Ashwin Lewis
Raspberry Pi is a small, low-cost computer that can be used for a variety of tasks, including as a DNS sinkhole to protect devices from unwanted content. While it is possible to put the Raspberry Pi to sleep, it is not recommended as it can cause issues with internet access and device functionality. For example, when the Raspberry Pi wakes up from sleep, users might experience internet access getting stuck for several minutes, with new data unable to load. To avoid this, users can opt for a low-power device like the Raspberry Pi Zero, which consumes less energy and can be left running 24/7 without significantly increasing power costs. Additionally, individual devices connected to the Raspberry Pi, such as network adapters, might have their own sleep modes, which can cause the device to freeze or reboot.
Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Internet Connection | Likely to drop |
| Power Consumption | 0.8 watts on average for a Pi Zero W; 3 watts for a Raspberry Pi |
| Cost | $8 for a Pi Zero W; $48 for 6 Raspberry Pis |
| DNS Queries | May not be resolved |
| Workarounds | Use a low-powered machine; disable Pi-Hole |
| Sleep Mode | No native sleep mode, but individual devices can sleep |
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What You'll Learn
The internet will likely drop
If the Raspberry Pi goes to sleep, the internet will likely drop. This is because the Raspberry Pi does not have a sleep mode, but individual devices in Linux, including network adapters, can go to sleep. This can cause the device to freeze, and the Wi-Fi card to enter economy mode, resulting in a loss of internet connection.
To prevent this, some users have suggested keeping the Raspberry Pi running 24/7. A Raspberry Pi Zero W draws about 0.8 watts on average, which means it can be left running continuously with very little increase in power usage. Alternatively, a regular Raspberry Pi draws about 3 watts, which still may not be a significant increase in electricity costs.
Another option is to use a low-powered machine, such as a Raspberry Pi, as a secondary DNS resolver. This can be set up to ensure that when the primary Raspberry Pi goes to sleep, the internet connection does not drop. However, this may not provide a satisfying internet experience, as the user may have to wait for the secondary DNS resolver to respond.
Additionally, some users have suggested that the Wi-Fi card can be kept awake by continuously pinging it with another Raspberry Pi. However, this does not always work, as some devices will still go to sleep even when receiving requests.
Overall, while it is possible to prevent the internet from dropping when the Raspberry Pi sleeps, it may require additional hardware or increased power usage.
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A low-power device can be used to prevent this
When a Raspberry Pi device goes to sleep, the internet connection may be interrupted, causing a poor browsing experience. This can be an issue for those running Pi-hole, a DNS sinkhole that protects devices from unwanted content. To prevent this, a low-power device can be used to ensure a stable internet connection.
One option is to use a Raspberry Pi Zero, which is a low-power device that can be left running 24/7 with minimal electricity consumption. A Pi Zero draws about 0.8 watts on average, compared to a regular Raspberry Pi which draws about 3 watts. This can be connected directly to the router via a USB port or WiFi, providing constant availability for Pi-hole.
Another suggestion is to disable the screensaver on the Raspberry Pi to prevent it from sleeping. This can be done by going to Preferences -> Screensaver and selecting "Disable Screensaver" in the Mode drop-down menu. Additionally, the console blanking can be turned off by setting consoleblank=0 in the kernel command line.
It is also possible to keep the Raspberry Pi awake by ensuring that the network connection stays active. This can be achieved by turning off power_save mode using the iw command. However, it is worth noting that individual devices in Linux, including network adapters, can still go into sleep mode even if the Pi itself does not have a sleep function.
By utilising low-power devices, such as the Raspberry Pi Zero, and implementing the necessary configuration changes, users can prevent their Raspberry Pi devices from sleeping and maintain a stable connection for Pi-hole, resulting in a seamless browsing experience.
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The device can be plugged directly into the router
If you want to ensure that your Pi-hole is always available, you can plug a small USB-powered device, such as a Raspberry Pi Zero, directly into your router. This setup will provide constant availability without significantly increasing power consumption.
To set up Pi-hole on your router, you can follow these general steps:
- Connect your Raspberry Pi device directly to your router, either through a USB port or an Ethernet cable.
- Configure your Raspberry Pi device to act as a router and access point.
- Set up Pi-hole on the Raspberry Pi device, following the official instructions provided by the Pi-hole project.
- Ensure that your devices connected to the network use Pi-hole as both the DNS and DHCP server. Disable these functions on your main router to avoid IP conflicts.
- Consider setting up a VPN to manage network access and protect your devices from unwanted content.
By plugging a Raspberry Pi device running Pi-hole directly into your router, you can ensure that Pi-hole is always available to handle DNS queries and provide ad-blocking functionality for your network. This setup also simplifies network configuration by centralizing DNS and DHCP services on the Raspberry Pi device.
Additionally, with the Raspberry Pi device always on, you can avoid potential delays in internet access when devices wake up from sleep. This setup ensures a seamless internet experience for your devices, regardless of their sleep or wake state.
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A second Raspberry Pi can be used for redundancy
If you're running PiHole on a Raspberry Pi, and the device goes to sleep, the internet connection will likely drop. To avoid this, you can use a second Raspberry Pi as a redundant system. This means that if the primary Raspberry Pi fails or goes to sleep, the network clients will switch to the secondary Pi-hole, ensuring uninterrupted internet access.
Setting up a second Raspberry Pi for redundancy can be done by configuring your router's DNS settings. You can set one Raspberry Pi as the primary DNS and the other as the secondary DNS. This way, if the primary Pi-hole is unavailable, the network traffic will be routed through the secondary Pi-hole.
It is important to note that having a redundant system may not be necessary for all use cases, especially for home use. However, if you require high availability or have multiple devices relying on the Pi-hole, a second Raspberry Pi can provide a seamless transition and ensure continuous protection from unwanted content.
Additionally, when considering redundancy, it is important to think about power consumption. While a Raspberry Pi has low power requirements, running multiple devices can increase costs. As an alternative to a second Raspberry Pi, you can also explore options like PiVPN or Tailscale, which provide similar redundancy without the need for additional hardware.
In conclusion, a second Raspberry Pi can be used for redundancy in a Pi-hole setup to prevent internet downtime and maintain the functionality of the Pi-hole. However, it is important to weigh the benefits against the added complexity and cost of running multiple devices.
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Individual devices can enter sleep mode, but not the Pi itself
The Raspberry Pi itself does not have a sleep mode. However, individual devices connected to it, such as the network adapters, can enter sleep mode. This means that while the Pi remains active, certain connected devices can go into a low-power state to conserve energy.
For example, a user on the Raspberry Pi forums reported that their device seemed to go to sleep when it was idle for a certain amount of time. They found that their Wi-Fi card was going into economy mode, causing the device to freeze. In another instance, a user on the Raspberry Pi Stack Exchange mentioned that their screen would go to sleep, but the network connection remained active, allowing them to SSH into their Pi.
To prevent the Raspberry Pi from entering an idle state and potentially disrupting network connectivity, some users have suggested keeping the screen active by disabling screen blanking in the raspi-config settings. Additionally, it is recommended to ensure that the POWERDOWN_TIME in the KBD files is set to 0.
While the Raspberry Pi does not have a built-in sleep mode, there are ways to reduce its power consumption. For instance, using the command "sudo poweroff" will shut down the PMIC during the shutdown sequence, reducing power consumption to about 3mA. However, this requires additional steps to wake up the PMIC.
Overall, while the Raspberry Pi itself does not sleep, individual devices connected to it can enter sleep mode, and there are methods to reduce the power usage of the Pi when it is idle.
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Frequently asked questions
If your Raspberry Pi goes to sleep, your internet will likely drop. This can be avoided by purchasing a low-powered machine, such as a Raspberry Pi Zero, which can be left running 24/7 with very little increase in power usage and ongoing costs.
When a new device joins the network or wakes up from sleep, internet access usually works fine. However, if a website or app is open from the previous session, new data may not load. Websites may load only text and white thumbnails, and VPN may not connect.
The Raspberry Pi does not have a sleep mode. However, individual devices in Linux, including network adapters, can go to sleep. To prevent this, you can try leaving your device idle, as some users have reported that their screen goes to sleep but the network connection stays active. Alternatively, you can purchase a low-powered machine, such as a Raspberry Pi Zero, which can run continuously without consuming much power.
