Pow·er·Log·ic·Pro noun \ˈpau̇(-ə)r\ \ˈlä-jik\ \ˈprō\
1 : Device to automate rebooting network connection equipment to maximize internet connection up time.
2: Community project to code and build PowerLogic Pro devices based on Raspberry Pi and open source software
Examples
· I’m so glad I have a PowerLogic Pro on my home network so I stop getting calls from my wife every time the internet goes out.
Learn more about our Mission Statement and how to become a contributor.
The Powerlogic daemon will run on the Raspberry Pi checking the status of the network and triggering the relays when needed. This post will define what the daemon does, where it stores its information, and how it tests the network.
The daemon will constantly run on the Raspberry Pi. It will need to be able to;
Configure IP information for the Raspberry Pi.
Read GPIO input for “Reset” button press.
Write GPIO pins to control relays
Display HTML control panel for configuration
Log events to a log file
test network status using various tests
interact with heartbeat API
Sync time to NTP server
Add users to system (For ssh tunneling)
Change passwords on system
Generate random and secure root password
The Network tests are;
1. Network Link Status (Link light is on)
2. Ping Default Gateway
3. Resolve DNS
4. Interact with Heartbeat API
This weekend I finished laying out the prototype board for the PowerLogic Pro.
I settled on “Slice of Relay” to be the relay daughter board. It is trivial to mount and connect so it is a fantastic choice for this application.
If you are making your own PowerLogic Pro, PLEASE be careful. 110 Volts across the heart can lead to death. Please use caution and make absolutely sure nothing is connected to live power when wiring this up.
If you fill the role of the family tech guy, you have probably told your mother to crawl around under the desk to unplug the modem (the thing with all the blinking lights on it) and plug it back in again. Remotely supporting an evermore connected family becomes more and more challenging every day.
Why don’t we have a device that will reset the modem for the user so he/she doesn’t have to crawl around looking for the correct plug? This is where PowerLogicPro was born. A simple device to assist in remote support and to automate some of the simple troubleshooting tasks.
Powered by an inexpensive Raspberry Pi, the PowerLogic Pro runs linux and can provide many support tools. The first focus will be on using the GPIO pins to reset power to Modems and Routers following logical rules and internet connectivity tests. The second focus is to allow for a endpoint to accept SSH connections allowing whoever fills the support role to tunnel traffic to assist in support. Such as the http config pages of the router, or VNC/RDP into a local computer.
Prototype 1 features some 3v relays I had lying around from another project. I had 4 but the guy who soldered them together for me lost a transistor from 2 of them, so I’m using 2 relays for this build.
