Can the HDA be used as DNS/DHCP server and acessed in sleep?

[Anima]

I'm trying to determine the optimum setup for me. While i would love to use all the functionality that Amahi provides, i'm a bit hesitant about letting it serve as a DHCP and DNS server. Mainly because i would like it to go to sleep when it's not being used to save energy (and thereby money). My question then lies in if i can still boot my PC and easily obtain ip-address and the like if i want my HDA to go to sleep if it experiences no activity for 15 minutes? As i understand it, i need my HDA to be online and running for me to access the internet from my other machines if it serves as the DNS/DHCP server. As a bonus, the server should be able to be put out of sleep if i need to do so outside the private network (eg. from school and work), right? - if i make my router forward to the server?

I personally believe that i could access it on the local network somehow. That is, put it out of sleep and get the info so i can connect to the internet.

What do you guys recommend? - i'm confused!



Edit: I have read the FAQ.

ps: Does linux require a firewall besides that in my router and antivira software?

[bigfoot65]

Interesting question. I would say that if the hda goes to sleep, it would meed to be set in the bios for wake on lan. Not sure if that will still help though. There needs to be a way for a client to wake it, but if the hda is sleeping, then the client would not be able to get an IP from it. Not sure if the router could do it. I am not for sure as I have never tried it, but sounds logical.

With the technology today, you don't typically save much money by putting it to sleep. If you had 5 machines, there might be some noticeable savings but for one I can't imagine it being that much. I leave mine on 24/7 and have not noticed a big change in my bill.

The only other option I could see working is to make the router the DHCP server and turn it off for the HDA. Then you could wake it when you needed to use it. Keep in mind there are tradeoffs for disabling DHCP on the HDA listed in the FAQ.

Linux does have a firewall, but I believe it is disabled by default with Amahi. If you enable it, you have to do change some settings or you may not have access to all the HDA functions. In my opinion, firewall on the client is best and less trouble. You can really mess up things using the linux one if you do not know what you are doing.

Hope this helps. Sorry I don't have the answer.

[Anima]

Ok, thanks for answering.

Now, if i disable it as per the FAQ (and let the router be untouched), can't i enable it again if i want to later? - it states that it will be disabled forever..?

[bigfoot65]

Yes you can enable it later. When you uncheck all the options it will not start on reboot. Once you want to use it again, just enable all the check boxes and it will be back to normal.

[Anima]

Thanks bigfoot. You really helped me throughout my threads!

Have a nice day