It does not happen very often but my router (apple airport extreme) flakes out from time to time (like a lot of others out there. I guess).
It is frustrating because usually it happens when I’m not reachable or when I need outside access via VPN. For whatever reason, when it fails, I can still get through to my mac mini but there is very diminished functionality on the network. I was using applescript to restart it every other week, but if it wigs out in between, the router cannot be reset, it needs a power cycle.
I was tidying up some cables (having been inspired by S-F) and came across an ELK 912 relay. It hit me that I could power cycle the router using the alarm’s output. So, for about $9.00 I can now reset my router using vera (pleg) once a week or whenever the Ping Sensor says I cannot reach outside the lan for some extended period.
I even set it up to power cycle by pressing the D button on the alarm panel. My wife can now restart the router, which is nice if I’m unavailable.
I used these instructions from youtube, which are terrific:
That sounds really slick and all, but, why not just replace the router with one that isn’t so high maintenance? Is there something special for the Apple ecosystem yours has? I think the router I’m using cost me about $25 or less. Tossed DD-WRT on it and it’s been absolutely rock solid for about three years now. Hell, I’ve got two extra. I’ll send one to you if you’d like. DD-WRT flashed and all.
Also, how are you using the ping sensor to determine connectivity? Do you have it ping www.google.com or something?
The router only recently started giving me problems, which when I looked into it it has something to do with the guest network feature somehow interfering with the normal wireless operation. I’m guessing it has been 6 months of this I’m still hoping that a firmware upgrade will solve this bug. Meanwhile, I’ve been power cycling it to keep it healthy. I have the same router at our vacation home and I haven’t reset it in over a year.
Come to think about it, I should probably just shut off the guest network…
There is nothing special about the router except that it plays well with the other apple stuff I have.
I have it ping my office, and I reset if it has not seen the router in more than an hour.
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