Many PCs and servers come with the ability to perform Wake-on-LAN (WoL) boots. IT pro Rick Vanover shows how to perform the magic packet boot. Using wake on LAN technologies is frequently reserved for systems management software, but it is handy to know how to do the command. Remember that most manufacturers offer PDF versions of documentation online.Using Magic Packet Utility to send wake on LAN commands If you’re having trouble, check your computer or motherboard’s manual or do a quick Google search. The point is, it isn’t always easy or obvious to find the relevant option, since BIOS menu systems vary so widely. Some aren’t so obvious: on my ASUS motherboard (below), the Wake on LAN option is buried two layers deep in the menu system, under “Power on by PCIE/PCI”, because the built-in network controller is behind the PCI controller-it’s only visible that this is the right option in the description text. On this HP computer’s BIOS, the setting is found near the “resume after power failure” option. To enter the BIOS, you’ll need to press a key as you boot your computer-usually Delete, Escape, F2, or something else (your boot screen will give you instructions on what key to press to enter setup). Once you’re in, check under Power Management or Advanced Options or something of that sort. Most older computers and many modern ones have their Wake-on-LAN settings buried in the BIOS. RELATED: What Does a PC's BIOS Do, and When Should I Use It? To get started using Wake-on-LAN, you’ll have to enable it in a few places-usually your BIOS and from within Windows. Many motherboard manufacturers often implement software along with Wake-on-LAN capabilities to offer hassle-free or largely configuration-free usage scenarios. On a secure network, or for basic home use, there shouldn’t be any practical reason to worry. The above image shows the results of a packet sniffer tool used on magic packet, which brings into question exactly how secure they are when used in unsafe networks and over the internet. Magic packets are usually sent over the entirety of a network and contain the subnet information, network broadcast address, and the MAC address of the target computer’s network card, whether Ethernet or wireless. Because your computer is actively listening for a packet, some power is feeding your network card which will result in your laptop’s battery draining faster, so road warriors should take care to turn this off when you need to eke out some extra juice. The typical ports used for WoL magic packets are UDP 7 and 9. These magic packets are sent out by professional software made for any platform, but can also be sent by routers and internet-based websites. ![]() Wake-on-LAN-enabled computers essentially wait for a “magic packet” to arrive that includes the network card’s MAC address in it. Support for Wake-on-LAN is pretty universal nowadays, even when it’s not advertised as a feature, so if you have a computer built in the past decade or so, you’re covered. Because it is set either through the BIOS or through your network card’s firmware, you don’t need specific software to enable it. Your Ethernet or wireless card must also support this functionality. Your motherboard must be hooked up to an ATX-compatible power supply, as most computers in the past decade or so are. Wake-on-LAN is dependent on two things: your motherboard and your network card. Anyone who uses a program like VNC or TeamViewer, or keeps a file server or game server program available, should probably have the option enabled for the sake of convenience. This is useful if you plan to access your computer remotely for any reason: it allows you to retain access to your files and programs, while keeping the PC in a low-power state to save electricity (and of course, money). ![]() The protocol also allows for a supplementary Wake-on-Wireless-LAN ability as well. The definition of “low power mode” has changed a bit over time, but we can take it to meanwhile the computer is “off” and has access to a power source. Wake-on-LAN (sometimes abbreviated WoL) is an industry-standard protocol for waking computers up from a very low power mode remotely. RELATED: How to Enable Wake-on-LAN in Windows 10 and 11 What Is Wake-on-LAN? Here’s how to enable Wake-on-LAN in Windows 11 and 10. Update, 11/18/21: Wake-on-LAN might be an old-school trick for turning on computers remotely, but it still works. Wake-on-LAN (WoL) has been around for a while, so let’s see how it works and how we can enable it. Technology often yields ridiculous conveniences, like being able to turn on your computer from miles away without pushing the power button.
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