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ReBooting & Remote AC Power Control

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NEW POWER STRIP FAMILY REVISIONS

ARR	ARR+	CPS

See Comparison Chart

CPS provides the most comprehensive set of remote AC power control tools available. The power strips along with the FREE software offerings and a verity of optional controllers provide a plethora of options that can be combined to meet most any AC power control objective, locally or remotely.

History
The original Ring Rebooting Power strip (ARR) was introduced over 12 years ago simply as a method of rebooting analog modems that did not answer in six rings (modem hung). Strangely enough rebooting modems still represents a large application for the ARRs except now the modems are DSL and the ring triggers are being intentionally generated through the analog frequency of the DSL.

However, the power strips have also kept pace with the changing requirements for other low cost local and remote AC power control requirements. As part of this evolution, new models were introduced along with Remote Access Controllers and various software products. No longer are they just rebooters. They are becoming more sophisticated AC power control units....used for

Kiosks · Digital Signage · with DSL and Cable Modems · VoIP · IPTV · Telemetry · Security Cameras · Enable/Disable Control · Lab Testing · etc.

They are equally at home on mountain tops, on poles, on ships, in subways and even under water as well as in cushy office environments.

Cost (also see Discounts)
The basic $89.00 ARR still present the lowest price point available for a basic "ring count" rebooting device. A natural to use with DSL modems.

Or just add a serial port for another $10.00 and run the Free "Heart Beat" software on your PC. Now you have an automatic rebooter for your server for just $99.00 + filtered RS-232 adapter. Plus you still have the out of band ring count reboot feature for backup.

The same is true for automatic rebooting of network equipment (modems, routers, gateways, etc.). Just add the Free "Auto Ping" software to your PC. See Broad Band-Aid for $99.00 + filtered RS-232 adapter.

However, the Controlled Power Strip (CPS), offers the lowest cost per device when the requirement is to separately control multiple devices at the same location. Under $40.00 per device.

What's New this time around
This latest revision of the power strips present still greater application possibilities with new controllers and software combinations. Although the number of options may add a little confusion, just pick what you need to meet your requirement. Or you can combine the different models, software and controllers to open up new vistas. Here is what's new:

1. A new model the ARR+ (plus). This adds a serial port and programmable configuration settings (delays) to the Basic ARR. Consider it when you are controlling just one AC power device either locally through the RS-232 port of a PC, or using one of the Automatic Rebooting software packages.

2. A new low cost Internal Touch-Tone Control Option "ITTO". It can be added to any of the models of the power strip. Now you don't need another external Touch-Tone controller box to remotely control the power strips using touch-tones (ON/OFF/RESET). It also provides, Passwords Protection, Status Inquiry and Remote Programming. It can also share the phone line with other devices (phone, fax, TAD, but no inbound modem) and you can put multiple ITTOs on the same phone line. One by each computer. Best of all it starts at only $26.00 to $49.00 depending on the power strip model.
   Use it as your primary method of access or as backup when using another controller or one of the automatic software packages.

3. The Automatic rebooting software ("Heartbeat" and "Auto Ping") compatibility is included with either of the two models that have a serial port (ARR+ and CPS). Use them for automatic power cycling for network equipment or servers.

4. The same commercial heavy duty metal construction is used in all of the power strips, but the surge protection has been increased to 540 Joules (36,000 amps). This may reduce the requirement for other redundant surge protectors or power strips at remote sites. Each Power Strip is rated at 110-125VAC. with a 15 amp breaker and EMI/RFI filtration. Don't just pass this off. It could be the cause of many of your "lock up" problems.

The chart below will help differentiate the various models and options. Just pick what you need for your application.

	$89.00 ARR	$99.00 ARR+	$115.00 CPS**
Power Strip Hardware Configurations
All "Controlled AC Jacks" React to Commands simultaneously	x*	x*
Each "Pair of AC Jacks" (3) can be Controlled separately			x
Daisy Chain up to 10 units together		x	x
* Number of "Controlled AC Jacks" specified at the time of order. Other AC Jacks are always ON. This may eliminate the need for other power strips and/or surge protectors.
Control Methods (may be combined) Also See External Controllers
Ring Count Trigger (6 unanswered rings)	x	x	x
Serial, RS-232 or USB Commands (adapter required)		x	x
Automatic with Free Software		x	x
ITTO Optional Internal Touch-Tone Controller.	x	x	x
Password, Status Inquiry, Remote config. & Line sharing	$26	$39	$49
User Programmable Features
RESET (OFF time)		x	x
Ring Count Trigger		x	x
Initial Power Up Delay (avoid rapid lightning surges)		x	x
Power Up State (ON/OFF)		x	x
AC Jack Pair Separation Delay (for sequential power up)			x
Box Address		x	x
Free Software (Windows Based PC with serial port required)
Automatic
Auto Ping RESET network equip. according to ping out results			x
Heartbeat, RESET the server when it hangs + DLL		x	x
Helpful Software Utilities Serial Net, Sends serial power commands over the network Command Line (future) Auto Scheduler (future) Commander, Database of all locations, phone numbers and AC power Commands

This is a popular $99.00 special combination package. It utilizes a light version of the CPS (only 2 controlled AC outlets). It includes the serial adapter and the Auto Ping Software. It is primarily used to automatically RESET broad band modems/routers according to ping results when they hang. Ring count trigger is also standard.

Q. When would I need a serial port?

A.	If you would like to control the Power strip through the serial port of a PC. If you wish to modify any of the settings (one serial adapter may be used for several power strips). If you are using either of the Automatic Reboot Software packages.

Q. When would I use the Internal touch-tone Option (ITTO)?
A. Any time you wish to directly power the strip ON/OFF or RESET one power strip using a Touch-Tone phone (cell, land or modem).

Q. I want to control the power strip over the network with an IP address. But what if the modem or router is down. How can I recover?
A. Use the N-RRC external network controller for IP access. Go "out of band" for backup, if the network is down. Use the Ring count reboot feature or ITTO if security is a consideration (TelCo line required).
App Note: You also could turn everything OFF over the network and then use the Ring Reboot feature or ITTO or even the Auto Ping to turn it all back ON.

Q. Can I connect two different controllers to a power strip?
A. Yes, but you would need a modified "Y" adapter. However, you could use the Internal TT Controller, ITTO along with another external controller. See previous.

Q. Why would I daisy chain say six ARR+ units when I could get just two CPS units and control six separate pairs of AC jacks?
A. Maximum voltages or Distance. You could get at least 500 feet between of telephone cable between the ARR+s in a daisy chain. Whereas the Controlled Power Strip would be limited by the AC power cord lengths.

App Note: A school customer has daisy chained several power strips between classrooms and turns them ON selectively and then all OFF with one serial port wild card command. This would also work in a office or a store with several kiosks.
App Note: Another customer has a dozen modems that share only one phone line. He keeps all of the modems powered OFF and only turns ON the one that he wants to use. The others are still connected to the line through a punch down block, but not powered ON. It is less expensive than a 12 port modem sharing device plus it provides more enabling control.

Q. Can I use the Auto Ping software and the Heartbeat at the same time?
A. Yes, but you would need two serial ports on the PC. Each service requires its own serial port. You would probably use the Controlled Power Strip (CPS) and connect the server and network equipment to different AC outlet pairs.

Q. I want to control the CPS locally, but I don't have a serial port on my PC. What are my options?
A. Consider an RS-232 to USB converter. Note you would still also require the CA9R11-IPN-F "filtered adapter", for now. We will soon have a USB converter with the "filtered adapter" built in. You might also consider the U-X3. It has a USB control port.

Q. I want to remotely control each AC Jack on multiple Controlled Power strips that are daisy chained together, using Touch-tones.
A. Use the external SP-RRC TelCo Controller. You don't need the internal Touch-Tone option in each power strip. If you need more than ten power strips, use the Multi Port TelCo controller (MP-RRC). You can daisy chain 10 from each of the eight ports on the controller. That equals 80 CPSs and 240 separately accessible AC jacks (480 jacks total).

Q. What if there is no phone line or network connection at the remote location and I want to power devices ON and OFF?
A. Use the C-RC, Cell controller. You can text message or e-mail the power commands to the power strip. Or even turn them ON/OFF or RESET just using the caller ID feature.

Q. I need a remote router to come back ON about 1-2 min after the modem reboot. What is the best way?
A. Use the Controlled AC Power Strip (CPS) and set the port separation delay to 2 min. When a "ring trigger" resets the power strip the AC jack pairs, where your modem and router are connected, will come back ON in 2 min intervals. You can also use the Auto Ping Software to trigger the power strip rest. Just send a wild card instead of the AC jack pair to the power strip. You can also specially order the CPS with just two "Controlled Pairs" of AC jacks and the third one is always ON.

Q. I want to connect to different telephone devices at remote locations, but I also want to automatically power them ON when I connect. Can you handle that?
A. Yes, all of our Remote Switching Products have the provision to connect any of the Power Strips. You can call it and automatically power the device ON. You can then send it an OFF command before you hang up or set it to automatically power OFF when the connection is terminated.

Q. I want to control the power strips with signals from my own machines (not RS-232). Do you have any other input capability?
A. Yes we have done several specials. We can provide TTL level control. Actually, just as long as you have one pin that can go from high to low (+8V to ground) that we can look at, we could probably use that. As an example: High = ON, Low = OFF or something on that order.

Q. I have international 220VAC requirements. The power strips can only go to 125V. (normally North America & Mexico). What are my options?
A. Look at the U-X3, IPN and the IPC. They operate from 110V up to 250VAC and have (IEC-320) AC connectors which makes them easy to operate anywhere in the world.

Q. Ok, I want to automatically RESET my modems and routers, but I don't have a PC at these locations to run the Auto Ping Software. What are my options?
A. Use an APC (other product). It is a stand alone box with its own "pinger" and AC Jacks built in.

Computer Peripheral Systems, Inc.
5096 Bristol Industrial Way, Suite B
Buford, GA 30518
Sales
1-800-888-0051
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM EST
Technical Support
(770) 945-0643
8:30 AM - 5:30 PM EST
Fax
(770) 945-9342
E-Mail
sales@cpscom.com