Restarting an Ethernet modem (ADSL) with software

[Gene Heskett]

On Thursday 12 April 2007, William Case wrote:
>Hi Hugh;
>
>On Thu, 2007-04-12 at 14:07 -0400, D. Hugh Redelmeier wrote:
>> | From: William Case <billlinux at rogers.com>
>
>[snip]
>
>> Rogers.com isn't ADSL, it is cable TV broadband (DOCSIS).
>
>Thanks, never got it straight in my mind what to call it until now.
>
>> I ask because this sounds like you have a solution in mind for some
>> problem and I suspect that there might be a better solution.
>>
>> William: I have found that my Rogers cable modems have been quite
>> reliable (Lancity then SB5100).  Certainly more reliable than the rest
>> of their network.  When I call Rogers with a trouble report, they
>> often ask me to power cycle the modem but it has almost never makes a
>> difference.
>
>I have the Motorola SB5100 too.  About every three weeks my Internet
>service goes down.  I have gotten so I just power cycle and it works
>again.  Last time I called Rogers they said that they had checked me
>remotely and that I was using a router therefore they couldn't help.  On
>an earlier call I mentioned I was on Linux and they said they
>couldn't/wouldn't help.  They have talked to me (never actually
>suggested anything that helped) when I have had WindowsXP booted at the
>time of the call.
>
>No I don't have an idea for a solution, but I had hoped someone had a
>suggestion on how I might try to power cycle from my computer rather
>than running (or walking) down to the basement all the time.
>
>[snip]
>
>> More detailed discussion of the division of labour in home network
>> components:
>>
>> Each of DOCSIS and ADSL require their own modems to convert the
>> signal coming into your house into ethernet.
>>
>> With Rogers version of DOCSIS, the modem presents a regular TCP/IP
>> ethernet access to the internet to the in-house network.  With one
>> globally-routable IPv4 address.  (I have heard that they will let you
>> have more IP addresses for a fee.)
>
>[snip]
>
>> For most people, a broadband router is useful as an intermediary
>> between their modem and their modem (ADSL or DOCSIS).
>>
>> - broadband routers usually know how to do PPPoE
>>
>> - the typical router is an inexpensive turnkey box.  It should require
>>   little maintenance and "just work".  Unaffected by computer upgades.
>>
>> - it allows multiple computers to connect to your LAN by using NAT
>>   (NAPT really).  Most have built-in switches allowing 4 computers
>>   to be directly connected (more with external switches).
>>
>> - it protects your LAN with a simple firewall (mostly: because of
>>   NAPT, by default (i.e. without port forwarding) all communication
>>   with the internet has to be initiated from the LAN side)
>>
>> - many broadband routers include an 802.11g wireless access point
>>
>> - most service providers will support broadband routers more willingly
>>   than Linux (most of their MS Windows customers use them too).
>>
>> A broadband router isn't needed if you only have one computer and you
>> trust its firewall.  A broadband router isn't sufficient if you have
>> gateway policies that it cannot implement.
>
>I have three computers; mine and two users with rogers.com sub-accounts
>under my main account using the router to connect through one Motorola
>modem.
>
>By the way, this is a lot of good stuff to know that you have provided.
>Thanks.
>
>--
>Regards Bill

You could plug it into an x10 appliance switch, and have heyu turn it off & 
back on...


-- 
Cheers, Gene
"There are four boxes to be used in defense of liberty:
 soap, ballot, jury, and ammo. Please use in that order."
-Ed Howdershelt (Author)
It is better to have loved a short man than never to have loved a tall.