Is there any consistency among network operators how they operate their networks when they know a possibility of imminent failure exists? 1. Do you attempt to preserve service as long as possible, including running equipment to the point of destruction? 2. Do you attempt to minimize recovery time by shutting down equipment to a "safe" condition before failure? If you are running a database/transaction oriented system, I would expect you want to put the database into a stable condition. On the other hand, if you are operating mostly communication equipment, you would want to leave it operating as long as possible. I'm aware of a variety of proprietary software shutdown programs associated with UPS vendors. But I'm wondering do any "open standards" exist for initiating soft shutdowns?