Built-In Website
Test result charts, configuration information and settings, and several
administration controls are all available through Informant's built-in
website. Its URL is simply the IP address of the unit, and for convenience
this is shown on Informant's front-panel display.
This website is also responsive and dynamically reshapes itself to fit on
almost any screen, making it usable with mobile phones and tablets as well
as desktop PCs and laptops.
For added security, this internal website is only accessible from inside the
network. Visitors are only allowed access if they are on an IP address that
is reserved for internal networks. (By default, the allowed IP ranges are
10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12, 192.168.0.0/16, and 169.254.0.0/16. Other ranges
may be added by editing Informant's web server's configuration file.)
Charts
Informant records the results of up to 32,768 tests, and presents the data
as charts by test type and by time frame. Informant also breaks the data
down by time domain, which can reveal patterns that aren't otherwise obvious.
Connection Keep-Alive
Informant performs a quick "go"/"no-go" test on your Internet connection once every 30 seconds (by default) to verify the connection is up to at least some usable level. If the test fails, the modem and router are automatically restarted.
Connection Status At-A-Glance
A simple graphic indicator of the overall condition of the Internet connection
is accessible from a special URL on Informant's built-in website. This allows
for a quick at-a-glance check of the condition of the conection that works on
almost any device.
Connection Status Reporting
Each test's results are compared against the running average of all previous tests. If a test's results runs longer than the average, Informant will report it. Informant learns what is "normal" for your Internet connection, and constantly fine-tunes its understanding over time.
Easy Backup
Plug a USB drive into Informant, obtain access to the administration side of Informant's built-in website, and click a single button to back up your unit's settings and software.
Front-Panel Display
Informant sports a multi-line OLED display behind its front panel, which turns on when a sensor nearby detects a person's presence. With a wave of the hand, see the condition of the Internet connection as of the most recent test, the latency status of Informant's internal PC, and the IP address of Informant's internal website.
Industrial Relays With Integrated Drive Safety
Mains power control is handled by long-life, heavy-duty industrial relays for more reliable switching. The relays are driven by a Supervisor controller with program code that limits potential problems such as switching a relay too fast or too often.
Integrated Security
For your protection, Informant will only allow access to potentially
sensitive controls to someone that has direct physical access to the unit.
Permission can be granted for a day, a week, a month, a year, or permanently.
Mains AC Fault Detection
Informant monitors the state of its power outlets, and detects wiring faults. Specifically, Informant uses non-contact AC mains current detectors to detect dead ports (where an outlet should be powered but isn't) and stuck relays (where an outlet should be unpowered but current flows through it).
Manually Restart Modem/Router On Demand
You can manually restart your modem and router at any time from any device on your network, once that device has been given access to the controls.
Network Tests
Informant includes a handful of common network tests for manual testing of your Internet connection. Ping an IP address, perform a traceroute to check for routing problems between your network and a target IP address, and more, all from an easy-to-use web interface.
No Subscription Required
Your hardware purchase gives you a license to download the Informant core testing software, and the built-in website is accessible by desktop computers and mobile devices alike without requiring special apps. Although we offer subscription services to accompany Informant, these are always optional.
Nothing Is Sent Outside Your Network
Informant does not report to an outside server, and does not send information outside your network.
Power-Loss Detection
Informant includes a built-in power storage system that allows the unit to shut down gracefully in the event of a power failure. (Please note that this does NOT power external devices!) When power is restored, Informant waits a moment to allow the power to stabilize, and then automatically restarts your modem and router.
Programmable
Informant's testing system is based on Python 3.x scripts, and an easy-to-use API is provided for creating your own custom tests.
Right-To-Repair Friendly
Informant embraces the right-to-repair initiatives currently at work throughout the country. Schematics and repair parts are being made available on this website.
Routing Appliance & Open-Source Router OS Support
Informant can recognize and work with many types of routing appliance, router OS, and custom routing hardware, including products from DD-WRT, SonicWall, pfSense, IPFire, and more. If Informant detects one of these during its initial setup, it will default to only restarting the modem in the event of a connection loss or power failure, and won't restart the router unless specifically instructed to do so.
Secure Shell (SSH) Access
Informant exposes a SSH interface, for users familiar with shell-based or command-line operation. Access the unit's filesystem, perform advanced configuration, maintenance or diagnostics, or manually run tests.
Server/Port Monitoring
Informant can monitor the ping times and network connectivity between itself and up to 32 IP/port combinations. The times from each test are compared against the running average of previous tests, and higher-than-normal latency and unusual hop counts are reported. Make sure you can reach your favorite websites, game servers, and services.
Source Code Included
Almost all of Informant's source code is provided, and updates can be downloaded from our repository. (We have to say "almost all" because Informant's internal Supervisor system must remain closed-source as it contains program code that is critical to safe operation and has to be protected against tampering.) See how everything works, and customize as required.
Super-Simple Setup
Initial setup is as easy as plugging power cords into outlets and connecting a single network cable: plug your modem into one outlet, plug your router into the other, connect a network cable from Informant to your router, and plug Informant into an outlet. Informant will take it from there, automatically detecting your network hardware and configuring itself. By default, Informant can recognize most of the modems and routers listed as supported by most of the United States' broadband providers.
Temperature Monitoring and Overheat Protection
Informant's internals are monitored by temperature sensors, and Informant will automatically shut itself down if an overheating condition is detected. The readings from the temperature sensors can be viewed from Informant's built-in website.
Thorough Testing
Every 15 minutes, Informant performs comprehensive usage-based testing on the Internet connection. This test checks for DNS issues (both cached and authoritative DNS resolve times are tested), website response times, and traceroute hop count. This allows Informant to monitor DNS query times and network routing issues as well as website behavior.
Informant also tests your hardware, checking for the response times for both modem and router. Lagging hardware is reported, and unresponsive hardware is automatically restarted.
VPN-Friendly
Informant refuses to accept connection requests from the outside world, but does allow requests from clients over a properly-configured VPN. This allows for a secure means of remote access - monitor and control a network from almost anywhere.
You Own The Hardware
No rental fees, no subscriptions, just a single equipment purchase.