While we're on the topic of power, here's an exchange that I found on the NANOG list concerning SLCs and power failures. As already presented on nFCTF:
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Subject: SLC Power Failures
As power is being restored throughout the midwestern part of the US,
one interesting feature showed up. A lot of telephone companies are
using Subcriber Loop Carriers (SLCs) to provide service. Some phone
companies are using local power sources with limited battery backup
for some SLCs. With the extended power outages, central offices with
generators maintained service; however, the remote equipment didn't
have local generators. This resulted in people losing their local
loops and telephone service as the power outages lasted for days.
What does this have to with the Internet? Well, it started me thinking
about Southwestern Bell Telephone's new Project Pronto, their plan to
deploy DSL. As part of this, my understanding of the technology, is
the increased equipment huts and remote locations without the same backups
found in central offices.
============first reply:
Unnamed Administration sources reported that [the first poster] said:
> As power is being restored throughout the midwestern part of the US,
> one interesting feature showed up. A lot of telephone companies are
> using Subcriber Loop Carriers (SLCs) to provide service. Some phone
> companies are using local power sources with limited battery backup
> for some SLCs. With the extended power outages, central offices with
> generators maintained service; however, the remote equipment didn't
> have local generators. This resulted in people losing their local
> loops and telephone service as the power outages lasted for days.
Yep... The theory is, the RBOC has portable generators to deploy
as needed. There's a male plug on each to receive same. That
works fine for local failures (truck hits power line..). But
in a widespread debacle, say Hurricane Andrew, earthquake, ice
storm, etc... they have nowhere near enough, nor can they get
them deployed fast enough if they did.
("re: Some" above; I've never seen a generator installation at
a SLC...)
================next reply:
I've noticed that all the newer BellSouth SLCs in this area (Huntsville,
AL) appear to have natural gas hookups. I have been wondering if this
is for some kind of backup power. Anyone else seen this?
=================latest reply, to second poster above:
They were deployed in Maine after a large ice storm a few years back.
I am not sure if they were deployed by BA, or just by the independent
telephone companies. A major drawback was found; they were stolen
with great frequency. After a major natural disaster, there is a a
society-wide shortage of generators. Some scum just cut the securing
chains, or shot out the locks, or ... |
