Some people say that walking to the router to reboot it isn't that big of a deal, but what if you aren't at home or the router is located in the attic or basement? Others will say, "just update the firmware" but what if you have an old router with obsolete firmware updates? Sure, you can get a newer router but what if I like my old router? Below are 9 clever ways to reboot a router and do it automatically:#1 Telnet or SSH access
One of the geekiest way to automatically reboot your router is by setting up a script to run whenever you want to reboot your router anytime. Your router has to have Telnet or SSH access, in order to create a script to log into the router to set up an automatic script to disable and enable the WAN connection. You will also have to set up an Ipconfig command to renew the DHCP IP address.#2 Remote Electrical Switch
A remote electrical switch is essentially a plug socket with a remote control handset that allows you to power any device plugged into it. The remote electrical switch uses Radio Frequency so the remote does not need to be pointed at the socket and can work through walls.
#3 Web Browser Automation Tool
Selenium is a web browser automation tool that works similarly to using Telnet or SSH access. With Selenium you create two separate scripts using your router's web admin interface to enable and disable the WiFi. Then, using Windows scheduler you create a schedule to call on those scripts at the times you want.
#4 Smartphone Controlled Plug Socket
This solution is much like the outlet timer and remote switch, all rolled into one solution. The smartphone controlled plug socket allows you to remotely turn on/off and set a timer. With your router plugged into this device you'll be able to set a time when you want your router turned off and turned on. One great thing of using a Wi-Fi smart socket is that they work as wireless repeaters, thus increasing your Wi-Fi signal coverage.
#5 ResetPlug
If an outlet timer isn't good enough, ResetPlug maybe the solution for you. ResetPlug is essentially a smart outlet timer with automatic router resetting and Wi-Fi monitoring. You plug into the wall, just like you would an outlet timer, and then plug your router's power adapter onto it. That simple!
#6 WiReboot
Wireboot functions similarly to ResetPlug in that it consistently monitors your WiFi connection, but instead of a plug, you get a USB dongle-like device that connects between your router and router's power supply. WiReboot will power cycle the router if there is a problem, and also comes with smart add-ons such as the 433 transmitter that allows you to remotely power on/off devices.
#7 Wireless Door Bell
By far, my favorite way to automatically reboot a router is the one from Hackaday. This solution is ingenious as it uses a wireless doorbell connected to a 555 Timer Relay circuit to act as the transmitter and receiver. When the circuit receives a signal from the door bell, it activates the relay and so cutting power and effectively resetting the router.
#8 DD-WRT Router
If you have an open source compatible/DD-WRT router, you can flash DD-WRT (Linux-based firmware) and turn on the auto reboot in the admin settings. Once you get rid of the stock firmware on a router and install DD-WRT, you'll find that you won't even have to do as many (if any) router reboots.
#9 Manual Reboot
Oh yes, the obvious way to reboot a router though not the most convenient, and that is to turn off the router manually. Of course, if you don't mind being an "auto-bot"... but who really wants to manually unplug the router every night before going to bed and plug it back in the morning?
What is your favorite way to automatically reboot your router?
1 comments
awesome! i live in a 3-plex where im in the end unit and the router is in the middle unit...and no one ever resets it so it gets so jammed up it barely emitts a signal! imma get one of those outlet timers so it resets itself !!!
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