Poll: Home WiFi Use

[Midpack]

It's amazing how quickly (relative to our ages) we've gone from nothing but a hardwired internet connection to WiFi at home as a novelty to leaving (and using) WiFi up a lot. First it was laptop and 1 iPad, then 2, now 2 smartphones (use WiFi to preserve data GB where possible). Just curious where this audience is on the spectrum.

I suspect there may be some who already rely on cellular connections at home more than WiFi, we're not there (yet).

Interesting (IMO) related article http://www.cisco.com/web/about/ac79/docs/sp/SP_Wi-Fi_Consumers.pdf

 

[CoolChange]

Mine, and almost everyone's I know, are on 27/7. Mom still turns hers off and unplugs it (along with lamps, TV's, etc.) when it is not in use. I prefer the convenience of being able to connect with no boot/power-up lag. Same reason I do not unplug TV's, lamps, etc.

Currently, I am willing to accept the [minimal in my view] extra electricity costs and electrical fire hazard risk.

 

[GalaxyBoy]

It's on 24/7/365 and I never give it a thought. Besides, one of the cats spends much of her time on it. We call it her "warm spot."

Let's see, what all connects to it? Laptop, ipad, two iphones, two blu-ray players, a TV, an audio/video receiver, the thermostat, a media player, a wifi to IR converter that lets the ipad and iphones be a remote control, and a printer. At least that's all I can think of at the moment.

Can't imagine why I would ever turn it off. In fact, I think the poll should have an answer for 24 hours added above 12-24.

 

[Al18]

Cable modem, wireless router and Vonage VOIP device are on 24/7 and connected to a battery back-up device. As long as all security settings are enabled, I see no reason to turn these devices off.

 

[RockyMtn]

Never turn our modem/router off. We have voip attached and also ATT MicroCell for our mobile phones as we get lousy reception down here in the dessert.

 

[Nodak]

On 24/7 here too.

 

[aja8888]

Landline phone went out the window last year with DW kicking and screaming about losing it. She says the "kids" call on it. She found out the kids only text her and the landline was a funnel for telemarketing.

Wireless includes:

Two smart phones,
One Asus Transformer,
One Kindle Fire,
Two custom made (by me) desktops (we like full size keyboards and networked printers)
One laptop,
One Roku
One wireless Canon photo printer

The wireless is on all the time. We have 30 MB/sec down and 5 up speeds.

 

[Midpack]

Wow, I'm (pleasantly) surprised with the results so far. Ours probably goes on/off twice a day for 6-12 hours total, and I'm starting to think I should just leave it on 24/7 mostly. Hence the thread.

And I'll probably move the router from upstairs (by the desktop PC) to downstairs where it's used more often than not...exciting times.

 

[aim-high]

Why would a WiFi connection ever be turned off unless rebooting the router?

 

[RunningBum]

Put it where it has the most coverage or is the most convenient or aesthetic place. Of course if you use a wired connection at all put it where you use that. You won't notice the difference between 5 bars and 4 or 3. The wifi router isn't limiting your internet speed, your broadband connection is, if that's why you are moving it. And, 24/7 for me.

 

[imoldernu]

Never thought much about this... Our electricity cost is so low, @less than $.07 KWH that just about everything is on all the time.
Wireless modem (no security)
Wireless router secured
Hub
Vonage modem
Three desktops
One laptop
One tablet
Roku media player
Sony media player
Dumb Cell phone w/ some kind of internet @.10 min. too expensive
Wireless Printer

Dunno.. never think in terms of WiFi... Just like to play with all electronics.

 

[Midpack]

Why would a WiFi connection ever be turned off unless rebooting the router?

Right or wrong:

• when we first got it, it was a novelty, not used often - that's changed over time
• it's on a power strip with all our PC peripherals, so it's easy to turn everything (except the PC) on/off
• figured it might extend the life of the router
• even though ours has the most obscure password ever, DW is very security/privacy "aware"

 

[MichaelB]

No option for 24/7? The only time my router goes down is when the power company or ISP takes it down by signal disruption.

 

[samclem]

Like most others (I suspect), we never turn ours off unless there's a thunderstorm, etc.

 

[ERD50]

Why would a WiFi connection ever be turned off unless rebooting the router?

That's what I was wondering. Mine is on 24/7. It wasn't clear to me (still isn't) what the OP was getting at.

Wow, I'm (pleasantly) surprised with the results so far. Ours probably goes on/off twice a day for 6-12 hours total, and I'm starting to think I should just leave it on 24/7 mostly. Hence the thread. ...

What is it about the replies that pleases you? Why would other people leaving theirs on 24/7 have any bearing on what you do? Maybe if I understood this, it would make more sense to me.

I guess what confuses me is that you don't give any reason for turning it on/off. Without that, it is a mysterious poll to me. And it is odd to me that 'More than 12 hrs/day on average' is the highest usage option, when 24/7 is common.

-ERD50

 

[Midpack]

That's what I was wondering. Mine is on 24/7. It wasn't clear to me (still isn't) what the OP was getting at.





What is it about the replies that pleases you? Why would other people leaving theirs on 24/7 have any bearing on what you do? Maybe if I understood this, it would make more sense to me.

I guess what confuses me is that you don't give any reason for turning it on/off. Without that, it is a mysterious poll to me. And it is odd to me that 'More than 12 hrs/day on average' is the highest usage option, when 24/7 is common.

-ERD50

Sorry you were confused...the poll is serving the OP's intended purpose fine thanks.

For another POV http://compnetworking.about.com/od/homenetworking/f/poweroffnetwork.htm

 

[aim-high]

Midpack, why do you turn your router on/off?

 

[NW-Bound]

Our Wifi has been 24/7 for more than a decade now. The server PC and the former work PCs (not used for much anymore) are on LAN to get the 1Gbps speed, but we both like to surf the Web with a laptop or notebook. The media boxes are also wireless, though I have not been using them much.

No iSomething yet, but I guess we will succumb eventually.

 

[growing_older]

Always on except for power outages. I don't expect any longer life by power cycling, nor any practical improvement in security. If anything the thermal stress of on/off might reduce the lifetime. Not to mention that it's a lot easier to leave it on and forget it.

 

[MBAustin]

24x7. The wireless router is built into the TV connection box (UVerse) and thus it has to be near the main TV/DVR setup.

1 Ooma for phone service
1 desktop
1 laptop
2 iPhones
1 iPad
1 wireless printer/scanner

I feel technologically behind after reading some of the other lists, must be time for a new gadget!

 

[Ready]

Prior to this thread, it never even occurred to me that turning those things off was an option. I thought they were like refrigerators...you just leave them on all the time.

We have a lot of concrete in our home, so we actually need five routers to maintain a signal over the entire house, plus a microcell for cell phone reception. Trying to turn on and off five routers on a regular basis would be plain exhausting.

 

[pb4uski]

24/7/365 here. Could turn it off but can't be bothered.

 

[W2R]

Why would a WiFi connection ever be turned off unless rebooting the router?

+1

I didn't even vote because I have never even heard of anyone turning off their router every day. I have had mine on 24/7 nearly continuously for over a decade. Routers are not exactly a hot new invention.

 

[mpeirce]

24/7

As a few others have mentioned, it's infrastructure. Not unlike electricity in each room.

We even have the main router and cable modem on a UPS. It's fun (and actually useful) to be able to use the internet from a battery operated device when the power goes out in a storm.

 

[foxfirev5]

I didn't even know my router had a switch.