With businesses relying on data to drive their CEM software to using data to anticipate the best way to gain customer loyalty and launch a new product, it is no secret that some businesses need to run off an uninterruptable power supply. Businesses which offer customers critical services (such as providing oxygen to customers who cannot survive without an additional air supply) need a power source that does not shut-off. For example, hospitals use generators to power machines during a power outage because they cannot be without power.
Did you know that with a NAS system, you can also be connected to an uninterruptable power source and not have to worry about losing files, though you may lose some of the ability to write data during a brownout? It may also put you at an increased risk of losing much needed data, thanks to data corruption. How can you ensure that while using a NAS, vital information is safe from hackers and your company can still deliver to customers, etc.?
Correct Setup Can Ensure Needed Data Is Not Lost
One easy mistake that a person may make is plugging your NAS power cord into any conditioned slot instead of the UPS powered slot. Plugging into any conditioned slot doesn’t offer the same protection and may make it easier for you to lose much needed data or have the power needed to function in the event of a brownout. It is also imperative that your NAS is connected using a USB cable. Using the USB cable allows the UPS to send information telling the NAS what the device name is. This is not the only reason it is good to alert the NAS as to what UPS device will be connected to it. It also may help when your UPS must power down the drives during a brownout.
Before completing your setup, you also want to verify that your device will restart automatically if the power does go out. Why have devices set to automatic start? It allows you to save time by not having to manually repower on a NAS system. But, it also means your system can be restarted even if you are not around to restart it. Running a business that runs on constantly being connected, this is vital for some businesses. Once you do have a NAS set up, do tests run to ensure that it really is operating properly. There is nothing like finding out after a brownout that your much needed data was not saved and cannot be retrieved when needed. If there is suspicion that a NAS did not shut down correctly, a business professional can run a S.M.A.R.T test on each HHD to see if it is running correctly.
Isn’t it nice to know you do not have to worry that a brownout will wipe out all the much needed data to finish a BIA? Have you ever used a NAS and had it malfunction before?