Potential Power-based Disconnections
If Apple has taught us one thing, it is this: software giants can control how you use your system AND when you upgrade to the latest and greatest. They showed us this when they began draining the battery life on those devices using older iOS or models. So, if they can do it to a phone, a computer can also be controlled in the same manner.
When you are working with remote applications and/or internet-based applications, it is important to understand how many things can disrupt your computer’s network connectivity. In today’s day and age, it most common to use a laptop as they are portable. Many prefer them as they are smaller and portable. Some prefer desktops as they provide more power and resources for heavy lifting and processing. Either way, they all require one crucial component, POWER.
For this article, we will focus on Microsoft Windows operating systems. When you understand your power settings, you begin to learn how embedded these features sit. For many, it is too much, and they rely on IT to handle it. Unfortunately, not all IT are readily available, nor are they aware of the many settings Windows has to offer. And even if they are aware, knowing when Microsoft decides to change a setting in an update, one can only hope it is known. Fun fact, Microsoft does not tell you when they wish to change the power settings.
Network Adapter
Your network adapter can manage the power settings on your computer. In the Device Manager, you will find all the components of your computer. In the Network adapters, right click on the ethernet or network adapter and choose the Properties option. Click on the Power Management tab. Review the settings for the network adapter to save you power.
Power & Sleep Settings
The Power & sleep options within Windows Settings allow you to set your screen and sleep settings. By default, the screen power setting is 20 minutes, and the sleep power setting is 30 minutes. A computer will go to sleep once it is idle for the specified period. A computer is considered idle when the CPU is not doing anything. If your computer goes to sleep, it disconnects from the network. If you are disconnected for the network, the internet stops working.
Plan Settings
The Plan Settings can be accessed by clicking the Additional power settings on the Power & Sleep settings or by navigating to Power Options in the Control Panel. These options will mirror what you see in the Power & Sleep settings. Click the Change plan settings next to y our selected power plan. This will let you also set when to turn off the displays and put your computer to sleep. By default, the screen power setting is 20 minutes, and the sleep power setting is 30 minutes. A computer will go to sleep once it is idle for the specified period. A computer is considered idle when the CPU is not doing anything. If your computer goes to sleep, it disconnects from the network. If you are disconnected for the network, the internet stops working.
Advanced Power Options
There are advanced power settings you can access from the Plan Settings. When you click Change advanced power settings, you will see multiple options to manage power settings. By default, the Hard Disk power setting is 20 minutes. A hard disk will turn off once it is idle for the specified period. A hard disk is considered idle when the disk is not being written to. If your hard disk turns off, it disconnects from the network. If you are disconnected for the network, the internet stops working. If you are predominately working on a remote application, you are not using your hard disk.
There are many options in the advanced power settings. It is recommended you review these settings with your IT professional if you are experiencing frequent disconnections while working on remote applications or any application requiring a continual connection to the internet. Anything which minimizes network disconnections helps improve performance.
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