The Software:
Once the unit was mounted, connected to the computer, and ready to go, I turned my attention to the software. What was strange is that the software included didn't mention anything about Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 2003, or Linux (however OS/2 is supported). I decided to give it a try on Windows 2003 Standard Server anyway. Unfortunately it didn't work. Seems the included software is a bit old, so I went over to Opti-UPS's website and found some updated versions:
Here it doesn't specify which versions of windows are supported, but they do now list Linux support. So I decided to go a head and download this version and see what happened.
It was pretty much a standard install, with one exception. By choosing this date format it allows the software to be used in different parts of the world (for example in the UK they do DD/MM/YYYY instead of the MM/DD/YYYY we do in the US).
Once the new software was installed, and the system rebooted, I checked the Device Manager:
Looks like success to me. However, I did have a problem with the software finding the UPS. I then noticed a new icon in my taskbar, I clicked on it and was as given an option to enable the communications:
Not sure why I had to enable this, and it wasn't done so by default. Possibly it has something to do with the older software.
Here we get to see the application. It displays a lot of information about the UPS. such as load, Voltage, battery charge, battery life (when power is off), as well as allowing you to run test and check on information. As I said, I do like the ability to be able to remotely turn off/on the outlets, however one odd thing I found is outlet #1 & 2 are both tied together so you can not switch one off/on with out the other. Nothing major, just something worth keeping in mind.
 
 
Conclusion:
Well it's pretty hard to get excited about something as "mundane" as a UPS, however I really like this unit. Its price (especially at Computergeeks.com) is great, it has features of much more expensive units, and makes me feel a little safer knowing its around. Computergeeks.com currently sells this UPS for $128.99 (US), and a search of PriceGrabber shows that a UPS like this can cost far more!
One of the disadvantages of a lower price UPS such as this is that the power is not being supplied directly by the batteries. When power is lost it is switched from a transformer to the battery. While in most cases this won't cause a problem, if the UPS is under heavy load, or your equipment is very sensitive, it might not stay up during the transfer (which is approximately 4ms). So this is an important thing to keep in mind when not only buying this UPS but, any UPS. If you want/need real time protection, then be prepared to pay for it.
Overall I would recommend this unit to anyone with light to moderate UPS needs, and either a 19" rack or home entertainment system they would like to protect.
Final Rating (4.5 out of 5 stars):  
Pros:
• Great price
• Very full featured UPS
• Informative front panel display
• All hardware/software included
• Easy replaceable batteries
• Cooling fan
Cons:
• Out of date software included
• Not real time battery protection
Special thanks to Computergeeks.com for supplying the Opti-UPS SM-B120A-RM 1100VA Rack Mount UPS to BigBruin.Com for review!
Please drop by the BigBruin.Com forum and feel free to discuss this review.
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