What is a benefit of having an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) attached to a server?

Having an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) attached to a server primarily provides short-term protection that allows for a safe shutdown of the server during power interruptions. This is critical because when the power supply is interrupted, the UPS immediately kicks in, providing backup battery power. This ensures that the server remains operational for a limited period, giving administrators the necessary time to either restore power or perform a controlled shutdown. This controlled shutdown helps prevent data corruption and hardware damage that can occur if a server suddenly loses power.

Other choices might suggest benefits that are either overstated or inaccurate. For example, while a UPS provides power during outages, it is not designed to sustain a server through a long power outage, as is implied in one of the options. The function of a UPS is not to replace the need for power supplies but to act as an intermediary that temporarily maintains power during short-term interruptions. Additionally, a UPS does not provide permanent power; rather, it is a stop-gap solution to manage power inconsistencies and enhance system reliability.