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GearMinder

Router Connection Management Software

Current version : 0.7 (November 2002 release)

By Edward Cheung


Introduction

The Netgear RT311/RT314 routers are specifically designed for the DSL/Cable Modem environment.  Occasionally, ISPs have routing or other network problems where packets destined for the IP address assigned to the router no longer make it to their proper destination.  In this case, you lose connectivity with the net.  If you are occasionally and inexplicably losing connection to the net while everything appears in order on the router status screens, you can test for this condition as follows:
  1. While the problem persists, connect to the internet via dialup.
  2. Ping the IP address assigned to you by the ISP (you can find that from the router config screens)
  3. If the reply states 'Node Unreachable' instead of 'Timed Out', you are having this routing problem.
My uninformed explanation of this problem is that your ISP has forgotten (either accidentally or intentionally) that you own that dynamic IP address.  Packets do not get routed to you, but are dropped on the floor.

GearMinder is a small standalone application that remedies this problem.  It needs no installation, and can be run from the 'Startup' menu.  It regularly connects to web servers (port 80), to verify that all is ok.  After a configurable number of consecutive failures, it telnets into the Netgear router to drop and renew the dynamic IP.  This should fix the problem.  An optional feature is the sending of an automated email so you have a record of the occurrence, and so you are notified of the new IP address of the router.  This is useful if you want to telnet into your system and have not signed up with DynDNS, or if the service is down for some reason.


GearMinder's control screen.

Setup

Clicking on the tabs at the top brings you to the various config screens.  Pausing over key controls will cause a hint to appear that helps to explain its purpose. In addition to the control tabs above, the program shows the number of resets in a small box in the top right.  Double-clicking on this box will reset the contents.  There is also an event window at the bottom with the time tagged events.
 

Operation

Just run the program, and enter the setup info.  When you quit, the configuration is saved in a text file called 'gearminder.txt'.  I hope this program will be useful to you and that you will send me email with feedback.

Please realize that the root problem with your disconnection is with your ISP.  GearMinder is just a band-aid.  It will NOT prevent disconnections, but merely provides an automatic mechanism to restore it.  Please do not email me with question on why the connection is still dropping.  The problem is with your ISP, and varies from case to case.  I will be unable to assist you in your particular situation.

I get a LOT of email due to GearMinder.  I will gladly accept bug reports, donations, compliments, and complaints.  If your question is extremely basic, or already covered on this web page, I may not reply (sorry).
 

Known Bugs

Description : Running under Windows XP, GearMinder will prevent the PC from shutting down.  You need to shut down GearMinder first.
Resolution :  Under investigation.

Description: Running under Win XP, the router does not accept the password.
Resolution: I do not have much insight in this very strange problem.  Some XP users do not report this problem.  I do not know if Version 0.7 fixes this.
 

Links

Improvement fund

If you find GearMinder useful, I hope you will contribute to the Improvement Fund.  Any size donation would be welcome.  Thank you!

Version History


GearMinder's download history.  Each column represents number of downloads per month.
The '6' on the right is the partial total for June 2002.  From Nedstat.

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