Wake On LAN or WOL is an ethernet networking standard that allows for a remote computer to be woken up by a specially crafted network message or packet. It wasn’t long ago that the implementation and support of the feature by various BIOS and motherboard manufacturers was quite sketchy; like the time when Sleep and Hibernate functions of Windows would flake-out or crash the operating system when attempted. Over time, these problems were rectified, both on Sleep and WOL, as these types of things typically are.
Wake On LAN is infinitely helpful for system administrators or any other user that has to remotely manage or support a networked PC. Logically it’s awfully difficult to push out software updates or patches in mass if the computers aren’t accessible. The only other alternatives is to attempt these management tasks during the day while the users are working on the PC in question, or just implement policy to never power-down the computer. The drawbacks and pitfalls to either are obvious!
WakeMeOnLAN is a free utility from NirSoft that can be quite handy for system administrators alike. The software will scan the network for all devices that are currently connected – but not necessarily powered on. The gathered information can then be sorted by IP Address, MAC Address, Computer Name, or even the on or off State; all in a familiar list-view. At this point, assuming WOL is implemented and turned on in the computer BIOS, interactions with the PC can be done by highlighting the computer and pressing F8 to send the WOL packet. Within a few minutes the device should appear online and reachable on your network.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The only caveat being, the computer must be physically connected to the network – meaning it cannot be a wireless device. This is not a limitation on the software but rather the WiFi standard does not leverage the WOL feature.
