Editing Wake-on-LAN (section)

==Software requirements==
{{how-to|section|date=May 2021}}
Software that sends a WoL magic packet is referred to in different circles as ''client'' or ''server'', which can be a source of confusion.  While WoL hardware or firmware is arguably performing the role of a ''server'', Web-based interfaces that act as a gateway through which users can issue WoL packets without downloading a local client often become known as "The Wake On LAN Server" to users.  Additionally, software that administers WoL capabilities from the host OS side may be carelessly referred to as a ''client'' on occasion; Machines running WoL generally tend to be end-user desktops, and as such, are ''clients'' in IT parlance.

===Creating and sending the magic packet===
Software to send WoL magic packets is available for all modern platforms, including [[Windows]], Macintosh and Linux, plus many [[smartphone]]s. Examples include: Wake On LAN GUI, LAN Helper, Magic Packet Utility, NetWaker for Windows, Nirsoft WakeMeOnLAN, WakeOnLANx, EMCO WOL, Aquila Tech Wake on LAN, ManageEngine WOL utility, FusionFenix and SolarWinds WOL Tool.<ref>{{cite web|last1=p|first1=Jessica|title=Wake On Lan Tools|url=http://www.pcwdld.com/free-wake-on-lan-tools|website=PCWDLD.com|date=16 August 2016|access-date=9 September 2016}}</ref>

===Ensuring the magic packet travels from source to destination===
If the sender is on the same subnet or local area network as the computer to be awakened there are generally no issues. When sending over the Internet, and in particular where a [[network address translation]] (NAT) router is involved (as typically in most homes), special settings are often necessary.

Further, the WoL protocol operates on a deeper level in the multi-layer networking architecture. To ensure the magic packet gets from source to destination while the destination is sleeping, the [[Address Resolution Protocol|ARP]] binding must typically be set in a NAT router. This allows the router to forward the magic packet to the sleeping computer at a networking layer below typical IP usage. There are some security implications associated with ARP binding (see [[ARP spoofing]]); however, as long as none of the computers connected to the LAN are compromised, an attacker must use a computer that is connected directly to the target LAN (plugged into the LAN via cable, or by breaking through the Wi‑Fi connection security) to gain access to the LAN.

Most home routers are able to send magic packets to a LAN; for example, routers with the [[DD-WRT]], [[Tomato firmware|Tomato]] or [[PfSense]] firmware have a built-in Wake-on-LAN client.

===Responding to the magic packet===

Most WoL hardware functionally is typically blocked by default and needs to be enabled using the system BIOS/UEFI setup. Further configuration from the OS is required in some cases, for example via the [[Device Manager]] network card properties on Windows operating systems.

====Microsoft Windows====

Newer versions of Microsoft Windows integrate WoL functionality into the [[Device Manager]]. This is available in the power management tab of each network device's driver properties. For full support of a device's WoL capabilities (such as the ability to wake from an ACPI S5 power-off state), installation of the full driver suite from the network device manufacturer may be necessary, rather than the bare driver provided by Microsoft or the computer manufacturer. In most cases{{citation needed|date=March 2013}} correct BIOS/UEFI configuration is also required for WoL to function.

The ability to wake from [[hybrid sleep]] is not officially supported in Windows.<ref name="wolinwin">{{cite web |url= https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2776718 |title='Wake on LAN' (WOL) behavior in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 |work=Microsoft |year=2015 |access-date=28 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160101213021/https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2776718 |archive-date=1 January 2016 |url-status=deviated}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/troubleshoot/windows-client/setup-upgrade-and-drivers/wake-on-lan-feature |title=Wake on LAN (WOL) behavior in Windows 10 |date=19 February 2024}}</ref><ref name="systempowerstates">{{cite web |url=https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/win32/power/system-power-states |title=System Power States |work=Microsoft |date=30 March 2023 |access-date=25 December 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://support.hpe.com/hpsc/doc/public/display?docId=emr_na-c03774694|title=HP Support document |work=Hewlett-Packard Support Center |access-date=4 January 2018}}</ref> This is because of a change in the OS behavior which causes network adapters to be explicitly not armed for WoL when shutdown to these states occurs, so that those adapters don't consume power in what appears to the user to be a shutdown state, even though the system is just [[Hibernation (computing)|hibernating]]. WoL from a non-hybrid hibernation state when a user explicitly requests hibernation or a sleep state is supported. However, some hardware will enable WoL from states that are unsupported by Windows.<ref name="wolinwin" /><ref name="systempowerstates" />

====Mac hardware and macOS====

Modern Mac hardware supports WoL functionality when the computer is in a sleep state, but it is not possible to wake up a Mac computer from a powered-off state.

[[Mac OS X Snow Leopard]] and later support WoL, which is called Wake on Demand. On laptops, the feature is controlled via the macOS System Settings Battery panel, in the Options pop-up window. The ''Wake for network access'' item can be set to "Always", "Only on Power Adapter", or "Never"; "Always" enables Wake-on-LAN even when on battery power, but "Only on Power Adapter" enables it only when connected to a power supply. On desktops, the feature is controlled via the System Settings Energy Saver panel. Marking the ''Wake for network access'' checkbox enables Wake-on-LAN.<ref name="share-mac-resources">{{cite web |url=https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/share-your-mac-resources-when-its-in-sleep-mh27905/mac |title=Share your Mac resources when it's in sleep |website=Apple Support}}</ref> It can also be configured through the terminal using the ''pmset womp'' (wake on magic packet) command.
	
The [[Apple Remote Desktop]] client management system can be used to send Wake-on-LAN packets,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://support.apple.com/guide/remote-desktop/sleep-shut-down-log-out-or-restart-a-computer-apd5535ee19/mac |title=Sleep, shut down, log out, or restart a computer with Remote Desktop |website=Apple Support}}</ref> but there are also freeware and shareware macOS applications available.  A mechanism called [[Bonjour Sleep Proxy]], provided by Apple AirPort access points and Apple TVs, allows other machines on a LAN to cause a WoL packet to be sent to a host when that machine accesses one of the host's shared resources.<!--[[User:Kvng/RTH]]-->

====Linux====

Wake-on-LAN support may be changed using a subfunction of the [[ethtool]] command, for example:

<syntaxhighlight lang="shell">
ethtool -s eth0 wol g
</syntaxhighlight>