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How to switch the computer on remotely using the WOL (Wake On LAN) feature

Help | How to switch the computer on remotely using the WOL (Wake On LAN) feature

Using an network adapter supporting the WOL (Wake On LAN) feature it is possible to switch a computer on remotely.
The remote computer is switched on by sending so-called Magic packet to the remote computer.
The following conditions must be met to receive the packet:

  1. The network adapter must support the WOL (Wake On LAN) feature. If it is not an integrated adapter on motherboard it must be connected with the motherboard using a cable. The WOL (Wake On LAN) must be enabled in BIOS.
  2. The power source of the computer must be live so that the motherboard and the network adapter are powered in order to receive the Magic packet and the following switching the computer on
  3. If you will start the computer through public Internet, the remote computer or router must have a fixed public IP address or can have a dynamic one if it has the DNS record. Within the Intranet or local network broadcasting on UDP ports 7, 9 or 5555 must not be forbidden.
  4. If the remote computer is connected through router, it is necessary to redirect the communication NAT (Network Address Translation, Port Forwarding, Virtual Server) on UDP ports 7, 9 or 5555 to the broadcast address of the inner network or MAC address of the remote computer.
    The broadcast address is found in the router settings or in RAC Client in the dialog Switching the Computer on Remotely Using the WOL (Wake on LAN) Feature after entering the local IP address and network mask.
    Primarily this will be an address with the suffix of 255,
    e.g. if you have a network of 192.168.1.1 - 255 (network mask 255.255.255.0),
    the broadcast address will be 192.168.1.255.
    Some routers do not allow directing to the broadcast address or MAC address;
    here you could use the redirection to an IP address under the condition
    that for the given IP address the router has a permanently assigned MAC address in the ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) table.
    With some routers you may use sending of the Magic packet through the web interface.


What do you need to know after switching the remote computer on (sending the Magic packet).

  1. The physical address, the so-called MAC address of the remote computer.
    The MAC address is automatically transferred from the remote computer when connecting
    to the RAC service from RAC protocol version 1.15.23, namely that it is necessary to install the version 2.05 of RAC Client and RAC Server.
    The MAC address can be learnt:
    1. on the remote computer:
      1. after starting the RAC Server in the dialog Communication Information in the Tools menu
      2. using the command ipconfig /all or getmac
    2. if the remote computer is on:
      1. in RAC Client using the tool: DNS, IP, NetBios and MAC information in the Tools menu
      2. using the command ipconfig /all or getmac in RAC Client using the service Command Prompt
  2. The IP address of the remote computer or router if it is not the local network.
  3. Subnetwork mask if it is not the local network.
    The subnetwork mask can be found:
    1. on remote computer:
      1. In the properties of Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> Network Connections
      2. using the command ipconfig
    2. if the remote computer on:
      1. using the command ipconfig in RAC Client using the service Command Prompt


If you have the necessary information, enter MAC Address, select the Type of Network and add the IP Address and Subnet Mask
in the dialog Switching the Computer on Remotely Using the WOL (Wake on LAN) Feature in the menu Connect/Start.
Using the buttons Send or Send Through Internet switch the computer on.

The Send Through Internet button is to be used in case that you access the remote computer through HTTP tunnel
or if the Magic packet cannot be sent from your network; the Magic packet is sent through our website.

Recommendation:
If you switch a computer on using a router, test the functionality of WOL in the local network first.

When purchasing a router, network card or motherboard make sure first that the device supports WOL conditions.
Most of the network adapters and motherboards support WOL, however it can be different with the router.

If you do not have the option to switch the computer on using WOL, WiFi relay, WiFi socket, the GSM relay or etc. technology can be used.