Power to Network Equipment

[lee_network]

My cable provider has suggested to keep power to the cable modem 24/7.

Should the router and switch be left powered on also 24 hours a day?

There are 5 computers on the nework . . . we usually turn on the router and switch when someone needs on the internet. Leaving them on with the modem would make things a bit easier . . . but not a real problem now.

Will the life of the units be shortened if the power is always on?

Thanks for you ideas.

[TK Doom]

Todays people leave their computers on 24/7, I don't.

I do leave all the network stuff, cable modem, router and susequent switches on all the time...


That is 2 years and running...

No problems...

[2K2_Firehawk]

Ya Lee, just leave the router and cable modem on. They dont use very much electricity at all and if an electronic component is going to fail, it typically does in the first 24 hours or so (its burn in time).

Good Luck

[cszeto]

Powering things on and off actually shortens the life, but it's a toss between unit life/durability and the cost of keeping it running continually. Most of the consumer networking equipment draws only small amounts of power, not too different than leaving a VCR plugged in.