Implementing WoL

Rob Fissel

Now that we're using our radios throughout our LAN's (and in some cases, WAN's via VPN), is there any chance of implementing Wake-on-LAN? 

I'm thinking that I could leave the power supply on, but shut the radio off, and then turn it on using WoL. I know that you can use a remote controlled relay to do this already, but this may provide an easier, more elegant software based solution. I'd be great to not have to leave the radio on all the time, and only power it up when I plan to remote in. 

Thanks for entertaining the idea, no matter how silly it may be!

Jim Gilliam

My guess is if is was doable, it would have long since been accomplished. I think it is a hardware issue to power the radio on and off, and it needs a direct connection and is not implementable through software. If it were (was?) I think it would have been one of the features incorporated at the onset of remote power-on.

Jim, K6QE

Jay -- N0FB

You might want to look at the thread I started 5 months ago.   https://community.flexradio.com/flexradio/topics/shut-down-via-ip

Jim Gilliam

I read it and I hope I am wrong. Also, there are various degrees of turning off the radio. How much of the radio should be left in the "on" state to satisfy the WOL? On requirement would certainly be to make sure the fan is turned off to avoid wear and tear on it. It will be interesting to follow the evolution and how all of our personal conjecturers bear out.

Jim

Jay -- N0FB

WOL is really dependent on the hardware and how it is energized.  If it loses power when the power switch is turned off, WOL will not work.  It would have to have been thought out when the hardware was designed and the correct components (WOL Enabled Ethernet card) wired to the power source in the appropriate power chain.
A WOL Ethernet port needs to be energized at all times, even when the rest of the unit is turned off.

This is not just a software solution.  I have never heard if the hardware is designed to take advantage of WOL.

Jim Gilliam

WoL is a wonderful feature. I have been using it on my Dell computer for a couple of years as it is almost a necessity when using a host computer with a remoted radio. It would be a very desireable feature on the 6000 series as no host computer will be needed. However, with all the other "toys" available to over come this obstacle, I find it a non-issue at this point. It has forced me to learn about other I/P units available for remote use. As it stands now, I use a remoted relay to turn on/off the radio, and, then, another remote device to completely remove power from the 6000.

Jim

KY6LA_Howard

I do exactly the same as Jim... i use a WEMO relay to turn on my 6700 and a second WEMO to control power to the Computer... Gives me the ability to reboot everything remotely which turned out to be absolutely necessary when operating remote...

If they implement WOL, then I would also need a WOL enable CPU

Jim Gilliam

Howard,

My power control unit also has a telephone interface. I would like to see Flex put in a Time-out-timer for the transmit mode. There is always the possibility of an internet failure and it would be good for the transmitter to auto-time out after, say, 10 minutes of continuous transmission. This would put the remoted radio in accordance with FCC regulations regarding remote operation.

Jim

Tim - W4TME

"I would like to see Flex put in a Time-out-timer for the transmit mode."

There has been this capability for several SmartSDR releases.  It is in the Settings->Radio Setup->Transmit tab.

Rob Fissel

Sorry I missed this, Jay. I figured it was a longshot due to it's reliance on hardware, but figured it may be worth asking!

Jim Gilliam

Found it, thank you, Tim. Tried it and it works great.

Robert -- N5IKD

My guess is that the required connections in the Ethernet card to the power circuits in the radio do not exist. I would have preferred to use WOL, but without that there are a number of options using other Ethernet connected controllers to switch the remote input.

Jim Gilliam

Actually WOL shouldn't even be in issue in a LAN environment. It is wake on WAN that should be the concern. And, of course, these issues have been discussed with third party hardware.

Jim

Robert -- N5IKD

I already do WOL over WAN via an Arduino controller with an Ethernet shield. I can easily toggle an IO pin from the same menu in the Arduino.

Ken - NM9P

So a separate, internet controllable relay would be the way to go?

Robert -- N5IKD

Yes.

Jim Gilliam

http://www.target.com/p/belkin-wemo-switch-white-f7c027fcapl/-/A-14237531?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&A...

Many of the Flexers are using these