Categories
Q&A

Generator Test Run Video

I made a quick improvised video of our automatic generator test cycle using my cell phone just for fun this morning for a bit of an inside look at Roller Network and the general sequence of how our generator self test operates. The common practice is to test monthly without load, but simply idling a generator doesn’t indicate it will work during a real outage. Diesels also don’t like to be idled and shut off; they like to work loaded. Unless you take the system on load you aren’t actually testing the whole transfer path.

The most common fault for datacenter transfer switches is failing to transfer. By taking ours on load for tests, we can prove this critical junction between utility and backup power is fully functional.

I recorded this on my EVO which unfortunately doesn’t adjust focus once it starts recording, so everything but the display screens are blurry.

Categories
Announcements Status

Celebrating 365 Days in our New Facility

A year ago on Nov. 22, 2009 shortly after we moved into our new facility with our then new UPS system, we experienced a generator fault that took our UPS offline. We’re fortunate that this incident took place early and afforded us the opportunity to fine tune our electrical system so that we can now mark a full year of uninterrupted service at Roller Network’s new facility in Reno.

Today, November 22, 2010 at 14:33 local time (UTC-8) we are pleased to officially announce 365 days of uninterrupted facility availability at Roller Network. Over the last year our facility has successfully insulated its customers from many external events caused by weather or human error as it was intended to.

  • We’ve tested our generator on load 26 times, or every two weeks, for a period of one hour each. These tests were performed in a fully automatic manner without any human intervention.
  • There have been at least two utility outages that initiated an automatic generator start and transfer outside of the scheduled testing. In conjunction with the UPS, the generator successfully powered our facility for several hours until utility power was restored.
  • We performed at least one “lights out” test. In this test we open the building service disconnect to simulate a utility outage, whereas the bi-weekly generator tests are performed by the exerciser clock with an option to fall back to utility power. This also lets us practice running the business office without full power available and refine procedures.

Thank you to all of our customers who continue to support us: it is because of you that we are able to continue to maintain our facility to such standards.

Categories
Announcements

End of 2010 Colocation Pricing

The end of 2010 special pricing offers have now expired.

If you’re interested in colocating with Roller Network, contact us at sales@rollernet.us or +1-775-284-0383. Same day setup is available for servers in shared space. We welcome colocations of all size: personal servers, businesses requiring multiple racks, and everything in between.

Categories
IPv6

AfriNIC gets 105/8

It looks like AfriNIC was given a /8 earlier than expected; previously they were estimated to request an /8 in 2011. ARIN is rumored to request two /8’s shortly as well before the end of 2010.

As we like to keep mentioning, Roller Network offers an IPv6 enabled network. We are also continuing to diligently work on enabling incoming IPv6 SMTP for our primary mail service. Many of our other services (DNS, outbound mail, hosted mail, colocation) are already IPv6 enabled.

Categories
Announcements

Mac Mini Colocation for $49

We’ve added a shelf for a recent Mac Mini colo in one of our racks, leaving extra space for others. Colocation for a Mac Mini is only $49 per month ($99 setup) which includes everything you’ll need:

  • Remote reboot outlet
  • 3 Mbps Committed Rate Bandwidth
  • IPv4 /29 subnet (IPv6 subnet optional)
  • Private VLAN with port statistics

This is a perfect Mac colocation package for personal, hobbyist, and small businesses.

This post is from Sep 30th, 2010, but we decided to bump it back to the top. Updated December 5, 2011.