Summary

The APC Switched Rack PDU provides an 8 outlet, rack-mountable power strip with the ability to remotely power on/off selected outlets. A standard 100/120V 15A outlet is all that is required. It is perfect for cabinet applications or even plywood wall mounting. Remotely power cycle those "flaky" devices in your datacenter or server room without having to leave your desk!

Manufacturer Part # AP7900

Features:

• 19 inch Rack-Mountable
• Alarm Thresholds
• Defineable Outlet Control
• Flash Upgradeable
• Power Sequencing
• Remote Management Capabilities

Installation

The PDU comes with a 12' long cable, mounting ears, and an additional support bracket. With the long power cable you can mount the PDU anywhere within a full height cabinet / rack. I mounted the PDU in the top of my cabinet in less than 15 minutes. Note that the included hardware does not include cage nuts or any bolts so you will have to supply your own.

Configuration

Configuration is relatively simple.  I connected the included serial cable to my laptop (if you are lucky enough to have a laptop that still has a serial port!) and logged in with the default user and password.  First thing first, I reset the administrator username and created a new password.  The simple menu'd console interface was easy to use.

I configured the network interface and created names for several outlets.  One item to note is that some settings require you to "Apply Changes" via the menu before moving back to the previous menu or your changes will be lost.

More to come...?

Thoughts

The APC Switched Rackmount PDU was simple to install and easy to configure.  While not a must in all your environments, it certainly can be convenient in any situation that may require you to remotely cycle power to a device.