Linkstation Pro V1.20 sleepmode usage problem

[Ra]

   

I've got a 500GB Linkstation Pro (LS-500GL  95840480302731G) and recently upgraded the firmware from V1.11 to V1.20 as I wanted to use the sleepmode. I set up an ON time for 9:45 and an OFF time for 10:00. When the time arrived at 10:00, the unit beeped, the harddrive stopped spinning and the leds on the front turned off.

 

Fantastic.

 

(1) Now, how do I wake it up from sleep mode? Don't tell me that I have to press the power button as this unit is going in a remote location and I don't want to make a 120 mile round trip. You should still be able to access the unit via the ethernet (maybe using the buffalo navigator instead of the web interface) in order to tell it to wake up.

 

Imagine the situation where you have set the unit to turn on between 3:00 AM and 4:00 AM. Then realise that you have made a mistake and want to change that time. Will I really have to wake myself up at 3:00 AM just so that I can commuicate with the unit when it is turned on?

 

(2) How can I tell if a unit is in sleep mode and not faulty or turned off? Surely there should be an LED displayed on the front to indicate this. Maybe just the info LED.

[Dustrega]

Ra,

   In response to your questions and a solution to your problem.  The time setting should be in a 24-hour format so instead of 10:00 try 22:00.  The on time most likely stops the unit from turning on until the allotted time is reached for security reasons.  However, in response to your scenario that you placed the power button will most likely be the only alternative for powering on the device before this time as it does not have a wake on LAN feature built-in.  Although this device is a very advanced external storage it is NOT a server unfortunately and can only supply so much functionality.  As far as for your last question I don't believe that there is coding within the firmware that sends a signal to one of the LEDs although I will submit that as a suggestion for the next firmware revision.  However, since the administrator of this device sets that specified time I would hope that they would either know when the unit was shut down or inform another person if an inquiry is presented.  Hopefully, you find this information useful.

Message Edited by Dustrega on 01-26-2009 11:30 AM

[Ra]

   

Thanks for the response Dustrega,

looks like I got my firmware version incorrect, should be V1.15 not V1.20!

 

Shame about the lack of wake-on-LAN, it would be very useful. Interestingly, I have discovered that the Linkstation will respond to a ping when it is in sleep. If this isn't a "feature" of the network chipset then the processor must still be running at a reasonable level in order to support network communications. Would it be too great a stretch to add the code that can identify the Magic Wake-On-LAN packets? Or why not have the Linkstation wake up for 15 minutes when pinged when asleep thus allowing access via the web interface. You would need to add a "Stay Awake" button as well.