Hardware & IP Device Rebooting
Did you know? ControlByWeb IoT relays are used as a redundant measure to monitor and reboot hardware running an operating system, ensuring uninterrupted service and timely notifications when critical devices become slow or unresponsive.
Ensure Uptime Through Automatic Reboot
Many modern conveniences are thanks in large part to globally interconnected systems. Wireless data is transferred in milliseconds, allowing you to send an email, read a remote thermometer, toggle a door lock, or perform a virtually unlimited number of data-driven actions. This is a double-edged sword—these complex and interconnected networks are often reliant on hardware running full operating systems, which can become slow or unresponsive over time.
It’s one thing for an individual to lose access to their camera doorbell for a few hours. But in the age of Industry 4.0, device and machine uptime is crucial for businesses and organizations. Any downtime can lead to major losses in productivity, revenue, or customer trust. One way to ensure continuous operation is through automatic rebooting of hardware and devices. Devices like the ControlByWeb® WebRelay™ operate independent of these larger systems, programmed to seamlessly initiate a reboot when predetermined conditions are met.
💸 Downtime is awfully expensive.
During the global IT outage that occurred over the summer of 2024, millions of Microsoft Windows devices went down, bringing operations at airlines, banks, and healthcare providers to a halt. The total cost of the outage was estimated to be around $1 billion.1
The Role of IoT Controllers in Hardware & Device Management
IoT devices are pivotal in modern IP systems. They offer redundancy and peace of mind thanks to remote monitoring and control of networked equipment, ensuring issues can be addressed quickly. Thanks to an open REST API, our devices can integrate into existing systems or operate as standalone logical controllers. Through the Task Builder, reboot processes can be automated, reducing the need for manual intervention and minimizing downtime.
Automatic hardware and IP device rebooting is especially beneficial when network devices become unresponsive. (This could include routers, IP cameras, computers, or practically anything with an IP address.) Instead of waiting for a technician to physically reboot a device, an IoT controller can detect an issue and initiate a reboot automatically. This saves time and ensures systems remain operational with minimal disruption.
Commonly Rebooted Equipment
Routers & Modems
Servers
IP Cameras
Smart Appliances
Computers & Workstations
Tower & Obstruction Lighting
POS Systems
Parking Gate Openers
Configure auto reboot in 7 simple steps.
This support article outlines how you could establish hardware monitoring and reboot. It covers everything from wiring to setting reboot parameters using the built-in Task Builder on our devices.
Reliable Hardware for Rebooting
We offer a range of IoT relays that are ideal for hardware monitoring and reboot. Some are even cellular-capable, allowing for access to the device’s UI through any standard web browser even if a local network goes down.
Here are key features of ControlByWeb devices that make them great for IoT applications:
- Specialized reboot logic: Add scheduled and automatic reboot with user-defined thresholds through the built-in logical Task Builder.
- Real-time monitoring: Our controllers provide real-time monitoring, allowing you to detect issues immediately and take corrective action.
- Remote I/O: Two ControlByWeb controllers can communicate through P2P, Ethernet, or cellular. If one side stops communicating, the other can send an alert or initiate a reboot.
- User-friendly interface: The web-based UI makes it easy to configure and manage logic. You can set up and control your devices without needing specialized technical knowledge, thanks to an if-this-then-that conditioning.
- Versatile and flexible: ControlByWeb controllers support an open REST API and are compatible with a wide range of popular protocols like MQTT, making them a versatile solution for nearly any infrastructure.
- Tried and true: Our products feature an industry-leading 5-year warranty and are supported by in-house engineering experts.
The Task Builder allows users to create logic through intuitive, if-this-then-that conditioning.
How ControlByWeb Enhances Uptime
Implementing monitoring and logical control in your infrastructure can significantly increase system uptime. By automatically rebooting unresponsive software and IP devices, our controllers help resolve issues before they escalate. Automated rebooting minimizes the time that systems are offline and reduces the need for manual intervention.
Ultimately, using an IoT controller for rebooting can help lower maintenance costs and free up IT resources for other tasks, essential for smooth operation of any business or organization.
Automatic rebooting—facilitated by IoT controllers like the ones offered by ControlByWeb—provides a reliable and efficient solution to maintain network operation. Features like automated scheduling, real-time monitoring, and a browser-based interface makes our devices a popular choice for integrators. By bringing logical control to the edge, you can proactively monitor and manage potential issues while reducing downtime.
Common Hardware & IP Device Rebooting Applications
An I/O controller can actively monitor devices on a network and initiate a power reboot to restore operability if any malfunction is detected. If service isn’t restored within a predetermined threshold, a notification can be sent from the controller.
Telecom & Radio Towers
Companies reboot tower modems to reestablish communication and maintain the performance of mobile, internet, and radio service networks.
Obstruction Lighting
IoT relay modules initiate reboots of lighting and network devices in a timely, FAA-compliant manner.
Retail
Reboots on POS and inventory management hardware to help streamline operations and improve the customer experience.
Healthcare
Hospitals and clinics reboot computers to ensure operations of critical systems like Electronic Health Record (EHR) systems.
Manufacturing
Production facilities use rebooting to ensure automated systems and machinery stay connected, reducing delays and equipment failures.
Building Systems
A central building automation system (BMS) can initiate reboots to keep an extended network of devices functioning smoothly.
ControlByWeb® IoT Controller Features
Remote Monitor & Reboot
ControlByWeb IoT controllers can actively monitor hardware and perform logical actions or send timely alerts if a system malfunctions.
Built-In Cellular Option
Power mobile and isolated IoT solutions with cellular controllers. No additional hardware is required to power your I/O.
Open Communication
Integrate into larger systems through MQTT, HTTP, and Modbus, and share data logs through email.
Browser-Based UI
Set up and manage your devices and logic through the embedded user interface using any standard web browser.
Scheduled & Conditional Logic
Create automations for scheduled reboots or use logic to initiate a reboot based on predetermined conditions.
P2P-Powered I/O
ControlByWeb modules can link through peer-to-peer networking, allowing for wireless I/O across a wide location.
Test the Platform
We’re confident that you’ll find our embedded UI simple to navigate and program. Click the button below to access a live controller running here at our office in northern Utah. You can set up I/O, create logic, see the state of relays and inputs, and more.
X-410™ Live Demo
Take a self-guided tour of the built-in firmware included with our best selling X-410.
Use the Setup Page to set up I/O, change settings, and create logic with intuitive dropdown menus.
Use the Control Page to see and change the state of relays and inputs at a glance.
*Setup page login information: Username: admin Password: webrelay
Schedule A Guided Walkthrough
Want a little extra guidance? Schedule a 15-minute guided demo with our sales engineers. They’ll show you how it works for your application.
We offer free demo units to qualified integrators and OEMs, ensuring our controllers are the perfect fit for your application. To be considered, submit a sample unit form for review. We’ll collaborate to determine the best device for your needs.
Device Reboot Case Studies
Video Camera Surveillance Systems
Tower Light Monitoring & Remote Reboot
Server Remote Reboot & Auto Reboot
Gate Access Control & Gate Monitoring
Automatically Reboot An IP Camera
7 Key Aspects of Server Room Monitoring and Control
Tailor-Made Solutions
At ControlByWeb, we’re happy to work with you to choose the right I/O for your application. If you’re looking to monitor and reboot hardware, bring logical control to the edge, or develop a personalized solution like white labelling, please contact us.
References
- Chris Isidore (2024, July 21). Costs from the global outage could top $1 billion – but who pays the bill is harder to understand. CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/07/21/business/crowdstrike-outage-cost/index.html