I am looking for a 110v switch controlled either by RS232 or USB. The purpose is to cycle power to my router and DSL modem. I have written some mailing list software which works real well. Unfortunately my DSL connection must be reset on occasion, and during that time my lists are down. The router automatically logs back on through the modem when power is cycled. I do not want elaborate network functionality, and I only need one switch. I am sure what I want exists, but I cannot find it after numerous google searches. I would appreciate info anyone has. Thanks
The cheapest and easiest solution is a simple timer, that would cycle the router/modem, say, every day at 2am. (the down time would be controlled by how you can control the timer - might be 5-10 min?). A few bucks at Target...
Does the "computer" know when the router needs to be cycled? (or can it figure it out by way of something like "ping")? If you go a free com port, a simple program could do something like toggle DTR/DSR and a simple circuit could control a relay which bounces the router/modem.
Sound like your ISP should be able to clear this up too... But don't trust the bozo that answers the phone.. They work off a checklist, which, in my experience is often wrong.. They might pass you on to someone who read a book about DSL and knows the busswords (l2 support). You need to get to the folks above that who pretty much understand the problem and have the knowledge/tools to find and fix it
I had a stange problem like this with DSL a few years back, and once I got ahold of someone who knew what they were doing, we tracked it down to a bad caller-id box on the line. Been rock solid ever since - over two years. (my DSL was getting messed up 1-2 times a day before that)
It can be down awhile. When my mailing list software fails to connect POP or SMTP consistently for 10 minutes, I might have it cycle power to the router and modem. Most likely I will write a standalone program to accept messages from all mailing list servers, such as login failures. Logic to manipulate the switch, when, and configuration will be in the standalone program.
This solution would work, but not well. If I go out of town, it would bring the connection back, but if the connection fell off at 3am, my discussion lists would be down for 23 hours. Besides, I want activity written to a log file so I have a record of what happens.
Yes, the computer knows. It cannot attain POP3 or SMTP login. Maybe the connection is good and there's another problem, that is possible, but such is rare. If POP3 or SMTP servers are down, and the connection is still good, the power would just get cycled anyway. In the standalone program I write I might have it try to hit a few places first, then if that fails cycle power.
I know well how hard it is to get to the right person. That is not an issue here and they will not do anything to help me. I have a dynamic connection and not a static connection. Static connections are available but they cost more. I have no need for that. I do not do web hosting and have no need for a fixed IP address. ISPs regularly cycle dynamic connections and there's no way to make them change that.
I feel I could make what I want. It would be a little difficult but not too bad. Cheap circuits exist which interrogate characters/bytes via RS232. I might use DTR, CD, or RTS as a trigger signal, but I would not want a sustained load. It's been twenty years since I did any RS232 stuff like that.
Are you saying your DSL never falls off? Is it a static (assigned) IP address or dynamic? Mine has lasted up to two weeks. Sometimes it lasts two days. Once in awhile I have to cycle power twice in a day.
Someone named David McDivitt Proclaimed on Sun, 16 May 2004 19:36:54 -0500,
Try searching for "USB relay control",and "USB relay control interface". What you really need is a relay, not a switch. I found a bunch of I/O devices that look like they would be perfect for that application.
That's a neat item, too. Don't know how you found so many. Must be better at google searches than me. It doesn't say how to communicate with the AR-2 Relay Interface. Send characters? Toggle DTR, RTS? I emailed the company to get details.
I had to contact the company to get a price for the USB relay, too. Will post what they say.
Someone named David McDivitt Proclaimed on Mon, 17 May 2004 00:01:41 -0500,
Hi David,
I started getting all kinds of ideas too when I saw what was out there. I'm glad you asked about these things! Here is what they say about the AR-2, they also have an AR-2S that comes with 2 digital inputs.
AR-2 RELAY INTERFACE...The AR-2 relay interface is a stand alone relay interface for connection to RS-232 which provides software control of (2) relays which are included and mounted on the AR-2 circuit assembly. The relays are energized or de-energized by using the RS-232 control signals DTR and RTS. The AR-2 relay interface is used when only 1 or 2 relays are required (such as to control a line printer). The AR-2 is only for use with RS-232 ports which support DTR and RTS and is not expandable. The EN-B instrument case may be used to house the AR-2 if an enclosure is required. The relays are SPDT rated at 12 amp 240 volts AC. A terminal block is provided for power supply and relay contact connections. Requires the PS-GP-1 power supply and serial cable (sold separately). RS-232 connection is via a DE-9 (to order cable, add the suffix /AR-2 to the any of the serial cables shown in the section describing connector cables). The AR-2 may be connected to USB using the CO-USB converter. Control software examples in Basic, Visual Basic and C are provided with the order. COM 1 thru COM 4 supported. Dimensions... 2.375" by 3".
AR-2S RELAY INTERFACE...The AR-2S relay interface is similar to the AR-2, except that two digital inputs are provided in addition to the two relays. The inputs may be used to input the on/off status of push buttons, contacts, alarms or to determine the status of equipment, etc. (inputs are optically isolated). Input status is indicated via the RS-232 status lines DSR and DCD (CTS may be used as a supervisory signal to monitor for the AR-2S connection and power). A terminal block is provided for connection to the inputs, power source and relay contacts. The EN-B instrument case may be used to house the AR-2S if an enclosure is required. Requires the PS-GP-1 power supply and serial cable (sold separately). RS-232 connection is via a DE-9 (to order cable, add the suffix /AR-2S to the any of the serial cables shown in the section describing connector cables). Relays are rated at 12 amp,
240 VAC with SPDT contacts. COM 1 thru COM 4 supported. The AR-2S may be connected to USB using the CO-USB converter. Includes reference and software. Dimensions are 3" by 3".
Supplying sustained current through DSR or DCD is not a good idea, especially in a PC with everything on the motherboard. But that does make control simpler. No character recognition is required. If contacts are normally closed, current on the RS232 pins would not have to be sustained for long. An add-on serial board should be used. They are cheap. The USB conversion is nice, but again, only an add-on board should be used. This product handles much higher amps than the USB only product at the other site which only does .4 amps, and this product has a good price. Also VB and C programming examples are provided so I wouldn't have to look so much up.
The mantra for TTL was that it sinks far better than it sources. Through a simple inverter and a + on a pin can turn on a relay or Triac.
And there are several devices that leach power from RS232 (1wire, etc).
I've done an optoisolator (MOC3010) to control a triac (I forget which, tab is NOT hot though) to control lights and other AC.
A parallel port or game output of an Apple // could control it.
Right now I've got a 14 port WeedTech digital IO that controls several relays (like disable the sprinkler (20VDC) when it's raining).
The weedtech takes ASCII commands out the serial port to turn things on or sense state changes on input pins.
Blackbox has also has devices with 1 AC outlet and an RS-232 on it. A client using Failover HA systems used it to have machine B make SURE that machine A was off.
-I am looking for a 110v switch controlled either by RS232 or USB. The
-purpose is to cycle power to my router and DSL modem. I have written some
-mailing list software which works real well. Unfortunately my DSL connection
-must be reset on occasion, and during that time my lists are down. The
-router automatically logs back on through the modem when power is cycled. I
-do not want elaborate network functionality, and I only need one switch. I
-am sure what I want exists, but I cannot find it after numerous google
-searches. I would appreciate info anyone has. Thanks
Get an X10 Firecracker kit and an X10 appliance switch. The Firecracker is a RS232 controlled wireless X10 transmitter that controls a wireless receiver that plugs into the wall. The receiver then injects X10 signals into the house wiring so that other modules can be controlled.
You should be able to Ebay a whole kit in the $25 range.
Have had an X10 switch on my router/modem/accesspoint since they were hooked up... at each computer is a mini controller that allows me to cycle the power to the router (ground floor) from my computer desk (third floor)
I also run a "telephone responder" although it has never been needed for this.
Did you write a custom program for the X10 or did you use what they provide? I decided on the X10. I went a little overboard and bought ten replacement wall switches and five appliance modules. It was cheap. I was told there are programming examples available. As well as controlling the router and modem I plan on turning lights on and off when I'm not home. I guess I bought the rest just to play with.
There are a number of computer drivable x10 controllers, and while I am still using the long discontinued CP290, note that I'm not currently cycling the modem/router programically, simply issuing manual commands when a cycle is necessary, either by controller or by a telephone responder.
For a simple time cycle, there are also x10 timers that will do the same.
I did something similar to this (used an X10 module to control rebooting a computer) and then got bit when the X10 module would turn off because it interpreted some line noise as a signal. I eventually replaced it with a device from black box that is designed for this. New they are pretty expensive but I've seen hundreds at liquidators etc. I got one for $1.50.
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