GridJunction 1.1 Available Now
GridJunction 1.1.0.0 Beta is now available for download. Download it, install it, and let us know what you think!
DOWNLOAD NOW
http://forum.wegotserved.co.uk/index.php?showforum=100
Changelog
- Revised: Windows Home Server Shutdown graceful methodology
- Revised: event notifications and logging system
- Windows Events auditing improvement
- Fixed: battery name issue
- Fixed: Event hyperlinks in client environments
- Fixed: Battery Critical event raised when battery levels reach within 10% relative to shutdown margin
- Fixed: Critical Error! Please try to uninstall and re-install GridJunction message at shutdown
- Fixed: Battery Name Exception or Generic Failure
- Added: Windows UPS Battery Alerts deactivation
- Serial RS232 connections are no longer supported; USB connection is required
June 18th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Uhm… Why no serial support?! I’d understand if WHS was based on Vista or Windows 2008, but it’s 2003 and your own survey shows that there’s still quite a few people with serial UPS connections…
June 18th, 2008 at 9:16 am
Although WHS may be based on the Win2003 Server platform we have discovered problems with the build in UPS/Power Battery Alerts Service in particular with the Shutdown mechanics.
See my posts here for more information: http://mediasmartserver.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1380&start=15
GridJunction does not use the Windows build-in power management, in fact version 1.1 disables the build-in Battery alerts to further protect ones Windows Home Server from say previously installed 3rd party power management software (which most likely wasn’t designed for WHS use) and potentially made use of the build-in power functionality and may have left some vacant configuration settings.
Using a non plug-and-play cable (Serial) and not using the build in windows power management to abstract the low level IO would mean that one would need to manually specific COM port and Polarity settings and at the same time we would need to write more GridJunction code to accommodate such and add overall complexity to the program.
June 29th, 2008 at 5:53 am
I just installed the new beta and so far so good. I tested the software by unplugging my UPS from AC power and the software worked as indicated. I have an APC Back UPS RS 1200VA. With the Power Chute software from APC you are able to perform a similar test via the Power Chute software and run a “self-test” on the UPS without having to physically unplug it from the AC power source. What I would like to see is an option to run the same test within the GridJunction software on the WHS console.
July 15th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Another vote for reconsidering dropping RS232 support. Even if it requires some configuration by the end-user — I can’t use GridJunction if it doesn’t support RS-232.
July 15th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Vote acknowledged
July 16th, 2008 at 7:54 am
Another vote for serial support - even if configuration required.
July 17th, 2008 at 10:42 am
+1 on the RS232 support.
July 21st, 2008 at 10:25 am
I agree with leaving serial support in the program. Although I use usb you just never know when some freak thing will happen and you will wind up having to use a serial version of the hardware.
john
July 22nd, 2008 at 10:02 am
-1 on RS232 support.
Apologies for being a dissenting voice. However, I work in Software Development, and I know how difficult and frustrating it can be trying to get everyone’s pet feature into a release, particularly when the feature in question will, at best, serve less than 10% of your user base. And especially when you end up spending 60% or more of your time trying to get that last 10% of functionality to work. At some point you have to say “it’s good enough” and get it out the door.
I also recommend against releasing RS232 support “in the rough”, meaning it will require more user configuration. Yes, there are plenty of savvy users who could handle it, but guaranteed it will be one of biggest sources of complaints and support requests because even more people who don’t know what they are doing will attempt to use it. That’s not fair to the author. The only way I’d do it is if it were released completely “as-is” and very clearly labeled as unsupported and “use at your own risk”.
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:16 am
Hmm… I can’t find anywhere to download any version of GridJunction… the link above takes you to a password protected forum at wegotserved. Is that intentional? I’d like to test the beta.
Thanks
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Another serial request. Like John said, you never know when USB just kind of “wigs” out and you have to resort to serial.
July 30th, 2008 at 1:40 am
Still no feedback on where I can download a version of GridJunction?
August 2nd, 2008 at 5:42 pm
Me too, same as Tim, can’t find download for of GridJunction!
August 8th, 2008 at 1:21 am
My APC Back UPS pro 1400 has no USB port, only an RS-232
So, as many other users, we cannot use your program, since it’s not RS-232 compatible
So I vote for serial add-on !
August 10th, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Question: Is it possible to utilize an RS232->USB adapter cable to get around the “no serial” limitation? I have a Back UPS Pro 650 that has served me well (just upgraded the battery in it!), and it only has an RS232 connection on it.