have (got it for free) APC AP7900B - it typically goes a low as $125-150.
If you have a proper Rack, then I highly recommend looking for 42U tall but Zero U (it mounted behind the rack, not taking any precious U space in the rack)
Never heard about make/model you found, it likely to do same, but APC built like tanks - I don't recollect ever seeing any issues with APC enterprise-class equipment.

 

[Blinky 42]

They seem to offer a rack mount version of the same switch if you like what you have currently, and they are pretty cheap.

Beyond that there are APC and Eaton managed PDU's to look at on ebay with various different configuration depending on how many outlets you need and the desired orientation. You can get "Zero-U" vertical ones that slide into the key hole slots int he back of most racks, with 24+ outlets, and 1U ~8 outlets ones and 2U ~16 outlet versions. 120V or 208/230/240V & 3 phase versions from all the big players.

Just be sure to test any APC ones you get used as soon as they come in. If you try and do a firmware upgrade and it fails return/toss it. New they are overly expensive, but used for 8 port ones in the $100-$150 range depending on how patient you are shopping for them.

 

[Blinky 42]

Examples:
1U 120V AP7901 APC AP7901 METERED POWER SWITCHED RACK PDU | eBay
2U 120V AP7902 APC AP7902 (731304220510) Power Supply /Battery/ Accessories 731304220510 | eBay
ZeroU 120V AP7960 APC AP7960 Switched Rack PDU | eBay

If getting 1/2U version - make sure they include rack ears. Some scrappers take the ears off everything and it becomes a pain to mount them in a rack otherwise.

 

[Todd F]

An option that I stumbled upon was ServerTech CDUs. I have one that's essentially the same features as the APC listed in the 2nd post, but it was ~$40. I have a CW-8H1-C20 that I'm happy with. Network monitoring, flash upgradable, aggregate power monitoring, power sequencing, individual outlet control (delay, on-off, etc). These can also be paired with a CX model for expansion.

In general though, carefully check the plugs and voltage, many, many of them are 208V or have high current plugs that won't be very usable.

 

[psc]

I picked up a couple of Raritan DominionPX PDUs (yes, it really is almost the same name as the KVM units) for super cheap, and I've been happy with them. Ethernet, web interface, switching and monitoring. I guess it's just not what most people would search for, which helps with pricing!

 

[jrybolt]

I recently picked up an APC 7901 with older firmware than the other one I have. When I go to APC's site it appears they no longer list the firmware for download. Does anyone have a solution for this? Any help is appreciated.