Resolved Software Implementation of Cable Modem Standby

I have a cable modem (Motorola SB 5101U) that has no standby button. This means I have to turn the power off to prevent internet connectivity and wait for more than a minute after turning the power back on for it to come back online.

But it occurs to me that it should be possible to disable the connection with software. Can anyone help me get started researching this?

Do I need to connect through a proxy? Is there a "disable port" function in the windows API? Does the modem even use a port?

I would appreciate any suggestions.

Thanks,

Robert Leeper

 

Unplug the cable connection to the modem.

 

If just want to disconnect the computer you’re on.

Go to control panel – network connections – right click Local Area Connection and disable it.
Or use Wireless Connection if connected that way.

For faster access drag the Connection icon out to the desktop.

 

Thanks, MrBill

Thank you, ephemarial! (The email said: MrBill has just replied to a thread...Sorry, I didn't think to look below) This may be just the ticket.

I still need to find out how to how to do 2 shortcuts, one to disable and the other to enable, but you have put me on the right track (I think).

 

This might work if I had a switch - I couldn't disconnect the cable fast enough.

I want to achieve something like a functional equivalent of the standby button.

 

Try this:

1. At a cmd prompt, type:
   
   
   netsh interface show interface​
   
   and press [Enter]. The response you get get back might look something like this (from my Desktop computer):
   
   
   Code:

   Admin State    State          Type             Interface Name
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Enabled        Connected      Dedicated        [color=red]Local Area Connection[/color]

   
   And on my laptop it looks like this:
   Code:

   Admin State    State          Type             Interface Name
   -------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Enabled        Connected      Dedicated        [color=red]Wireless Network Connection 2[/color]

   
   The part you're intestered in is the Name of the connection, which I've highlighted above in red.
   
   
2. Create a new shortcut on your Desktop using that Name in your shortcut command, (I'll use the name from the laptop for this example):
   
   
   netsh interface set interface "Wireless Network Connection 2" Disable​
   
   and then name the shortcut something like "Disable Network ".
   
   
3. Now create a second new shortcut using that same Name again in the command again:
   
   
   netsh interface set interface "Wireless Network Connection 2" Enable​
   
   and name it something like "Enable Network ".

That's it. Now you can simply click either icon to Disable or Enable your connection.

 

Hi ralatwbbs

Already explained how to do it.
Simply drag the icon of the connected network (either Local Area Connection or Wireless) out to the desktop.

That’ll create a shortcut.
Whenever you right click on the shortcut 1st choice on the rt click menu will be DISABLE (if network is enabled). If network is already disabled - it’ll say ENABLE.

1 icon as an on/off switch that’ll also give the network status (2nd choice on rt click menu).

ps - just noticed - SpywareDr's method will also work.

 

Thanks, SpywareDr - but...

I'm not sure I understand. When I created the shortcut the target turned out to be:


%windir%\system32\netsh.exe interface set interface "Local Area Connection" Disable


I hopefully tried it, but it doesn't work; my local area connection remains enabled. The command window disappears too fast for me to read it.


Do you have any idea what I am doing wrong?


Thanks,

PS a few minutes later. When I type

netsh interface show interface

I get

Admin State State Type Interface Name
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enabled Dedicated Local Area Connection
Enabled Dedicated 1394 Connection
Enabled Internal Internal
Enabled Loopback Loopback

It never shows the State as Connected.

PPS The BBS software collapsed the spaces. I'll try tabs:


Admin State State Type Interface Name
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enabled Dedicated Local Area Connection
Enabled Dedicated 1394 Connection
Enabled Internal Internal
Enabled Loopback Loopback

OK, dots:

Admin State.....State...Type............Interface Name
-------------------------------------------------------------
Enabled.................Dedicated.......Local Area Connection
Enabled.................Dedicated.......1394 Connection

 

I want something I can invoke with 2 keystrokes. No mouse. (Shortcut on start menu)

 

(1) Which version of Windows is the computer running?

(2) To keep the board software from collapsing the spaces in what you are pasting in, enclose it between the

Code:

tags.

For example, this:

Code:

Admin State    State          Type             Interface Name
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enabled        Connected      Dedicated        Local Area Connection
Enabled        Connected      Dedicated        Wireless Network Connection 4
Enabled        Connected      Dedicated        Parallels Shared Networking Adapter
Enabled        Connected      Dedicated        Parallels Host Only Networking Adapter

would then look like this:

Code:

Admin State    State          Type             Interface Name
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Enabled        Connected      Dedicated        Local Area Connection
Enabled        Connected      Dedicated        Wireless Network Connection 4
Enabled        Connected      Dedicated        Parallels Shared Networking Adapter
Enabled        Connected      Dedicated        Parallels Host Only Networking Adapter

 

XP Home, SP3. (I guess I'll break down and get Windows 8 soon, but I have XP tweaked to a fine point and am reluctant to start over. I will not give up my start menu shortcuts.)

Thanks. I'm sorry to have wasted your time and the forum's space over something I should have remembered.

 

Ah, no wonder. I'm afraid I don't have a standalone XP setup available that I would be willing to connect to the 'net to do any testing though.

No no, no biggie.

 

Why do you want to prevent Internet connectivity? What is your goal here and does it involve a single computer or more than one? Are you trying to block outgoing or incoming access?

I don't think it wise, or necessary to keep plugging in and unplugging the modem. For one, that will affect ALL users and devices on your network. If kept unplugged, you may lose your IP assignment from your ISP. No big deal but it can cause delays when logging on again.

Are you using a router? If not, you should even with just one computer on your network as a router offers a very significant layer of security - reason enough to use a router. But many routers have an on/off, or network disable button. If not, all routers have an admin menu where you can enable or disable Internet access for any connected device.

If me, I would simply call up the firewall program on my computer and disable all incoming access. Some aftermarket firewalls put an icon in your system tray that allows quick right-click menu option to instantly block all incoming and/or outgoing data. You can create a shortcut to your firewall and assign a keyboard shortcut to it.

 

Privacy and security; 1 computer on home network; in and out

Yes.

I hadn't thought of this. Thanks for the suggestion.

[quoteIf me, I would simply call up the firewall program on my computer and disable all incoming access. Some aftermarket firewalls put an icon in your system tray that allows quick right-click menu option to instantly block all incoming and/or outgoing data. You can create a shortcut to your firewall and assign a keyboard shortcut to it.[/QUOTE]
Another idea to investigate. Thanks again! (But I have Norton, and it is a bear to work with)

 

No matter. With all the ideas you SpywareDr and ephemarial and now Bill have given me, if I can't figure it out from here, either it's not doable or I don't deserve to do it.

Thanks to all.

 

Then get rid of it! There are many alternatives that are just as capable, cheaper - or totally free, MUCH less bloated and resource hogging - and easier to work with.

It is great that you are "security aware" but I think you are being overly paranoid - even with using XP. At least for now while the anti-malware program providers are still able to protect XP.

Your computer's IP address is already being hidden behind NAT from your router. The only reason you should be concerned about unauthorized outgoing access is (1) you don't have full "physical" control over your computer (other users in your home have access to it), or (2) you lack the necessary security to block malicious code coming in, or (3) you, the user and ALWAYS weakest link in security allowed the malicious code in by failing to keep your computer and security updated, participating in risky behavior like illegal filesharing via torrent or P2P sites, by visiting illegal pornography or gambling sites, or by being "click-happy" on unsolicited downloads, attachments and links.

In other words, if you prevent malicious code from coming in in the first place, there is no reason to worry about malicious code "calling home" or using your system to send spam, malware or participate in a badguy's bot army conducting DDoS attacks.

If other users have access to your computer, use a strong password on your user account(s).

You can also enable MAC Filtering in your router, then manually enter the MAC address for your computer's NIC into your router's tables. The router will then only allow that MAC address access. It is not foolproof, but still an excellent layer of protection.

Note Norton and the others all have said their protection depends on XP vulnerabilities being patched by Microsoft. Since MS is no longer patching XP, the day will come when Norton and the others drop support for XP. Please do not wait for that day before upgrading to a secure OS - for your sake and mine, and the rest of the Internet users.

 

Norton is free with my Comcast service, it is highly rated by Maximumpc and I don't have time to search for another that will let me turn on/off the firewall with keyboard shortcuts.

Maybe, but when I detect (using a program called RxTX) or suspect unwanted internet activity I want to be able to stop it immediately.

Anyway this whole issue is moot for the time being since my Surfboard 5101 is working again, so I have a standby button.

I appreciate your useful comments, however.

Thanks

 

I am not disputing Norton's ability to keep you safe and secure. That is not the problem. But if it is a pain to work with, and especially if it impacts performance due to resource hogging bloat, then there are many fully capable free alternatives.

Regardless your primary anti-malware solution, you should have a second scanner to verify your primary, or you, did not let something slip by. For that, I recommend periodic supplemental scanning with Malwarebytes's Anti-Malware (MBAM).

If both Norton and MBAM report your system is clean, if your wireless network is secured with a strong passphrase and security is using at least WPA encryption, then I would not worry about your network activity.

And how do you know, or what makes you "suspect" it is "unwanted "? Can you read the data packets to see what data it includes?

It is important to understand when you are idle, Windows and many programs on your system are not. When you go idle, Windows looks for updates, does some indexing, scans for malware and more. Plus network connections maintain connections with periodic pings to keep connections (and IP assignments) alive.

One last suggestion. In your router's admin menu you can view the "Connected devices ". Check this and with just one computer, you should have just one connected device. But note a networked printer or NAS (networked attached storage), many BluRay players and TVs are now "Internet ready" with their own wifi and/or Ethernet connections. If you cannot account for every connected device, then you may have a hacker using your network. This could just be a neighbor sharing your Internet, or a badguy using your network for nefarious deeds (send spam, etc.) and you need to immediately change your passphrase as via wireless is most likely how they would gain access. To gain access to your Ethernet side would require them to physically connect a Ethernet cable between their computer and your network. Unless you have a squatter hiding in your basement, that is not likely.

 

Sounds like great advice. How often would you suggest running it? I am thinking once a week.

Thanks!

 

Depends on if it finds anything significant. And how often you use your computer, and for what.

If your first full scan is clean, then once a week is probably fine, if you otherwise keep your computer updated, and you avoid risky behavior.

If MBAM finds all sorts of genuine malicious code, or if you (or other users of your computer) participate in risky behavior and won't stop, then more often. Or purchase MBAM Premium for real time protection.