SY0-701 Question 248
Single answerPower: Generators , Uninterruptible power supply (UPS)A regional office hosts security appliances, badge access controllers, and a small virtualization cluster in an on-site server room. During a utility power outage, the systems stay online for about 10 minutes and then shut down cleanly. The facility generator starts automatically, but the IT team notices there is still a brief interruption before generator power stabilizes. Management wants critical systems to remain available during short outages and also continue operating when the generator is starting. Which solution best addresses this requirement?
- A
Replace the generator with a higher-wattage model
- B
Install a UPS between the critical systems and the power source
- C
Connect the servers directly to surge protectors until generator power is available
- D
Use a power distribution unit (PDU) with additional outlets for the server rack
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The best answer is to install a UPS for the critical systems. In real-world environments, generators and UPS units serve complementary purposes. A generator supports extended operation during longer outages, but it usually requires time to detect the outage, start, and transfer load. A UPS provides instantaneous short-term power with no startup delay, allowing systems to continue operating during that transition and to shut down gracefully if backup power is not restored. This layered approach is consistent with common business continuity and physical security best practices, where critical infrastructure such as security systems, servers, and access control devices are placed on UPS power and supported by generator capacity for prolonged disruptions. Vendor documentation from APC, Eaton, CyberPower, and data center power design guidance commonly describe UPS systems as the bridge between utility failure and generator availability.
- A. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A larger generator may provide more total capacity, but it does not eliminate the startup delay that occurs between utility power loss and generator output becoming stable. The issue in the scenario is the brief gap in power continuity, not merely insufficient wattage.
- B. Correct.
Correct. A UPS is specifically designed to provide immediate battery-backed power when utility power fails, bridging the gap until a generator starts and stabilizes. In a security context, this helps keep critical systems such as access control, security appliances, and servers online without interruption during short outages and generator transfer events.
- C. Incorrect.
Incorrect. Surge protectors help protect against voltage spikes, but they do not provide battery backup or continuous power during an outage. This is a common misconception: surge suppression and backup power are different functions.
- D. Incorrect.
Incorrect. A PDU helps distribute power within a rack and may offer monitoring in some models, but it does not provide ride-through battery power during an outage unless it is part of a separate UPS-backed design. Additional outlets do not solve the continuity problem described.