There always a few phrases that come to mind when folks say one thing and do another. Practice what you preach, Physician Heal Thyself, Lead by example, etc...
I have designed many networks all over the world and without a doubt the single most important issue is redundancy. Fail over is measured in milliseconds in today's networks. When designing a network for redundancy it's the little things that get you in the end. Skimping a few bucks on this or that can cost big cash in the future.
I had that happened to me first hand last weekend.
For the past nine years, I have built up a nice lab to test gear, practice for recert exams, do research etc. I have never had a single problem ever. I have been fat and happy in my cave flipping bits and causing brown outs in the neighborhood. Then the skies darkened and it started to rain...
Hey, been thru a million of these storms no problem. I started shutting down gear, idling down other pieces to prepare for the coming storm. Little did I notice my next door neighbor building an ark...
We got 6 inches of water in little over 4 hours. Still not an issue because the ole sump pump is jamming along just fine...blink...blink...power out... Still not a big deal. In the nine years we have lived here, the power has never been out longer then 15 minutes. I have actually had generators in my cart at Lowes a few times but I always put them back on the shelf, thinking that it is a waste of money around here, power is never out that long.
7 hours of darkness later, my basement and ...tear...my lab is under 8 inches of water. I bailed water like I was going to save the Titanic but in the end, I gave up. I designed my network just a bit too cocky. I looked at the environment and said the same words that give me cold chills in customer network design meetings: "That can't happen here" As time progresses, the odds go more in favor of something happening every day.
Yep, I paid the price for that. A simple 400 dollar generator would have saved me 15K. I lost a bunch of gear, books, papers, etc... But the most interesting thing happened during the power outage. Our family hung out without any electronic distractions. I lit a few Coleman lanterns and we laughed, told remember when stories, played Uno, Sorry, Quiddler and it wasn't long until I forgot all about my lab. We really had a great time and then when the power did finally come back on everyone retreated back into their corner like the patients in Awakening after being taken off of L-Dopa.
I started thinking about all of the special bonds I have made with folks during some sort of crisis/adversity. Is that what is takes to get close to folks sometimes? What was I waiting on? Well, as The Who says; "Won't Get Fooled Again" I planned for redundancy like I would for a customer. I ordered a 16.5KV Generac with a automatic transfer coupling, I poured a slab to install it on when the semi pulls up to drop it off this week and I'll have it wired in and ready for the next storm nine years from now... That reminds me I need to put some Sta-bil in the gas. I am certainly going to practice what I preach...darn it...
Jimmy Ray Purser
Trivia File Transfer Protocol
The earliest recorded evidence of the production of soap dates back to around 2800 BC in Ancient Babylon. A formula for soap consisting of water, alkali and cassia oil was written on a Babylonian clay tablet around 2200 BC.
Jimmy Ray Purser is the technical co-host for Cisco's TechWise and BizWise TV. Jimmy Ray also conducts advanced training for engineers across North America and Europe and regularly speaks at industry conferences such as VON, CeBIT, N+I, and Networkers. As a field engineer, Jimmy Ray experiences networking first hand behind the console or in the rack. He is an active member in the IEEE and the Ethernet Alliance and has designed, installed and tested numerous networks for Fortune 500 companies, the United States military and other institutions worldwide. He holds 3 U.S. patents for Ethernet security algorithms with two others pending and one defensive publication, as well as numerous other vendor certifications in networking and security.
Purser holds a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Southern Illinois University is currently pursuing a master of science degree in electrical engineering.
The Leader in Network Knowledge
Generators
I work for Generac Power Systems in the sales department. You have *NO IDEA* how many times a day I hear the same thing that you just said. "That doesn't happen around here." And then a year or two later, I get a phone call....and it happened there. Thanks for supporting Generac and purchasing a unit that I'm sure will meet your needs and save you the next time that it does happen there...because it will!
Reply to Jamie
Thank you for making such a great product! Generac is the first and last name in emergency power. I recommend your stuff on my designs and nobody has ever had a problem with their units. I wish all design decisions were that easy!!
Respectfully
Jimmy Ray Purser
Generators
Once the generator is installed remember to periodically start it and transfer the load. You may find issues with items that draw a high current on startup such as air conditioning units. It's often better to turn AC units off until the generator gets up to speed. I've had generators start and take the load and then have the main breaker of the electrical service panel trip. Someone needs to be on hand to verify the desired result occurred - and know what to do if there is a problem.
Check on synthetic crankcase oil for winter - it doesn't thicken. If water cooled, look at non-toxic antifreeze and a block heater. Also keep the starter battery warm, topped off with distilled water, and fully charged. Keep the connections clean. I seem to recall reading that 10% of backup generators fail to start during an emergency.
A spare water pump run by a gas engine would have also saved the day. Belt and suspenders??
I thoroughly enjoy your blogs. Hope you get dried out and back to speed soon.
Reply to DanC
This is GREAT advice! Thank you very much Dan! I will certainly do this
Thank you again
Respectfully
Jimmy Ray
water-powered pumps
There are also backup sump pumps that are powered by, oddly enough, water pressure. They pull pressure from the water main and use that to draw water out of the sump pit...nice if the generator doesn't start or the primary pump's motor burns out.
I'll second that comment.
I'll second that comment. The water based pump saved my parents when the main pump died while they were on vacation. Water bill was high that month, but a much better price than redoing the basement.
Post new comment