Use second pair of phone line as a switch to control server remotely?

[PingSpike]

I have a server in the basement, which has my internet modem in it. Archaic I know. But it works and with a little call waiting interface software it drops the connection when an incoming call occurs to allow sharing of the phone line pretty good.

However, there isn't an easy way to remotely disconnect the internet in order to MAKE a phone call. If you pick up the phone before making a call, sometimes interference will sometimes cause the modem to drop connection but it doesn't always work consitently.

I had a crazy idea. All phone cable has 2 pairs, one is used for the phone line and the second is for most people just a spare. I was thinking that where the phone line enters my basement I could disconnect that pair and cap them. Then attach a second wire to the interior side of that pair, feed it back to the server and attach it to a disassembled mouse or gamepad to allow it to execute a shortcut on the server or something to force a disconnect. Then, at the phone jacks around the house a simple button could be wired to that pair, which when pressed would execute the disconnect command.

I probably won't do it, but I was curious if there would be any sort of cross talk or interference that would occur due to this odd setup if I tried it. It wouldn't really require many parts to make happen.

 

[kevnich2]

Try DSL/Cable/FIOS internet. You can use the phone at the same time and get much faster speeds too

 

[ChAoTiCpInOy]

Originally posted by: kevnich2
Try DSL/Cable/FIOS internet. You can use the phone at the same time and get much faster speeds too

lol

 

[bobdole369]

This is a simple switch input. You can use the com port on that PC to act as the trigger in your application. You might need to write something but I just about guarantee its out there somewhere.

i.e. when COM1: DTR goes high - execute discomodem.bat

Make damn sure you pull the second line off your 66 block or your telco demarc. Even on an inactive phone line you can have over 70VAC on the line.

We use digital ins on runs over 300 feet sometimes through the bowels of a luxury oceangoing yacht. You can imagine the trouble that causes with interference. Simple switch inputs (digital in) is very good with noise.

 

[doan]

what OS is the server, can you just use remote desktop or VNC to disconnect via GUI?

 

[PingSpike]

Thanks bobdole369. Yeah, probably a little hunting and I could find some kind of software. I was thinking of disassembling an old mouse or game controller, but that would likely be a lot less complex. I have the main line coming from the demarc that goes into the basement which then goes to the other phone jacks in the house. I figure I'd leave the line 2 disconnected on the phone jack side there.

The switch itself run to a serial port like that...would that cause any interference to the modem line? I'm not sure why it would, but obviously on dial up internet clean lines are fairly important since every little bit counts.

doan: The server already has UltraVNC on it, but the idea here was to be able to quickly disconnect the internet and free up the phone line from any phone in the house, without having to start up a computer and run a remote session.