Redundant Power Supplies

Servers and other high-end computers can benefit greatly from the use of a redundant power supply, which contains two or more power supply units but only uses one at a time to power the computer and seamlessly switches to the other in the event of a power cutout or downtime. Look for individual power supply output levels that match or exceed the needs of your network and hot-swappable capabilities that facilitate repairs in the event of a power failure.

Multiple Power Supplies

True to their name, redundant power supplies contain at least two - but sometimes three or even four - complete power supplies, each designed with enough power to keep your computer or network up and running. Whether you require 50 watts/110 V AC or 1,000 watts/220 V AC, make sure a redundant supply's power output offers enough wattage and input voltage to power your system. If you only require a single power supply, consider other types of power supplies.

Hot Swapping

To help minimize downtime and streamline repairs, look for a redundant power supply that offers hot swapping capability, which allows IT managers and other users to completely remove and repair a damaged power supply as soon as power transfers to the second backup supply.

Compatibility

While some uninterruptible power supplies feature multiuse designs and can be used with a variety of computers and other machines, others offer specific compatibility (plus other benefits) for server models and other high-complexity devices. It's important to make sure your redundant power supply meets all the requirements of your machine. For other computer parts that are compatible with your computer and network, consider other computer parts and upgrades.