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Eaton Corporation has made a firmware upgrade to its ConnectUPS Mini-Slot (ConnectUPS-MS) and Network Management Card (NMC) Mini-Slot devices to enable full compatibility with Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) and Simple Network Management Protocol version 3 (SNMPv3).

Eaton's (News - Alert) ConnectUPS-MS and NMC enable users to easily manage, monitor and control remote uninterruptible power systems (UPSs) from Web browsers or industry-standard network management systems. The move is timely what with storm season now underway and with hurricane season just around the corner.

As distributed computing continues to grow, properly managing devices and communications resources in remote locations is vital - as is managing the UPSs that protect these critical assets, says Eaton. Now, with IPv6 compatibility, Eaton's users can take full advantage of the IP's many benefits including vastly increased address space, more efficient addressing and routing infrastructure, enhanced security and improved service.

For enhanced network management, SNMPv3 supports the more efficient IPv6 addressing, offering enhanced security features including data integrity checks, message authentication, privacy (encryption) and access control. These cards allow for easy monitoring and management of the UPS using either a standard Web browser or third-party network management software, or through Eaton's power management software.

Eaton offers a full range of UPS systems. Among them is the Eaton BladeUPS that it says is ideal for blade servers, data centers, networking applications, storage devices and critical IT equipment. The BladeUPS expands power protection from 12 to 60 kW in a single 19-inch rack while reducing energy and cooling costs with its energy-efficient UPS design. The scalable unit packs 12 kW of power into only 6U of rack space and can be deployed in a variety of configurations. Another model is the Eaton MX UPS that is an expandable and online double-conversion rack solution unit that allows adding power as business grows. A firm can expand their system from five to 20 kVA by simply adding an MX Frame and/or more submodules. They can also build in the level of redundancy into the system. The MX can be used for 20 to 110 servers and is ideal for critical systems.

Eaton's UPS products are on the leading edge of design. Its model 9395 UPS recently earned a Gold Sustainable Materials Rating Technology (SMART) certification from the Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability (MTS (News - Alert)). The 9395 operates it says at the highest efficiency in the industry-up to 99 percent-across a wide load range with the Eaton Energy Saver System. The 9395 dramatically improves energy efficiency and sustainability while offering the smallest footprint in its class: 50 to 60 percent less than competitive units. In today's environment where data center growth can be unpredictable, the 9395 is designed to be upgraded in the field by adding modules.

"Intelligently managing power quality systems across the network has become more important than ever," said Hervé Tardy, vice president and general manager, Eaton Distributed Power Quality Business Unit. "This latest firmware upgrade demonstrates how our development teams constantly integrate the latest technology to provide customers with the best solutions to protect and manage their vital assets."