Restarting modem/router through software

[Paul Smith]

On 1/7/07, Mikkel L. Ellertson <mikkel at infinity-ltd.com> wrote:
> >> >> From time to time, my modem/router sticks and I have to switch it off
> >> > and then on again. Can that be done only with software, without using
> >> > the modem physical switcher?
> >> >
> >> It depends on how it "sticks". If it has a WEB/based interface, and
> >> that works when the router 'sticks", then you may be able to do a
> >> software reset. If it is locking up, and not responding to the
> >> outside world, then you are limited to the switch or some other
> >> method of turning off the power, and turning it back on.
> >>
> >> Have you checked for a firmware upgrade for the modem/router that
> >> fixes the "sticking" problem?
> >
> > Thanks, Mikkel. The modem was supplied by my ISP and there is no
> > documentation at all. I have tried to upgrade the firmware, but I
> > always get "time out", even with the firewall off. And yes, there is a
> > web interface for the modem. My problem is that during the night I
> > leave my computer downloading and the downloads are interrupted
> > because the Internet connection becomes sort of blocked (needing a
> > power off and on of the modem).
> >
> One thing you may want to check on is if the public IP address you
> have changes during the night. Your DHCP lease may be expiring, and
> you are getting a "new" IP address. I would also look into the
> settings for the modem to see if it has something like a timeout
> setting. Depending on the type of download you are doing, it is
> possible that your modem is not seeing the activity and is turning
> itself off.
>
> As far as upgrading the firmware, because it is your ISP's modem,
> and not yours, it may be locked so that you need a password in order
> to update the firmware.
>
> In any case, before you spend too much time on trying to work around
> the problem with the modem, I would first try to get your ISP to fix
> the problem with the modem. You should also check your TOS and AUP
> to make sure that doing overnight downloads are allowed. I would not
> expect any problems with a cable or DSL connection. But I remember
> dialup connections that would time out after 4 hours, and require me
> to wait a bit before connecting again.
>
> If you have to come up with a work-around, check to see if you can
> reset the modem using the web interface instead of power-cycling it.
> If so, you can probably set up a wget or Lynx command to do the same
> thing. (On my modem, it is a form post command that does the reset.)

My connection is an ADSL one and I cannot find a timeout setting in
the modem configuration. In any case, I will switch off/on the modem
more often, to check whether the problem is caused by a IP change.

And yes, the modem is reset after a "saving settings" from the web interface.

Paul