Turning off a Router When Not Used 4

[xyzuser]

I have a Linksys wired router to which I hook up two or three PCs and, of course, my cable modem. Someone recommended that I unplug the router when I am not using the PCs for long periods, such as overnight, when I'm at work or if I go away for a day or two. This is to help the router last long and not 'burn out' prematurely.

Novice question:
Is this a good idea - meaning do I have to reset anything when I power up the Linksys each time? Or does it just pick up with its IP addresses and continues to merrily function as if it had not been powered down?

Thank you

 

[BadBigBen]

Some people, me included, believe that the cycle of heating up and cooling down is actually worse than having a constant temperature... This is just my opinion and I could be wrong with my assumption here... This is due to chips and other electric components are made up of different materials, which expand and contract to a different degree...

so in my opinion, it would be better to have a good cooling system to take the heat build up away, then to turn it off and on...

and I believe that the only times to turn off routers and switches, is when they hick-up or in a SOHO environment, when you leave for days on end (holidays)...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.

 

[kmcferrin]

Does your router have a power switch? Mine don't. That's because you don't need to turn off the power. As long as you don't have a cheap, crappy router AND you are on an surge protector or UPS, you should be fine.

The only time I've ever powered mine down were during firmware updates, troubleshooting, or physically relocating them to another room.

You don't shut off all of your circuit breakers when you go out of town for 2 days, do you?

________________________________________
CompTIA A+, Network+, Server+, Security+
MCTS:Hyper-V
MCTS:System Center Virtual Machine Manager
MCSE:Security 2003
MCITP:Enterprise Administrator

 

[vacunita]

I don't think there any real benefit to turning it off overnight it would be almost like unplugging your TV frm the wall when you go to sleep, or disconnecting your toaster in the kitchen, however if you are going to leave for a trip over more than a couple of nights its good sense to disconnect it. If only to reduce power consumption when you are not home.

Ohh, and no routers don't loose configuration settings because you unplugged them (that's why they have reset buttons), so once you plug it back in it will keep on working as it was.









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Phil AKA Vacunita
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Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[CiscoGuy33]

xyzuser,

I have used a Linksys router for years, now it is my backup to a Cisco 2651XM router. I have an extensive lab at home with several routers, switches and a LINUX firewall PC (IP Cop). I work a 4 day work week so I seldom use my home office Monday through Thursday. I tend to turn it on Thursday night and leave it on all weekend. I have done this for years with no issues. But I agree, I do not turn off everything unless I will be gone for more than 16-24 hours.

I have everything plugged into 2 of those under-monitor power controllers with the lighted switches on them, everything is labled and I can turn on or off my Linksys router from the controller as I can any of the equipment.

Since switches and hubs also do not have on/off switches, this makes it easy to turn them on/off (I use Cisco 2950 switches and Cisco Fast 400 hubs). This has worked great for me and it allows me to easily turn things on/off as needed since I have my home network in several subnets. I can turn off sections I know I will not be using. Electricity in Florida is not cheap

I think the key to getting long life out of the Linksys is to make sure it is well ventalated area - good air flow, good power protection, EVERYTHING is plugged into 2 APC UPS's and don't expect more from it than what it was designed for

Hope this helps!!

E.A. Broda
CCNA, CCDA, CCAI, Network +

 

[xyzuser]

Thank you very much BadBigBen, kmcferrin, vacunita and CiscoGuy33 for both taking the time to respond and for your most helpful opinions and advice. Stars to each of you!

 

[cigol01]

I have never bothered switching off modems and have never experienced a failure.. with regard to the theory about cooling and heating up again and the contarction and expansion of components and solder.. well i have done so every dau for 6 years with a pc and it still works so im not sure i beleive in that unless the pc doesnt have good ventilation

Falkirk PC Repair Company