Need to reach a computer at home or at work, but it is turned off? You do not need someone to go turn it on for you. Wake-on-LAN serves this purpose. Let us explain what it is, how it works and when it is useful.

What Wake-on-LAN is

Wake-on-LAN (WoL for short) is a feature that lets you turn on a computer remotely over the network. The computer looks turned off, but its network card stays on standby and listens. When it receives a special “wake” message, the computer turns on.

This wake message is called a magic packet. It is a small network packet addressed to a specific computer that wakes it up.

How it works

  1. The computer has Wake-on-LAN enabled in the BIOS and the network card.
  2. Even when off, the network card is powered and waits for a signal.
  3. From another device (phone, laptop) you send a magic packet.
  4. The computer turns on as if you had pressed the button.

Within one network this is straightforward. To turn it on over the internet from afar, additional setup is needed, most securely via VPN, or via port forwarding.

What to set up

  • Enable WoL in the computer’s BIOS.
  • Enable WoL in the network card settings in the operating system.
  • A cable connection is more reliable. Over WiFi, WoL works only in a limited way.
  • An app or router that can send the magic packet.

It sounds like a few steps, but the details vary by hardware and it is often easier to have it set up for you.

Where Wake-on-LAN is worth it

  • Working from home. You turn on your work computer in the office and connect to it.
  • A home server or NAS that need not run all the time and you turn on only when you need it, saving energy.
  • Remote management and service. A technician wakes the computer, does maintenance and puts it back to sleep.
  • Access to files you have only on your home computer.

Advantages

  • Energy saving. The computer need not run nonstop, you turn it on only when needed.
  • Convenience. Access to the device even when you are elsewhere.
  • No other person. You do not need anyone to physically turn the computer on for you.

Security at the end

When turning on over the internet, think about security. Do not open ports to the internet unnecessarily, rather use a VPN. This also relates to securing the router.

Want to remotely turn on and manage computers or a server without unnecessary risk? Get in touch, we will set up Wake-on-LAN and secure remote access.