Rangecast FAQ
[FAQ-1251] Verifying WebSwitch


Page Type: REFERENCE


SUBJECT

This FAQ describes how to verify correct WebSwitch installation, and if necessary, correct problems in the setup.


METHOD

To install and verify WebSwitch:

1) Configuration of the WebSwitch may be done by the vendor before shipping. Instructions for that configuration process are here:


[FAQ-1229] WebSwitch setup (remote power switch)

To setup a WebSwitch remote power switch, first set configuration options for the device via a web browser, then connect the device to your PC, and finally associate the serial number of the device with the PC.




2) Connect the WebSwitch to power and internet.

The WebSwitch is shipped configured for DHCP. If you want to give the WebSwitch a static IP (not needed), you must determine the IP address of the WebSwitch on your LAN, and then access the device via a web browser. See the configuration instructions above for how to access the device (but note you must use the dynamically assigned IP address, in place of 192.168.1.2 in those instructions.) Then, you can access the Network tab to set a static IP address.

3) Record information about the hardware configuration:

a) The serial number of the device, from a panel on the base. The format is like 11-22-33-44-55-66

b) When connecting the device to a PC, record whether the PC is on outlet switch #1 or #2. WebSwitch supports two PCs that can be independently power cycled.

4) Your Rangecast representative must enter this information into the Rangecast system database to enable remote control.

Format for data entry: In the PC record, this serial number should be entered in Notes as the rebooter name (using colon as the separation character instead of dash), with "/1" or "/2" added to the end of the name, to indicate the outlet number.

5) Verify the WebSwitch is active by going to the report page indicated here, and see that the MIN-AGO-SWITCH value is 0 or 1 on the row for each PC controlled by this WebSwitch.

[FAQ-1240] Checking Webswitch status

The status of a WebSwitch rebooter in the field can be checked via the status page. This can be useful for checking that a WebSwitch is operational, or diagnosing why a PC connected to a WebSwitch did not restart as expected.




(Note: the WebSwitch may not show as active for the first two minutes after the Rangecast database record has been updated, and also the WebSwitch must have been connected to both power and internet for at least two minutes.)

If the verification step fails, the problem is likely one of the following issues:

a) internet connectivity to the WebSwitch (check for a loose internet cable, make sure the other end of the cable is connected to a working network connection, and see if it is possible to locate the device on your LAN)

b) power connectivity to the WebSwitch (but if it does not have power, any PC powered through the WebSwitch will also be without power)

c) incorrect information entered into the Rangecast database. Carefully check the serial number and outlet number, ensure colons are used in place of dashes, verify that the data record was actually saved and not just entered into the form, and verify that the record entered was for the correct PC (and not, for example, a retired PC formerly associated with the same scanner IDs)

d) a loss of configuration settings from the WebSwitch, or never initially configured

To check that the configuration is correct, you must first determine the IP address of the WebSwitch on your LAN. (The host IT department may be able to supply this information, or if necessary, you can use a program or application that finds connected devices from a PC or tablet on the same LAN.) Then access via a web browser (using this IP address in place of 192.168.1.2), following the instructions as would be done for an initial setup. If the fields look correct according to the instructions, you do not need to re-save that information.

[FAQ-1229] WebSwitch setup (remote power switch)

To setup a WebSwitch remote power switch, first set configuration options for the device via a web browser, then connect the device to your PC, and finally associate the serial number of the device with the PC.


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6) To test that the rebooter power cycles the PC, you can use the Rangecast user interface to initiate a power cycle. The power cycle is expected to start within 2 minutes of submitting a request, and PC power will be shut off for approximately 1 minute before power is restored and the PC can start the bootup process.

[FAQ-1249] Remote power cycling of a PC using WebSwitch

If a PC has a WebSwitch rebooter, you can manually request a power cycle and reboot of the PC through an online Rangecast user interface.




Since power cycling a PC can be rough on the device, you may optionally test performance by shutting down and unplugging the PC, then connecting a lamp to the outlet and seeing if it goes dark for about a minute as expected. But be sure to connect each PC to the correct outlet when reconnecting the system, or the remote rebooting process may power cycle the wrong PC when the service is needed.


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