Remote LAN Wakeup

Remote LAN Wakeup capability is a key feature of a centrally managed PC environment. This technology allows networked PCs to be powered up and managed from a central location at any time. To utilize Remote LAN Wakeup, three elements are required:

Desktop management software that can send a “wake-up” packet to the PC.

A Wake-On-LAN enabled PC motherboard that can supply low-level auxiliary power to a network Adapter when the PC is powered off.

A Wake-On-LAN network Adapter that can recognize a wake-up packet and signal the PC to power up.

AWake-On-LAN enabled PC is never completely powered off. It maintains a low-level auxiliary power supply to the motherboard. The 3-wire Wake-On-LAN cable provides one line for the network Adapter auxiliary power and one line for the Adapter wake-up signal, the other line is ground. (If you have a PCI 2.1 slot, then you do not need the Wake-On-LAN cable). Even if the PC is powered off, the network Adapter is always active and monitoring the network. When a wake-up packet is detected, the Adapter signals the motherboard to power up the PC. With the PC powered on, maintenance and other support tasks can be performed.