Intelligent power cycling of a wireless modem

1. A method of power cycling a wireless modem, comprising:

testing the wireless modem continuously for error conditions while the wireless modem is connected to a wireless network, the testing comprising:

determining if the wireless modem is non-responsive to attempts at communication with the wireless modem, and

determining if data received by the wireless modem is erroneous using at least one of the following corruption identification techniques: calculating a checksum on the received data, determining if the received data has unexpected patterns, determining whether the received data follows expected formats or protocols, and determining if an amount of received data matches an expected amount; and

automatically cycling a power source of the wireless modem if the testing determines at least one of the following conditions to be true:

the modem is non-responsive, and

the data received by the wireless modem is erroneous.

2. A method of power cycling a wireless modem, comprising:

determining that the wireless modem is in an error state through continuous testing of the wireless modem while the wireless modem is connected to a wireless network, the error state achieved if at least one of the following conditions are met: the wireless modem is non-responsive to attempts at communication with the wireless modem and data received by the wireless modem is determined as erroneous using at least one of the following corruption identification techniques: calculating a checksum on the received data, determining if the received data has unexpected patterns, determining whether the received data follows expected formats or protocols, and determining if an amount of received data matches an expected amount;

automatically power cycling the wireless modem if the wireless modem is in the error state.

3. A method of testing a wireless network, comprising:

automatically sending multiple active tests, multiple passive tests, or both via the wireless network to a wireless modem while initially maintaining power to the wireless modem during the tests;

determining if the wireless modem is in an error state via the tests, the error state achieved if at least one of the following conditions are met: the wireless modem is non-responsive to attempts at communication with the wireless modem and data received by the wireless modem is determined as erroneous using at least one of the following corruption identification techniques: calculating a checksum on the received data, determining if the received data has unexpected patterns, determining whether the received data follows expected formats or protocols, and determining if an amount of received data matches an expected amount;

automatically power cycling the wireless modem if it is determined the wireless modem is in the error state; and

repeating the tests if the wireless modem is not determined to be in an error state.

4. A method according to claim 3 , further comprising:

automatically determining, from attempting to send one of the tests to the wireless modem, that there is a problem with at least one of the wireless modem and the wireless network, and performing the power cycling in response to the determining.

5. A method, comprising:

initiating a connection to a wireless network using a wireless modem;

maintaining the connection to the wireless network when the wireless modem becomes idle;

testing the wireless modem continuously for error conditions while the connection is being maintained;

determining that there is a problem using the wireless modem if said testing indicates that there are error conditions, the error conditions including at least one of the following: the wireless modem is non-responsive to attempts at communication with the wireless modem and data received by the wireless modem is determined as erroneous using at least one of the following corruption identification techniques: calculating a checksum on the received data, determining if the received data has unexpected patterns, determining whether the received data follows expected formats or protocols, and determining if an amount of received data matches an expected amount; and

in response to a determination that there is a problem using the wireless modem, automatically cycling power to the wireless modem and re-initiating a connection to the wireless network using the wireless modem.

6. An apparatus, comprising:

a wireless modem;

a testing system to test the wireless modem continuously for error conditions while the wireless modem is connected to a wireless network, the testing system comprising:

determining if the wireless modem is non-responsive to attempts at communication with the wireless modem, and

determining if received by the wireless modem is erroneous using at least one of the following corruption identification techniques: calculating a checksum on the received data, determining if the received data has unexpected patterns, determining whether the received data follows expected formats or protocols, and determining if an amount of received data matches an expected amount; and

a computer communicating with the wireless modem and controlling a source of power for the wireless modem, wherein the computer cycles power to the wireless modem if at least one of the following conditions occurs: it is determined that the wireless modem is non-responsive, and if it is determined that the data received by wireless modem is erroneous.

7. An apparatus, comprising:

a power control device with at least one power outlet and a first communication interface receiving power control commands, the control device controlling power to the power outlet according to the received power control commands;

a wireless modem coupled with the power control device; and

a controlling device comprising a second communication interface through which the controlling device monitors a status of the wireless modem device through continuous testing of the wireless modem while the wireless modem is connected to a wireless network; wherein the status of the wireless modem device includes a determination of whether the wireless modem is non-responsive to attempts at communication with the wireless modem, and a determination of whether data received by the wireless modem is erroneous using at least one of the following corruption identification techniques: calculating a checksum on the received data, determining if the received data has unexpected patterns, determining whether the received data follows expected formats or protocols, and determining if an amount of received data matches an expected amount, and a third communication interface through which the controlling device sends power control commands that are based on the status of the wireless modem to the power control device.

8. A computer readable storage for enabling a device to perform a process, the process comprising:

determining that an error condition exists through continuous testing of the wireless modem while the wireless modem is connected to a wireless network, by determining:

if a wireless modem is non-responsive to attempts at communication with the wireless modem, and

if received by the wireless modem is in an error state using at least one of the following corruption identification techniques: calculating a checksum on the received data, determining if the received data has unexpected patterns, determining whether the received data follows expected formats or protocols, and determining if an amount of received data matches an expected amount; and

in response to the determining, automatically cycling a power source of the wireless modem if one of the following conditions occurs:

it is determined that the wireless modem is non-responsive, and

it is determined that the data from the wireless modem is in the error state.