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7. Ping and Scan method
ePowerSwitch 8G has two methods to check whether an IP equipment (PC, server, router,
Webcam...) is still alive.
Address Pinging
The first method uses the well-known Ping command whereby a request is sent to a specific IP
address. The Ping command, which is an echo request, enables you to determine through an
ICMP protocol (Internet Control Message Protocol) if an IP device is available on the network. If
the system reacts to this request, ePowerSwitch 8G knows that the TCP/IP connection is
established. If the system does not react to one or several requests, ePowerSwitch 8G can
automatically switch off and after a specified delay switch again on the IP equipment (Reboot).
Port Scanning
The second method uses the Port Scan command to test a specific TCP/IP port. In other words,
this command allows you to find out if a specific protocol is available on a server (for example
HTTP, FTP, Telnet, SMTP, POP...). ePowerSwitch 8G simply tries a connection to a specific
server port. If the connection is possible, ePowerSwitch 8G knows that a server program is
running there. If the connection is not possible, ePowerSwitch 8G can automatically switch off
and after a specified delay switch again on the IP equipment (Reboot).
Remarks:
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The Ping and Scan function can be used separately or together.
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The network route between ePowerSwitch 8G and the IP device to supervise should be as
direct as possible, so do not use unnecessary routers and complex wiring between them. A
problem on a router or the wiring could reboot the IP device to supervise.
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Execute several Pings and/or Scans before running the Reboot function. It could be possible
that the IP device to supervise doesn't respond although the IP device is still working.
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Choose a realistic supervision cycle. One second is possible, however it’s not necessary to
overload the network with Ping and Scan requests.
Recommended values:
Interval between Requests: 10 sec or more
Number of unsuccessful Requests before Reboot: 3 or more
Delay before Reboot: 10 sec or more
Delay before first Request after Reboot: 120 sec or more
ePowerSwitch-8G User's Guide