What Is A Wake-On-LAN?

Date First Published: 3rd May 2022

Topic: Computer Networking

Subtopic: Network Setups

Article Type: Computer Terms & Definitions

Difficulty: Medium

Difficulty Level: 6/10

CONTENTS

How Does Wake-On LAN Work?
History

Learn more about what a wake-on-LAN is in this article.

A wake-on-LAN, also known as a power on by LAN, resume on LAN, resume by LAN, or WoL, is a technology that allows a computer to be remotely turned on or woken up from sleep or hibernation. It can be used in Ethernet or Token Ring networks and it eliminates the need for computers to be manually visited in order for them to be turned on, whether they are completely powered off or in sleep or hibernation.

Note:

A computer being remotely turned on that is communicating by Wi-Fi must use an additional standard, called Wake on Wireless LAN, often abbreviated to WoWLAN.

How Does A Wake-On LAN Work?

Wake-up frames or data packets are from a server to a computer. Then, the wake-on-LAN network adapter that is installed in the computer receives the wake-up frame or packet and it turns on. The powered-off, sleeping, or hibernating computer is looking for a special data packet sent to the entire network that contains its MAC address. In order for wake-on-LAN technology to be used, three things are required, which are:

A wake-on-LAN enabled motherboard. It is necessary for the motherboard to have a CMOS that is designed to use wake-on-LAN technology.
A wake-on-LAN network adapter. This monitors the network that is looking for wake-up frames and decodes the wake-up frame for the purpose of determining whether it is a wake-up. In the event of a MAC address being repeated 16 times with no interruptions, it is a wake-up frame.
Remote management software that sends the wake-up frames and allows the Wake-on-LAN technology to be disabled.

Note:

A frame is a unit of data that helps identify data packets that are used in networking and telecommunications.