Out of band modem control using mobile?

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ajbw

115 posts

Master Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#311148 18-Dec-2023 11:38

Any ideas on the following?

We have an internet connection (Voyager) where the VDSL modem occasionally needs a reset.
This invariably happens when we're away and want to access the home network (using Tailscale).

I had thought of connecting up an old mobile phone and using an output from it to reset the modem.

So it needs a data connection (though not much).

The lowest- cost plan I have any experience of is the 2 Degrees $10/month bundle on prepay.

Can anyone come up with a better alternative?

wellygary

8312 posts

Uber Geek

#3172965 18-Dec-2023 11:53

Put it on a timer that resets the power plug at midnight every day,

Plug it in when you leave on holiday , unplug it when you get back home

ajbw

115 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#3172973 18-Dec-2023 12:07

I used to do that - or more accurately, I had a raspberry pi doing pings, and switching the modem 12V line for a while if the ping failed.
I just wondered if there was another way...

KiwiSurfer

1449 posts

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#3172974 18-Dec-2023 12:12

That would play havoc with the VDSL connection I suspect. I understand VDSL connections are best left on.

It may be worth investigating what the issue is that is resulting in the fault and fixing that -- or a replacement VDSL modem.

RunningMan

8953 posts

Uber Geek

#3172994 18-Dec-2023 12:56

wellygary:

Put it on a timer that resets the power plug at midnight every day,

No, no, no, no. Don't do this on an xDSL connection as it makes it seem like a line fault and it will keep slowing the connection to try and stablise it.

What actually needs the reset - i.e. what is locking up? Can it have a firmware update or similar to fix the issue?

What modem/router are you using? Can you have a script running on something local that can reset the connection when it fails to ping some outside IP address?

wellygary

8312 posts

Uber Geek

#3173001 18-Dec-2023 13:33

RunningMan:

wellygary:

Put it on a timer that resets the power plug at midnight every day,

No, no, no, no. Don't do this on an xDSL connection as it makes it seem like a line fault and it will keep slowing the connection to try and stablise it.

Opps, my Bad

ajbw

115 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#3173002 18-Dec-2023 13:38

This problem happens very rarely - once every few months. My experience of diagnosing this kind of thing is that it's almost impossible, and certainly outside the capabilities or interest of an ISP.

As I mentioned above, I did once have an 'auto reset'. I hope I don't need to revive it.

However, my original question still stands - how do you do out-of-band control of a device (such as a router) economically using the mobile network?

This actually has more general usefulness - for example, one could reset any device that had crashed because of (say) a power glitch.
Home automation systems and MQTT brokers come to mind.

KiwiSurfer

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#3173010 18-Dec-2023 13:52

I guess the question I have is the cost of a new modem less or greater than all the effort and cost involved with your proposal. Especially considering the cost will be $120/a year for the mobile connection alone. If you're keen to build something fancy pants just becasue then yeah might be a nice little project. Otherwise the most simplest and cheapest solution would be getting a new modem that can stay on 24/7/365 -- or even just getting a second hand off a friend/trade me/etc that is known to be working well.

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RunningMan

8953 posts

Uber Geek

#3173011 18-Dec-2023 13:53

If you've got a MikroTik router you can have a LTE USB modem plugged to failover the connection or just have a seperate route to the WAN to enable control. However you do it though, you're paying for a second connection of some sort, which may or may not be an issue.

If there's a way of automating that checking and reset (or other action) from inside the network that might be an easier and more set/forget type option.

Goosey

2829 posts

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Subscriber

#3174056 21-Dec-2023 13:53

Are you sure the vdsl is dropping out or just the wifi ?

have you proved that VDSL has dropped?
maybe the next time this occurs, before you reboot the router, try plugging in and logging into the router to see what’s happening / see if VDSL is still up, check some logs etc.

shanes

258 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#3174066 21-Dec-2023 14:34

ajbw: Any ideas on the following?

We have an internet connection (Voyager) where the VDSL modem occasionally needs a reset.
This invariably happens when we're away and want to access the home network (using Tailscale).

I had thought of connecting up an old mobile phone and using an output from it to reset the modem.

So it needs a data connection (though not much).

The lowest- cost plan I have any experience of is the 2 Degrees $10/month bundle on prepay.

Can anyone come up with a better alternative?

If you do find a device that suits your needs, have a look into IoT SIMs

e.g. Hologram have an essentials plan $0.70 (USD) per 30 days with free inbound SMS.

ajbw

115 posts

Master Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#3174141 21-Dec-2023 18:34

Goosey:
Are you sure the vdsl is dropping out or just the wifi ?

have you proved that VDSL has dropped?
maybe the next time this occurs, before you reboot the router, try plugging in and logging into the router to see what’s happening / see if VDSL is still up, check some logs etc.

Yes, I do know it's the VDSL that dropped. I could still connect to the internal network.

And thank you for the suggestion about Hologram. Looks interesting, although it's not clear from their website and T&C's if they want to deal with individuals, or what their pricing plans are. Anyone got any experience of them ? Or of cellular modems, come to that?

shanes

258 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#3175150 24-Dec-2023 10:17

ajbw:

And thank you for the suggestion about Hologram. Looks interesting, although it's not clear from their website and T&C's if they want to deal with individuals, or what their pricing plans are. Anyone got any experience of them ? Or of cellular modems, come to that?

I've had one for around 4 years, no issues. It is one of their Pilot SIMs and there is no monthly cost, just data/SMS.

So if you are using the no charge inbound SMS then it would be a zero cost solution.

mentalinc

3225 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#3175160 24-Dec-2023 11:04

Get the ISP to send you a non faulty modem.

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