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With LEUNIG's new ePowerSwitch, operators of remote systems can now check
their device status and switch devices on and off remotely at any time.
Introduced at this year's CeBIT and expected to attract much attention,
the ePowerSwitch is a power strip which can be addressed through Ethernet
or web access. Its security is ensured through password protection.
The expected interest at the CeBIT is not unfounded: the previous, intranet-based
version of the ePowerSwitch was extremely well received at the Munich
"Systems" exhibition, at which numerous service providers proposed an
expansion of the ePowerSwitch's capabilities to include Internet access.
This would allow them to improve the quality of their collocation, server
homing and remote administration services.
"These providers have already said that they plan to view the Internet-capable
ePowerSwitch at Hanover", says company owner Peter Leunig. "Other visitors,
too, including network administrators and facilities management experts,
have indicated their interest, regarding the ePowerSwitch as a means
of overcoming problems with remote equipment."
The ePowerSwitch is a four-socket power strip with an Ethernet connection and a built-in
web server. The web server can be addressed through an IP address with
a web browser. Users can access the web pages of "their" ePowerSwitch
devices, where they can view the devices' status. Alternatively, the
ePowerSwitch can be addressed by a program through the network - a useful
feature for process automation and time control. LEUNIG has redeveloped
the required programming interface.
Users with administrator level access can switch devices on and off individually
by clicking the corresponding icons. Users with a single-socket password
(for example outsourcing customers), can view only the corresponding
switch icon and can operate only this one socket. To restart the connecting
router, for example, a user with single-socket access can click a button
to activate the auto restart function to cause the ePowerSwitch to switch
the connected device off and to automatically switch it on again after
one minute. If several users try to access the switch at the same time,
the device remains under the control of the first user unless he logs
off or does not make an input for two minutes.
The installation of the ePowerSwitch requires only configuration of the IP address, the
subnet mask, the gateway and a password. To allow configuration of the
ePowerSwitch from a PC, the device is equipped with a serial V.24 interface
and is supplied with a 9-pin standard cable. After its configuration
and connection to the Ethernet using a normal patch cable, the ePowerSwitch
is ready for use. There is no limit to the number of ePowerSwitch units
in a network. To facilitate unique identification, user-defined names
can be assigned to all devices and sockets.
Requirements for accessing an ePowerSwitch are a computer with TCP/IP-capability
and a web browser. Any hardware platform and operating system can be
used. The ePowerSwitch is also independent of any other servers connected
to the network. A network with ePowerSwitch devices can also be operated
without server. The ePowerSwitch permanently stores the most recent
switching states in internal memory, so that they can be recalled after
a power failure.
The ePowerSwitch is available as a wall-mounted power strip or in a 19 inch enclosure.
In addition to the standard Schuko version, regional versions for Switzerland,
France/Belgium and the UK are available. The unit price for the ePowerSwitch
is € 349 plus VAT.
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