In a world where even a momentary power flicker can mean dropped calls, lost data, or a full-scale network outage, a reliable uninterruptible power supply (UPS) isn't just an accessory—it's a necessity. Ubiquiti Inc., a leader in professional networking technology, has just answered the call of sysadmins and home lab enthusiasts alike with two critical new additions to its Unifi lineup: the Unifi UPS Tower and the Unifi UPS 2U.
This move solidifies Ubiquiti's commitment to providing an end-to-end solution for network resilience, building upon their existing offerings like the Switch Enterprise with a built-in battery and their proprietary backup systems for rack-mounted gear. Let's dive into what makes these new UPS units a game-changer for keeping your servers and networks online.
The Unifi UPS Tower: Desktop Power Protection, Simplified
Designed for versatility, the Unifi UPS Tower is the perfect companion for desktop workstations, smaller networking setups, or as a central power hub for critical devices. Its form factor allows it to fit seamlessly into an office environment without requiring a dedicated rack.
Where it truly shines is in its connectivity. The Tower boasts a total of ten C13 outlets (for standard C14 plugs), all of which are surge-protected to shield your valuable equipment from voltage spikes. Crucially, five of these ports are battery-backed, ensuring that your core devices—like a router, switch, and network-attached storage (NAS)—remain operational during a power failure.
Under the hood, the unit features a 102Wh, hot-swappable battery. This means you can replace the battery without shutting down connected equipment, a vital feature for maintaining uptime. Performance-wise, it can deliver a full load of 1,000VA/600W for approximately two minutes, giving you ample time to save work and initiate a graceful shutdown. At a more typical half-load, the runtime extends to a more comfortable seven minutes.
Standing at about 11 inches tall and weighing 17.6 lbs, the Tower is a substantial yet manageable unit. For those ready to integrate this layer of protection, the Unifi UPS Tower is available for purchase now directly from Ubiquiti's official store for $159.
The Unifi UPS 2U: Rack-Mounted Resilience for Demanding Setups
For larger setups housed in a server rack, the Unifi UPS 2U is the clear choice. This 19-inch rack-mounted unit offers a significant boost in capacity, making it ideal for protecting a full stack of Unifi gear, including a Dream Machine Pro, switches, and access point controllers.
The most notable upgrade is the larger 216Wh internal battery, which is also hot-swappable and conveniently accessible from the front of the unit. This increased capacity allows the UPS 2U to support a higher power draw—1,500VA or 1,000W—for about 2.3 minutes at full load. At half load, users can expect up to 8 minutes of runtime.
With a compact installation depth of just 300mm, it's designed to fit perfectly into shallow network cabinets, a common constraint in many deployment scenarios. In terms of outlets, it features a streamlined "4+4" C13 configuration, providing eight battery-backed and surge-protected ports. It retains the same network integration features as its Tower sibling.
As a 2U rack unit, it does command a higher price point of $279, reflecting its enhanced capacity and professional form factor. Availability is slated for later this month.
Seamless Integration and Standalone Monitoring
A key feature that unites both UPS models is their built-in Network UPS Tools (NUT) server. For those deeply embedded in the Unifi ecosystem, the devices will seamlessly integrate with the Unifi Network Application, providing centralized monitoring, alerts, and status updates right alongside your other network devices.
However, the integrated NUT server is a powerful feature for those operating in mixed environments. It means you don't necessarily need a Unifi Controller to monitor the UPS's status. The units can communicate directly with other systems on your network, providing vital data like battery level, load, and runtime, allowing for automated shutdown commands to servers regardless of their brand.
The Bottom Line: A Unified Approach to Uptime
The introduction of the Unifi UPS Tower and Unifi UPS 2U marks a significant step in Ubiquiti's mission to create a cohesive and resilient networking ecosystem. By offering tailored solutions for both desktop and rack-mounted applications, they are providing a critical piece of infrastructure that was previously often sourced from third parties.
With features like hot-swappable batteries, surge-protected network ports, and dual monitoring paths via Unifi and NUT, these UPS units are not just power backups; they are intelligent nodes designed to keep your digital world running smoothly, no matter what happens to the grid. For anyone serious about network stability, these new Unifi UPS devices are worth a very close look.
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