Supermicro PWS-920P-SQ Power Module with BBP Battery Backup Power

The Supermicro PWS-920P-SQ Power Module brings groundbreaking Battery Backup Power (BBP) technology directly into the standard redundant power supply form factor. Designed for mission-critical servers and storage environments, this module protects data integrity, accelerates recovery from outages, and ensures uninterrupted service during power irregularities. Built to integrate seamlessly with Supermicro platforms, the PWS-920P-SQ delivers reliable, cost-effective uptime protection without complicating chassis layouts or management workflows. With BBP, you gain a robust layer of resilience that minimizes risk, supports graceful shutdowns, and keeps core workloads online when electrical conditions are unpredictable.

• Battery Backup Power (BBP) for critical workloads: The PWS-920P-SQ embeds BBP technology to provide stored energy during power interruptions, giving your servers and storage arrays the time they need to complete essential operations. This translates to safer data handling, orderly shutdowns when needed, and a dramatic reduction in potential data loss caused by sudden outages. By preserving write integrity and reducing the risk of corruption, BBP helps organizations maintain service level agreements and protect valuable information in demanding data-center environments.
• Form factor designed for effortless integration: This power module is contained in the same footprint as a Supermicro redundant AC power supply, enabling you to upgrade or deploy BBP capabilities without rearranging rack space or cabling. The standardized form factor simplifies procurement, inventory management, and field installation, making it easy to scale reliability across multiple chassis while preserving existing power architectures. The seamless fit means fewer compatibility questions and faster ROI for uptime investments.
• Hot-swappable and maintenance-friendly: The PWS-920P-SQ is engineered for hot-swappable operation, allowing field technicians to service or replace modules with minimal downtime. This keeps critical systems available while maintenance occurs, aligning with high-availability policies and reducing the impact of routine upkeep on production workloads. The design emphasizes reliability in the field, where technicians can swap BBP modules quickly without powering down servers.
• Cost-effective uptime protection: By consolidating BBP capabilities within the same power module framework you already rely on, the PWS-920P-SQ minimizes capital expenditures and operating costs associated with separate backup power solutions. It delivers targeted protection for mission-critical servers and storage, helping to lower total cost of ownership while delivering meaningful improvements in uptime. It’s a practical choice for data centers seeking to balance budget with resilience in essential operations.
• Broad compatibility with Supermicro ecosystems: The PWS-920P-SQ is built to work with Supermicro servers and storage configurations that support BBP-enabled modules and the same physical footprint as their redundant AC power supplies. This compatibility extends across a range of chassis and enclosure types in the Supermicro lineup, empowering organizations to standardize BBP across diverse deployments. Management visibility, status indicators, and integration with existing monitoring tools are designed to be straightforward, reducing the learning curve and accelerating deployment timelines.

Technical Details of Supermicro PWS-920P-SQ Power Module

• Model: PWS-920P-SQ Power Module
• BBP Technology: Battery Backup Power (BBP) platform designed to support mission-critical server and storage operations with stored energy during power interruptions
• Form Factor: Integrated within the same footprint as Supermicro redundant AC power supplies for plug-and-play upgrade or installation
• Redundancy and Availability: Hot-swappable and compatible with redundant configurations to minimize downtime during maintenance or failures
• Management and Indicators: Supports standard server management workflows with status indicators to monitor BBP health, charge state, and operational readiness

how to install Supermicro PWS-920P-SQ Power Module

• Power down the system and disconnect it from all power sources before beginning installation.
• Verify chassis compatibility and ensure there is an available redundant power slot designed for BBP modules in the enclosure.
• If replacing an existing AC module, carefully remove it according to the chassis maintenance guidelines and set it aside.
• Align the PWS-920P-SQ module with the intended slot, insert firmly, and ensure connectors engage securely. Do not force the module to fit; if resistance is encountered, re-align and retry.
• Secure the module in place, reconnect power, and power on the system. Use the server’s management interface to confirm BBP status, verify health indicators, and confirm that the module is recognized by the enclosure and the operating system. If applicable, run a brief interim test to validate battery backing during simulated power events.

Frequently asked questions

• Q: What is Battery Backup Power (BBP) and why do I need it? A: Battery Backup Power is a technology that stores energy to sustain critical components during power interruptions, enabling orderly shutdowns, data integrity preservation, and reduced downtime. It is particularly valuable in data centers, where even short outages can impact business operations. BBP complements traditional power redundancy by providing an extra layer of resilience for essential workloads.
• Q: Is the PWS-920P-SQ hot-swappable? A: Yes. The design supports hot-swappable operation, allowing rapid replacement or maintenance of the BBP module without taking servers offline in many configurations. This helps maintain availability and reduces maintenance-related disruption.
• Q: Which systems are compatible with the PWS-920P-SQ? A: The module is designed to fit Supermicro servers and storage configurations that share the same redundant power supply footprint and BBP integration approach. It is intended to integrate with the Supermicro ecosystem for streamlined deployment and management.
• Q: How does BBP improve uptime and data safety? A: BBP provides stored energy that empowers the system to continue operating momentarily during a power disturbance or to perform a safe, orderly shutdown if necessary. This minimizes abrupt data writes, protects ongoing transactions, and preserves data integrity during interruptions, ultimately reducing the risk of data loss and service disruption.
• Q: Do I need special software to monitor BBP? A: In most Supermicro environments, BBP status can be monitored through standard server management tools and chassis indicators. Depending on your hardware and firmware version, you may access BBP health, charge level, and alert notifications via the platform’s management console. Firmware updates may be recommended to optimize BBP performance and compatibility.