[NTLUG:Discuss] Zero U power strip with remote access to check amperage?

[Neil Aggarwal]

Hello:

I am hoping some of you guys also maintain colo 
facilities and can help me find a product that 
fits my needs.

I am about to rent another 1/2 cabinet from a local colo
facility.  While setting this up, I wanted to see if
I can find some zero U power strips to install before
I put in my servers.  My existing PDUs all take up
1U which seems to be a waste of usable space.

According to the facility, they provide a PDU
on a 20 Amp circuit.  As far as I can tell, that
will have NEMA 5-20R receptacles so I can plug
in either a 5-15P or 5-20P plug.

So far, I have been guessing that my amp usage is
not above the circuit by estimating 1 Amp per U,
but I am afraid that metric is outdated as I start 
to use higher density servers.  The last thing I
want is to blow a circuit breaker and have my
production servers shut down.

I know there are power strips that have digital
readouts with amp usage as well as some that have
remote access.  For example, here is one from APC:
http://www.apc.com/products/resource/include/techspec_index.cfm?base_sku=AP7
831

But, it is only 15 Amp instead of 20 (Their 20 Amp one has
a different plug).  Also, it is too big for 1/2 rack
and is realtively expensive.

Are there other products you can recommend I look at?

Requirements:
1. Must fit in 21 U space
2. 20 Amp preferred, but 15 Amp OK.
3. Must have 5-20P or 5-15P plug.
4. Must have 5-20R or 5-15R receptacles.
5. Web-based access to check amp usage.

I was also thinking I could use a separate
digital ammeter.  Do any of those have remote 
access capability?

Thanks,
	Neil

--
Neil Aggarwal, (972)834-1565, http://UnmeteredVPS.net/centos
Virtual private server with CentOS 5.5 preinstalled
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