News

Eaton Offers Customized Open-Source Software to Address IT Manager Power Challenges

April 03, 2012 by Jeff Shepard

Eaton Corp. states that it is the first uninterruptible power system (UPS) manufacturer in the industry to provide customized open-source software. Over the past 10 years Eaton has created software to enhance the features and benefits of the company’s power products. Eaton is now offering free, customized software designed to address the specific power management needs of information technology (IT) managers.

Eaton’s open-source offering is designed to enable end users to integrate additional functionality into their server operating system or data center management system. The open-source software is intended to allow for control of power devices directly from the server operating system. Users can also retrieve discreet data from Eaton and other power devices to trigger control functions as needed. In the event that a solution is not available on the Eaton open-source website, users may submit a request for Eaton to create customized software to address their needs.

"Open-source software is pervasive in some vertical markets that require a high level of security, like financial institutions," said Hervé Tardy, Eaton vice president and general manager, Distributed Power Quality Division. "Eaton’s open-source power management software is designed to provide a customized, integrated solution that goes beyond those offered by legacy vendors using proprietary technologies and protocols."

Eaton offers free access to the beta version of its software development kit, which provides a library of drivers that may be used with Eaton power devices and many commercially available operating systems. It is available as a simple download on the company’s dedicated open-source website. Additionally users can visit the Eaton sponsored Network UPS Tool website to download drivers for other manufacturers’ power devices.

Eaton states that its Intelligent Power Software Suite is leading the way in the industry through integration with virtualization platforms, such as VMware’s vCenter Server™, vSphere® 5, Citrix® XenCenter® and Microsoft®’s SCVMM.