> > > I have a very naive question: > > > is there a very simple way to run job periodically > > > BUT only when the LAN connection is enabled ?
> But, as in my case, > it is usless if you let permanently you card in its plug: > with realport card pluging means pluging the cable to the card. > Any more idea ? For most people, being at a LAN connection also means being near a power source; if this is true for you, you can do what I do: hook into apmd's event stuff. On my debian potato/woody OB800, I put a script in /etc/apm/event.d that that triggers on the transition to AC (I'm not sure where this is documented; I discovered it by reading /etc/apm/apm_proxy). (I guess you'd want to get in the habit of pluggin in the LAN connection before the AC, huh?). I use this technique to /etc/init.d/*/stop daemons that are pointless without a LAN connenction or power and start them back up when I connect. I even unload pcmcia since I don't have any battery-powered pcmcia devices. This seriously increases battery life since it doesn't swap as much. Older versions of support triggering on suspend and resume only (/etc/apm/suspend.d and /etc/apm/resume.d) so you'd have to have a resume script check for battery vs AC via the contents of /proc/apm or output of /usr/bin/apm (the latter is much more readable). Hope this works for you too.
