Do you guys switch off your wireless router if out during the day?

cajef

Brian8888 wrote: »

Switching it off actually makes a lot of sense for security purposes. That way it's much more difficult for someone to attack it.

If the router wireless and the computers are turned off what can be attacked?

DragonQ

Going into the router's configuration page every morning to turn off the WiFi if I'm going out would be a pain in the !!!! for next to no benefit.

I wouldn't turn the entire router off because I often want access to my home network when I'm out, for watching TV or playing music at work, or scheduling a TV recording, for example.

cajef

DragonQ wrote: »

Going into the router's configuration page every morning to turn off the WiFi if I'm going out would be a pain in the !!!! for next to no benefit.

Depends on the router my Netgear has a simple button on the front to turn the wireless on/off, I think most later ones do though of course there are many older ones which as you say you would have to go into the configuration.

SuiDreams

Since I've been on my own mines been off at night and when out, I've noticed a difference in usage already. Only have a Virgin HD box (not recordable) and that is switched off at the wall when not in use as is the TV.

lstar337

closed wrote: »

yes, 7 watts is 7 watts, which works out to about a fiver pa in electricity wasted assuming out for 8 hours, and asleep for 8 hours.

It also may help to improve the odd sluggish sync speed.

Actually, due to the way the DSLAM operates, turning on and off will usually have a negative effect on your sync rate. When the DSLAM senses a router turning on and off, it can misinterpret it as a degraded copper line and will reduce the sync rate to attain a more stable connection. This results in a slower connection.

Goldiegirl wrote: »

A) because the guy that set it up says it's best to keep it on all the time.

He was right. As well as keeping your connection speed up, it also prolongs the life of the router by not subjecting it to heating and cooling cycles.

StuC75

If its a combined modem router, then regularly turning on & off will mess up the synch speed that you get for the internet - as it may look to re-train the line?

what are the chances that turning on & off could affect the Power Supply unit over time? much in the same way that light bulbs tend to blow when turned on & off - never noticed one go whilst in continuous use (always within seconds of turning on)..

SuiDreams

lstar337 wrote: »

Actually, due to the way the DSLAM operates, turning on and off will usually have a negative effect on your sync rate. When the DSLAM senses a router turning on and off, it can misinterpret it as a degraded copper line and will reduce the sync rate to attain a more stable connection. This results in a slower connection.

.

Sorry not very Techy does this apply to all Broadband or just Broadband via the phone line. I use cable broadband and haven't noticed any change/slowing of my connection.

closed

if that was the case, I'd be getting dial up speeds, and would have gone through many routers.

there was a time before everyone had routers, when people disconnected and connected all the time without a speed degradation.

The speed negotiated depends on line conditions at the time, rebooting the router can improve the speed.

rsachoc

SuiDreams wrote: »

Sorry not very Techy does this apply to all Broadband or just Broadband via the phone line. I use cable broadband and haven't noticed any change/slowing of my connection.

I've never had cable so I can't comment, but for any broadband over copper (telephone lines), leaving the modem/router on is recommended for the reason mentioned above (thinks you have a dodgy line and reduces speed).

SuiDreams

rsachoc wrote: »

I've never had cable so I can't comment, but for any broadband over copper (telephone lines), leaving the modem/router on is recommended for the reason mentioned above (thinks you have a dodgy line and reduces speed).

In that case I will continue to switch off when not in use, as I'm not experiencing any issues and I'd rather save the money. Better in my pocket than the energy companies.