Posted: June 17 2004 at 16:45 | IP Logged

Here's what I'm hoping to do:  create a script that will ping an IP address -- if that ping fails, cycle power on my DSL router.  I'd like this script to run every hour, without having to have a large, memory intensive GUI open at all times.  Will the PowerHome package allow me to do this?

(I have a PowerLinc controller on order, and have not even downloaded or installed PowerHome... please forgive my lack of experience on this subject!)

Thanks!

Posted: June 17 2004 at 19:16 | IP Logged

If you are already using PH to control things, and you have an X-10 module between the wall and the router's power supply, then, yes! I run a macro that does this.

If you would just be using PH for this, it would be more than overkill.

Let us know, and, we'll point you in the right direction!

Posted: June 17 2004 at 21:38 | IP Logged

I knew I should've waited to eat dinner .

Tony's got you covered.  While PowerHome cant specifically "ping", it does include functions to retrieve a URL.  If the URL retrieval comes back blank or times out, you can assume the router needs rebooting, which PowerHome can do using a Powerlinc.

Another minor point.  PowerHome only currently supports the RS-232 version of the PowerLinc and not the USB version.  I am working on adding this support as we speak, but this controller is being a bear so Im not there yet.

Also, as Tony pointed out...PowerHome would be overkill if this is all you were doing.  PowerHome is a rather large GUI driven application and while I don't like to think of it as "memory intensive", its not lite either.

Hope this helps,

Dave.

Posted: June 17 2004 at 23:18 | IP Logged

Quote: Originally posted by TonyNo on June 17 2004

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If you would just be using PH for this, it would be more than overkill.

Let us know, and, we'll point you in the right direction!

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Thanks for the quick replies, guys.

Yeah, this router power-cycle is all I need right now.  I'd love to find a simple command-line EXE that takes arguments and could be called from a script.  If PH doesn't work with the PowerLinc USB, looks like that won't work for me anyway!

Posted: June 18 2004 at 10:29 | IP Logged

etsolow,

Happened to catch your posts on tivocommunity.com (scary that Im everywhere ).  I think you're going to run into some problems with the PowerLinc USB.  Smarthome does not include the protocol that this controller uses and will only give it out to a select few.  I believe a trial or slimmed down version of their Automation software is included though.  However, it wont have the functionality to ping an IP address. 

Based upon what you want to do, you may want to look at the CM17A or firecracker interface.  This is a simple RF X-10 interface and is capable of simple X-10 control such as turning modules off and on.  If you look around, X10.com will sometimes have specials on the whole firecracker kit where they give it away for free and you just pay shipping and handling (about $7.00).  You would have everything you need to power cycle your router in the one package.  The protocol for communicating is well documented and there are a number of lightweight control packages as well as command-line utilities for this interface.

Hope this helps,

Dave.

Posted: June 18 2004 at 10:36 | IP Logged

Thanks for the info!  (And stop following me! )

I'll look into the x10 firecracker if I can't get the PowerLinc USB to do what I want.

Eli