How to disable internet access at night on the router?

Question

I have an internet connection that I'd like to be enabled only during the day. With multiple household internet devices, this would need to be something disabled at the level of the router.

I don't believe the router offers this sort of functionality, but I'm reasonably familiar with setting up web servers and the like, and I'm wondering if I can set up some sort of proxy server on the internet that the router must go through and have that proxy only active at certain times of day.

It's a bit vague I know, but is something like this even possible?

If not, are there other solutions to the problem?

Solution 1

There are low tech solutions also. You can use a light timer such as this. They also make digital ones that are more customizable.

Solution 2

If your router supports running DD-WRT, then you can quite happily disable certain features at certain times (or even restrict this to only include particular machines).

If your router doesn't support DD-WRT, then buy a router that does.

See the DD-WRT Website which has a compatibility list (Router Database).

Solution 3

The OP has not responded to a request for his specific router's "make and model", so we don't know what features it has. However I have a 1 year old, high-end wireless router (dual band, guest network access, wireless on/off switch, USB port), and it does not have direct control of enabling/disabling the "internet access" or the WAN based on a timer.

However this wireless router can perform "content filtering" (aka "parental control") by blocking sites and/or services based on a schedule. The firewall is inspecting all packets traversing the WAN to LAN boundary, and is the natural place to install a simple "internet en/dis-able capability" (i.e. block all sites and services on a nightly schedule).

So the OP should be evaluating the firewall capabilities of his router (e.g. can rules be applied by a schedule), rather than looking for a "WAN disable" feature/capability.

Solution 4

Some routers have telnet or SSH access. If yours does then you could create a script to log into the router and disable/enable the WAN connection (do a DHCP release/renew.) Run that on a schedule and you're all set. Restarting the router at night would re-enable the WAN in this case.

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Comments

[CharlieRB]

Do you have access to the router's admin features? If you give us a make and model someone might be able to give you specifics.

[Synetech]

I don’t know about your situation, but we have a cable-modem that has a standby button on top, so each night, I just hit it to turn off all Internet access, even to the router itself (it doesn’t really need to update its clock in the middle of the night). It’s not automatic, but it’s simple and effective.

[Synetech]

Run it from where? They have multiple Internet devices, so which one is supposed to be the “master” that administers the router?

[Chris Nava]

Whichever one he wants...

[Synetech]

You missed the point. Because there are multiple devices, none can be a “master”. For example, he could assign his own laptop to be the master, but what if the wife wants to check her email after you finished up early for the night? With your way, he would need to wait until every device is confirmed to be disconnected, or else leave one system on 24x7; either way it’s at best inconvenient, at worst, a waste. He needs a device-independent way, which is why he asked for an in-router method.

[Chris Nava]

You are reading too much into the question... He didn't ask for device independence or a solution that doesn't require a computer. This is just one possible way to accomplish the goal. I'm not saying it's the only way or even the best way. Chill out.

[Chris Nava]

"If not, are there other solutions to the problem?" leaves it open to creativity IMHO.

[izb]

This is a good suggestion, I like it. It does however rely on a computer being left switched on at the appropriate time.

[Synetech]

@ChrisNava, ah ok; I didn’t notice the other solutions part, that does indeed leave it open to your suggestion. I got stuck at the at the level of the router part because I have a similar problem in regards to bandwidth monitoring multiple devices.

[Chris Nava]

No problem. For the record, I highly recommend the DD-WRT solution if it's available for your router. The light-timer solution is pure genius but I would avoid it on the principal that I'm a coder. ;-) It could also stress the hardware a bit more since these things are designed to be left ON all the time..

[Chris Nava]

Genius! I wonder though if the router or its power supply would fail sooner due to the power being toggled so often? Does anyone have experience with using solution?

[Chris Nava]

Except for the "buy a new router" portion I recommend this solution. I received a second hand router that supported DD-WRT and promptly replaced my existing (arguably better quality) router that didn't support DD-WRT once I saw its features.

[ratchet freak]

you could use a cheap switch between the router and modem so the router is always on

[emory]

There is another solution that this even more low tech. Get into the following routine: (1) Wake up. (2) Plug in the router. (3) Go about your day. (4) Unplug the router. (5) Go to sleep.

[Keltari]

Devices like these draw little power, nor do they have a surge in power when turned on. Still, to be safe, always use a surge protector.

[Keltari]

@ChrisNava - I just noticed your question. Yes, I came up with and used this solution before. Long, long ago I worked at a company where we provided dial in access to in internal network. The modem aggregator connected 16 modems to the LAN. I found it would lock up once a week. I called the manufacturer and was told it was an unfixable bug and the device would have to be reset if it occurred. Rather than waiting around for it to fail, I implemented a nightly "maintenance window" which was using the timer to turn the device off at 3AM for 15 minutes. Never had an issue again.

[Guy]

I've tried this for a while to restrict PC hours:lenehans.ie/media/catalog/product/cache/4/image/…

[Seth]

This should've been a comment. Try to gains some more reputation by asking your own questions or pursuing other activities that could gain you some reputation. As an answer it's lacking any information short of the product name. There is no information on how to configure it or how it works.

[Mark]

@emory Unless you are (purely hypothetically) disabling the internet to force yourself to go to sleep, in which case it must be automatic.

[Nathan]

@Keltari seems the link is broken. this link may be of interest (while it's still valid, heh :P)

[Keltari]

@frank i updated a search link to Amazon.

[Xen2050]

Could use a script on the router itself, if it's supported. I believe dd-wrt supports cron scripts, among others. Or, if your router has a physical button, you could configure it to toggle the wifi on & off, like dd-wrt and the old WRT54 routers, among others. Why have the wifi on at all unless you're actually using it anyway?