up vote 5 down vote favorite
1
share [g+] share [fb]

This has always been a mystery to me and with all the snow we're getting I'd like to work from home but the boss man wants us to turn our computers off a night to save energy. Figured I'd like to try Wake-On LAN, but not sure where to start.

link|improve this question
71% accept rate
feedback

3 Answers

up vote 3 down vote accepted

Basically, when your machine is plugged in, even turned off, some maintain some very basic functions such as the network card.

They can be configured so that when a special instruction is received, it can power up the machine.

The easiest way to start is simply, if you have an integrated NIC, look in the BIOS and see if it supports it. If you have an actual Network card, you may not be able to use it... But it is worth seeing if you have a slot for a Wake On Lan Chip or cable

Also, as for saving energy, you need to obviously turn on your device! You need to have a router that can turn on devices based on a schedule or a wireless mobile or similar that you can send the instruction from - obviously though, you may just be better off turning the machine on via its power button!

Wikipedia has a good article on Wake On Lan

Wake on LAN (WoL) support is implemented on the motherboard of a computer and the network interface, and as such, is not dependent on the operating system running on the hardware, although the operating system can sometimes control the WoL behaviour. If the network interface is a plug-in card rather than being integrated into the motherboard, the card may need to be connected to the motherboard by a cable. Motherboards with an embedded Ethernet controller which supports WoL do not need a cable.

link|improve this answer
feedback
up vote 2 down vote

Wake on lan will (probably) not work if your computer is behind a firewall. To get it to work you have to have open ports in the company's firewall to let the message through and send it towards your computer.

One way to get around this is if you have access to a computer behind your firewall that is always on and send your WOL-signal from that computer.

link|improve this answer
Good suggestion on how to get around it, by leaving one computer on and issue the WOL packet from there, as long they are on the same LAN or the switches allow it through. When done you can shut down your computer. The one computer left on can also be used for simple stuff like checking email or using the intranet. As for how it works, check the other links provided. When your NIC sees that magic packet with it's MAC address, it signals the PC to boot up. Magic packet reminds me of ramen noodles. – Bratch Nov 18 '11 at 0:08
feedback
up vote 1 down vote

Figured I'd like to try wake on LAN, but not sure where to start.

here's a nice tutorial for you:

How To: Wake on LAN / Wake on WAN

link|improve this answer
feedback

Your Answer

 
or
required, but never shown

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.