This feature is intended to allow the device to execute predefined commands, at times defined by the user. The functionality is equivalent to the UNIX cron service. Subject of execution can be any command line command. Therefore, the full feature set of all devices can be controlled by this facility.
Application examples:
- scheduled connection Many leased lines disconnect automatically after 24 hours of continuous operation. This enforced disconnection can have some unwanted side-effects for example if it happens to an unsuitable time during the day, because e.g. the VPN tunnel is disconnected and the IP address of the device is changed. To control the disconnecting time a manual disconnection can be set e.g. at midnight, so it can not happen at an unsuitable time. As a second example devices with a distributed network with only dynamic IP addresses can build up a connection at a certain time to a VPN gateway, so that data can be transferred safely. This way a protected access is even possible without an ISDN connection.
- time-dependant firewall or QoS rules The firewall and QoS rules are at first temporally constant. But it can be useful to make variable settings for different daytimes or weekdays. At e.g. off-hours or weekends different priorities for guaranteed bandwidths can be set than at business hours.
- regular firmware or configuration updates Time-controlled rules do not only provide the settings of particular values, it is even possible to switch to a whole different configuration. This possibility allows you to pool a whole string of settings and change them all at once with one command. Therefore changing the configuration of the device with completely different values at the weekend and switching back on monday mornings can be done with just one command. Additionally the regular update of the newest firmware from one single source is adjustable.
- Email messages With the time-controlled rules you have the option that the device informs the administrator by email not only about specific firewall events, but even to set times. The email can e.g. inform about building up an internet connection successfully after an enforced disconnection or after booting the device because of a restart.
- time-dependant interfaces The time dependant use of interfaces for a set duration is also provided by the time-controlled rules. Therewith e.g. a WLAN interface can permit the wireless access to the network only at certain times.
- Deleting certain tables It can be useful to delete the content of some tables in LCOS regularly. If your internet access for example has a monthly limited transfer volume, you can delete your accounting table monthly to have a survey of the present transferred data volume.
