Dear $SEVERAL_USERS$

[goose-entity.livejournal.com]

(Work for a university)

Yes, we had a power outage today.

Yes, about half of the campus.

Yes, this *does* include the server room.

Yes, I know the lights just came back on.

No, you will not be able to log in yet.

Why?

Because the power came back on 30 seconds ago, and the SERVERS ARE NOT RUNNING YET!

You're getting an error message of "the domain controller cannot be found"? That's because THE SERVERS ARE NOT RUNNING YET!

.... *sigh* ....

Comments

[ianwalker.livejournal.com]

I work for a University as well, and I remember last summer, during one power outage, people didn't know why they couldn't turn the computers on in one of the labs. These people are getting degrees, and they don't get why electrical appliances don't work when the power is out. They don't even have to know that power is out across campus, just that NONE OF THE LIGHTS TURN ON IN THE BUILDING YOU'RE IN, so maybe that means the power is out? Blows my fucking mind.

[sheryls.livejournal.com]

what? no diesel backup generators? tsk ;)

[d0rx0r.livejournal.com]

aye aye

[sheryls.livejournal.com]

omg, gloops. <3.

[goose-entity.livejournal.com]

the diesels were too busy making sure that the elevators worked, and that there was something resembling light (like, one in five lights?)

No air con. Phones worked!

"Oh noes! No computers!"

[network-nerd.livejournal.com]

I recall writing up a trouble ticket where my explanation began:

"During network outages, some network functions are not available...."

[goose-entity.livejournal.com]

"Right after I pull the winning lottery numbers out of my arse...."

The stupid. It no longer burns... just irritates!

Same thing happened, same job

[kait-the-great.livejournal.com]

Didn't get calls when our power came back up, but this was my fav call from off campus while it was down:

Them: My email just stopped working.
Me: Yes, unfortunately the power is off on most of campus, including this building, where the servers are.
Them: OH my GAWD! The power's just out?
Me: Um, yes. Some buildings are still up, but this one is down.
Them: OH my GAWD! What HAPPENED?
Me: ...Well, it's winter, and we had a lot of snowfall last night, but it might also be a campus thing. It happens from time to time.
Them: OH my GAWD! WOW!
Me: Right. Well, sorry about the interupted service, but we should be back up by the afternoon.

Makes me wish that the phones didn't work during power outages.

[dirtymatt.livejournal.com]

It's a university. My guess is the building the server room is in was built 50 years ago and at no point has been properly upgraded to support a real server room. Around here the diesel provides enough juice to keep the electronic locks, security cameras, and *some* lights on. I'm fairly certain the elevators stop dead when the power goes out too. Our UPS system gives us enough time to make sure all of the important servers get shut down properly, maybe.

[dirtymatt.livejournal.com]

We get that too. I think mainly because we're the only people who don't stand around with our thumbs up our collective asses when anything goes wrong. And for some reason that includes evacuating buildings during fire alarms. "This is not a test, you have to leave the building now." Professor goes on teaching, "it is illegal to remain in a building while the fire alarm is going off, if the police show up every single person in this room can be arrested." Make a mental note of the room, inform security, look up professor's name later and inform his dean. Ahh the joys of being a bastard.