Good to know: What is Wake on LAN?

As the name suggests, "Wake on LAN" (WOL for short) describes a standard for starting a PC via the built-in network card, i.e. switching it on. This can be done via the local network, but WOL also offers the option - and here we come to the big advantage - of switching on the computer via the Internet.

What are the requirements for Wake on LAN?

The prerequisite for Wake on LAN is that both the mainboard and the network card support the WOL standard. In addition, ACPI or at least the predecessor APM must be activated in the BIOS and a reasonably up-to-date version of Windows, Linux or Mac OS should be running on the PC. Wake on LAN can be used to wake a computer from the idle states S3 (Standby/STR), S4 (Hibernation/STD) and S5 (Soft-Off) (we have explained the different modes in more detail in our article on ACPI). However, it is important that the network card is permanently supplied with power via a standby power branch of the power supply unit - even when the PC is switched off. The computer must also be connected to the router via a network cable. Good to know: What is ACPI?

How does switching on via Wake on LAN work?

Switching on is done via a so-called "Magic Package", which is sent to the network card. It contains the hexadecimal value FF six times in succession, followed by the MAC address of the network card, which is repeated sixteen times without a pause. This Magic Package can be sent from another computer in the network. If you are not on site and want to switch on a PC via the Internet, you can use another PC, a smartphone or even a NAS. Detailed instructions on how to configure a computer for Wake on LAN can be found at PC-Welt.