[Discuss] USB controls?

[Patrick]

Does anyone know if it's possible to cut power to USB devices
from software?  I suspect it is, because the `eject' option in
Thunar [a file manager] not only unmounts external drives, but
seems to turn them off as well.

I just don't know how this is done.  Any thoughts?

I'm thinking of running my wireless bridge off a USB connection
[it runs on 5v 1a, USB current, so no problem there], and have the
system test its connection periodically.  Something like this;

#!/bin/sh

while :
do
	ping -c 1 [arbitrary domain] \
		&& online=1 \
		|| online=0

	if [ $online = 0 ]
	then
		ping -c 1 [arbitrary domain] \
			&& online=1 \
			|| online=0
		#  Try again, in case it as a one-time error.

		while [ $online = 0 ]
		do
			[cut power to external USB device[s]]
			sleep 12
			[restore power to external USB device[s]]
			sleep 123
			#
			#  Give the bridge time to reboot / re-establish
			#  its connection.
			
			#  Test connection.
			ping -c 1 [arbitrary domain] \
				&& online=1 \
				|| online=0
		done
	else
		sleep 2222
	fi
done

#  End.


Thanks,
Patrick.
-- 
For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism.
		-- Harrison