[ale] computer controlled power switches

[Thompson Freeman]

On 12/28/2006 01:50:50 PM, Sean Kilpatrick wrote:
> Alers,
> I am forwarding a question from my son as his question is
> w-a-a-a-y
> beyond my knowledge base:
> 
> | the DSL modem locked again while I was on vacation.  Can
> you ask the Ale
> | list for suggestions for computer controlled power
> switches so I can
> | reboot the stupid thing via a shell script?
> 
> He is a senior programmer at AOL and uses Linux at home
> and work.
> 
> Sean
<<snip>>

Well, its outside my knowledge base also, but if memory  
serves I can recall at least two approaches.

First, there should be something useful in the X10 lineup,  
the home control over the powerlines thing. I recall a  
discussion or three several years ago on this list and the  
guilty parties may still be around. Should be the best  
debugged approach, although it would have some upfront cost  
obviously.

Otherwise, for the true homebrew people, there was/is a  
circuit with instructions for creating a parallel port  
device to control relays. Obviously Google would be your  
friend there.

Wish I were of more help - I'd like to reconsider the  
ability to bounce the dsl device under control myself.