I can reset my cable modem and router remotely. Notice – remotely – I am not at home.
This won’t work for everyone. But it can work if you have two ISPs.
I need to setup some parameters. Two ISPs. We will call them ISP-A and ISP-B And two WiFi Networks/SSIDs Net-A and Net-B. Notice the naming convention as you read and it will make sense.
Two routers, and might as well have them be two different brands to increase the likelihood they are running on different channels and other stuff.
The two routers must use different names/SSIDs, but passwords could be the same, does not really matter. For this, we will call them Net-A and Net-B.
I need 4 (at least) WiFi plugs. Can be same brand if you wish. Frankly, I want them the same brand, because I want them in the same app. I want to see them when they are offline.
Names we will use here are; Plug-Net-A-M and Plug-Net-A-R The other set Plug-Net-B-M and Plug-Net-B-R.
This is the tricky part. Notice, PLUGS are on the other network/ISP.
I add two WiFi plugs (Plug-Net-A-M and Plug-Net-A-R ) to Net-B for ISP-B.
Plug-Net-A-M (Modem) and Plug-Net-A-R ) Router on ISP-B/Net-B.
I add two WiFi plugs (Plug-Net-B-M and Plug-Net-B-R ) to Net-B for ISP-B
Plug-Net-B-M (Modem) and Plug-Net-B-R ) Router on ISP-A/Net-A.
ISP-A’s modem and router are on Net-B. And ISP-B’s modem and router are on Net-A.
ISP-A is my primary and most of my IoT devices are on it. One day, I notice is needs a restart. BECAUSE, I put ISP-A’s modem and router on Net-B, I open the plug app and turn off both ISP-A’s modem and Net-A’s router. Wait 1 minute, turn the ISP-A’s modem back on; wait 2 minutes and turn ISP-A’s router back on. It does not matter that they are on different WiFi, I don’t care. I am NOT at home, so I am connecting via cellular and WiFi does not matter. WiFi doesn’t matter, but “the other ISP’s modem and router (ISP-B’s) give me a connection to the devices on Net-B, where ISP-A’s modem and Net-A’s router are.
Don’t have two ISPs? Here’s an idea. You could do the second ISP trick on your next-door neighbor’s ISP modem. Needs to be a neighbor relatively close. This is where, I suggest you pickup a pair of Wyze routers.
Two ways to do this. Create the Net-B in this example, including another router/mesh router setup, and ask your neighbor to host your router on his ISP. In exchange, you assist him with doing the same to your ISP. You are each other’s backup. You simply use your Net-B router with your own, (only you know password, and plug your router into his router, so you become a slaved/secondary network under his. (You are only going to use it for emergency restarts of your ISP-A and Net-A system, so you are not burdening his network. And you do the same for him. You don’t know his SSID’s password either, you simply plugged his second router into your router to give him Internet like he did for you.
Another method, just impose on him to add your WiFi plug to his network, so you can use it in your house with our app/app count to turn your modem/router on and off. Again, its just for the connection, no heave traffic to impose on each other. I don’t like this method as much because its his SSID and password on your WiFi plug. And your’s on his. You could even put your Net-B router near his router with another of your WiFi plugs so you can turn it off if you need/want to.
Naturally, this idea does not have the same complete backup as two ISPs if his ISP and yours are the same company. But just because you need to restart your modem and router, does not mean he is experiencing the same need. So, even having the same ISP is better than no backup Internet connection.
Since this Net-B has very little traffic, very little “size”, you could get a cheap WiFi 6 or even WiFi router, or mesh. Even a used one from eBay. I would use a two or three node mesh versus one router. Just to improve the range in and around your house. For instance, if his router is near the back of his house, then, he’s going to put your Net-B router near it. And consequently, you are going to want the node near the back of your house so they can talk to each other. And you might need a third in your house, so, you don’t have to go to the back of your house to adjust it, if you are home.
About the only time this will not work is when the neighborhood (you and he both) have lost power.
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