What exactly is a Wake-on-LAN tool?
A Wake-on-LAN (WoL) tool is a tool that turns the computer on remotely through a signal over the local area network. As long as a machine is accessible from the LAN, it can be turned on through the use of what is called a magic packet.
This packet communicates directly with the motherboard of the machines and sends a power-on command to the device, as long as the machine is configured to do so in BIOS. As you can imagine as more people work remotely from home, this has a wide array of applications.
Here’s our list of the best WoL Tools:
- SolarWinds Wake-on-LAN (FREE TOOL) Ideal for networks who want to enable WoL at scale across a medium to large-sized organization.
- ManageEngine OpUtils (FREE TRIAL) A suite of network tools including a utility for remote troubleshooting that comes with a WoL option. Start a 30-day free trial.
- ManageEngine Remote Access Plus (FREE TRIAL) This package provides remote access with Wake-on-LAN and remote desktop and remote control options. Runs on Windows Server or you can get it as a SaaS platform. Start a 30-day free trial.
- NirSoft WakeMeOnLAN Work to scan the network to find machines that have WoL already enabled. Good for small-scale quick audits.
- Wake-on-LAN X Great for single use, but also has the ability to batch and schedule reboots.
- Aquila Wake-on-LAN Comes with an intuitive interface and allows for simple WoL commands via MAC address.
How is Wake-on-LAN useful?
WoL can help tech support teams access workstations remotely to perform routine maintenance or close-out tickets after hours. A common problem among tech support staff is that users will power down their computers at the end of the day and go home. This of course prevents any after-hours work from getting done and keeps tickets open longer. With a Wake-on-LAN tool, support staff can send a request to that machine to power it back on.
WoL can also be used for physical hosts running virtual machines as well. In the event of a power failure or brownout, connection can still be restored via a Wake-on-LAN command. While many server hosts have dedicated RMM built into the NIC, WoL is still a good option to keep just in case.
What do I need to do to use a Wake-on-LAN?
The beauty with WoL is that it’s simple. As long as the PCs have WoL enabled in their BIOS, a magic packet signal will turn them back on or wake them up. The magic packet signal itself is very small, containing only about 100 bytes of information that specify the target IP address, port, and raw data.
All motherboards will have their own unique BIOS settings, but normally WoL can be found under the Advanced tab in BIOs, or under Networking.
The second trick is to make sure the computer’s NIC is configured to receive the packet. This can be done under Device Manager by right-clicking on the Network Adapter and selecting Properties.
Under the Advanced Tab choose the “Wake on Magic Packet” from the list and switch the value to enabled. In the same window under the Power Management tab, make sure all that “Allow magic packet to wake the computer” and “Allow this device to wake the computer” is checked.
If you’re looking to make all PCs WoL compatible, you can use OS images with this already enabled, or create a group policy to enable these settings throughout your network. Note that the BIOS changes will need to be done manually, per PC.
Best WoL Tools
Below is an overview of a few of the best Wake-on-LAN tools you can use to wake up machines remotely.
Our methodology for selecting Wake-on-LAN (WoL) tools
We’ve broken down our analysis for you based on these key criteria:
- Reliability and effectiveness in waking up machines remotely.
- Integration capabilities with other network management tools.
- User interface design for ease of use and efficiency.
- Compatibility with various operating systems and network configurations.
- Additional features like scripting automation for advanced users.
1. SolarWinds Wake-on-LAN (FREE TOOL)
SolarWinds WoL is a suite of tools for sysadmins, technicians, and network engineers that contains over a dozen tools that are designed to make tech work easier. In that kit is a super intuitive WoL tool that stands out for doing exactly what you need to, and nothing you don’t.
Key Features:
- Part of the Engineer’s Toolset
- Simple tool
- Coordinates with other tools
- Wake from sleep mode or totally off
- Runs on Windows Server
A clean interface allows you to choose a PC to send the magic packet to, and then sends that signal out in multiple intervals, ensuring that the WoL signal is received. This is great for larger congested corporate LANs, and NICs that may have connectivity issues. If you have the need, the tool can also be integrated into scripting automation, that can fire off WoL packets if a certain condition is met.
Pros:
- Part of a suite of 60 tools
- Use this tool just to turn on a computer
- Switch to a different tool for remote access
- Reboot and shutdown utilities also available
- Turn on any computer on the network
Cons:
- On turns a computer on, doesn’t include an access console
SolarWinds WoL balances ease of use with a slick UI that just gets the job done, no matter what size network you deploy it on. If you’re not in the market for the full toolset, you can purchase SolarWinds WoL on it’s own. You can test out all the tools in the Engineer Toolset through a 14-day free trial.
EDITOR'S CHOICE
SolarWinds Wake-on-LAN, part of the Engineer’s Toolset, is our top choice for WoL tools due to its intuitive functionality and robust feature set. It excels in reliably waking up computers on a network, including those in sleep mode or completely turned off, which is particularly useful for large, congested corporate LANs. Its clean interface simplifies the process, and the ability to send multiple WoL signals ensures successful activation.
Its integration with scripting automation offers advanced users more control, and being part of a suite of over 60 tools provides versatility for various network management tasks. This tool runs on Windows Server and can effectively reboot and shut down utilities, making it an indispensable tool for sysadmins, technicians, and network engineers.
Download: Download a 14-Day Free Trial
Official Site: https://www.solarwinds.com/engineers-toolset/use-cases/wake-on-lan
OS: Windows Server
2. ManageEngine OpUtils (FREE TRIAL)
The ManageEngine OpUtils is a collection of tools that help administrators map out networks, discover new devices, monitor IP address assignments, and of course, send Wake-on-LAN commands.
OpUtils is a network discovery tool that elegantly includes a WoL solution. This is a great tool to throw in your tool bag when troubleshooting devices outside your network, or tracking down machines who may have lost their IPs, or gone offline due to sleep settings.
Key Features:
- Manual and scheduled bootup
- IP address scanning
- Port scanning
Very rarely does a multi-purpose tool excel at just one thing, but OpUtils is an exception. The software has one of the best interfaces on this list, and allows you to send out magic packets for WoL to either groups, individual machines, or the entire network.
Every time a machine is queried with a WoL command, that action is recorded for auditing to help the admin get a better understanding of why or why not WoL is working. On top of that, magic packets can be scheduled to get sent out across the network. This is ideal for environments that still want to enforce a PC sleep setting, but struggle to connect during after-hour maintenance windows.
The dashboard lets you view exactly which machines have WoL enabled, and which ones failed when sending the packet. This is great for larger networks and gives you the option to export results so you can create a separate ticket to investigate the issue.
Pros:
- Wake up a single computer or many with one command
- Device grouping
- Unifies with an IP scan
Cons:
- No SaaS option
The ManageEngine OpUtils is a package installation and runs off of a lightweight Linux or Windows-based server. You can test out the toolset free through a 30-day trial.
3. ManageEngine Remote Access Plus (FREE TRIAL)
ManageEngine Remote Access Plus provides a range of access options, such as unattended access for maintenance and remote desktop functions for attended access. It is also possible to implement remote control so the technician’s module and keyboard act on the remote device while the user watches.
Key Features:
- Remote operating system access
- Remote desktop
- Remote control
- Wake-on-LAN, reboot, and shutdown
The Wake-on-LAN function is more usually associated with the straightforward remote access service for maintenance of remote computers running Windows, macOS, and Linux. However, the WOL is also available to lead into remote desktop services when technicians want to troubleshoot a remote computer from the front end.
The Remote Access Plus system has an integrated library of system troubleshooting and maintenance tools and it is also possible to create scripts to perform routine tasks on remote devices, such as temporary file directory clear out and system scanning.
Features of the remote desktop and remote control functions include text, voice, and video chat panels for communication with the attending user.
Pros:
- Pick a computer from a list and send it a magic packet
- Start up any computer on your network
- Runs on Windows Server
- SaaS option available
Cons:
- Needs a license to cover all team members
Remote Access Plus is available for installation on Windows Server or as a SaaS platform. It can give access to computers running Windows, macOS, or Linux and it has a remote desktop utility with remote control. You get all of those functions with the Free edition, but you can only manage 10 computers with that. The Standard edition is suitable for access to more computers and the Professional edition adds on administration tools. You can get the top plan on a 30-day free trial.
4. NirSoft WakeMeOnLAN
NirSoft is known for its collection of excellent free software, and WakeMeOnLAN is no exception. Through an extremely low-footprint installation, the NirSoft package can scan particular parts of the network to discover new devices, much like how LanSweeper works.
Key Features:
- Lightweight tool
- Operates with IP address or MAC address
- Commands line option
Once machines are identified their corresponding IP, hostname, MAC, and status will become visible in the search results along with their power status. Through a simple click of a button, any selected machines will be sent WoL packets, and those machines will power on if configured to do so.
Pros:
- Part of a suite of free system management tools
- Launches from an IP sweep that lists all devices on the network
- One-click action
Cons:
- You need to look to other tools for remote access
What’s great about WakeMeOnLAN is that the entire tool can be run and executed from a command-line interface, making it a fan among CLI lovers and older network environments. The tool is completely free but lacks a decent interface for larger network environments and heavy users.
5. Wake-on-LAN X
Wake-on-LAN X is a flexible standalone tool that allows admins to power on and off machines, as well as group them into batches. The software offers a lightweight GUI as well as the option to run WoL commands directly from a CLI.
Key Features:
- Free to use
- Integrated Ping
- Also shutdown
The tool goes beyond most WoL tools by adding additional features that help give admins context into the network. These can be great walk-ins where you’re not completely familiar with the environment. For example, Wake-on-LAN X can report exactly when the PC was last started, as well as how much disk space is free on the target drive. It can also peer into what services it has running.
Pros:
- Launch off a list of devices discovered by a Ping utility
- Wake up one or many computers with one command
- Reboot each computer and shut down one or all
Cons:
- No remote access console
While most remote management systems can do all of this, Wake-on-LAN X is impressive because it is so portable. There’s no need to have a monitoring service or server in place to gather this information. The tool can be a bit clunky to use, but you really can’t complain too much considering it’s completely free.
6. Aquila Wake-on-LAN
The Aquila Wake-on-LAN tool is a versatile program that gives technicians a few different options for waking up machines, as well as discovering devices and IP addresses on the network.
Key Features:
- Free tool
- Runs on Windows and Windows Server
- GUI window
Just like Wake-On-LAN X, Aquilla can operate both via the GUI and a CLI, making it flexible and great for lower-end machines. WoL packets can be sent in batches, individually, or manually set from the command line.
In addition to Wake-on-LAN, you can view each discovered machine’s IP address, MAC address, and FQDN. From here you’re able to run basic remote diagnostics such as sending ping commands to the machines or initiating a remote desktop connection.
Pros:
- Option to wake up one or many computers
- Create a device group
- Shutdown Windows
Cons:
- Needs to be populated with device details manually
Aquila is free software and available for any modern Windows machine.
7. EMCO WakeOnLAN
EMCO is a robust monitoring and network discovery tool that can be used to perform reconnaissance in new environments as well as monitor established environments. Wake-on-LAN is just one of the many features the platform offers.
Key Features:
- Built for larger networks.
- Flexible device detection: NetBIOS, WMI, WinAPI.
- Scheduling for magic packets.
- Monitoring and alerting services.
The EMCO tool was built with larger networks in mind, and while that might be the case the interface still can feel cluttered especially when pulling in hundreds of new devices. With that said, it’s still an excellent tool that can detect devices through either NetBIOS, WMI, or WinAPI, making it incredibly flexible in its deployment.
Focusing on the WoL feature, admins can send magic packets out individually, all at once, or on a schedule. This is a great option if you for instance discover that a machine has a worm or malware after hours at a remote location.
The schedule is handy for ensuring that PCs are on and connected to the network during maintenance windows, and helps avoid sending out the same email request to users to keep their computers turned on.
This tool further extends its scope by offering additional monitoring and alerting services that can send alerts to technicians via email. While this isn’t the most proficient way to monitor machines, the fact that this lightweight software has options impresses nonetheless.
Pros:
- Effective for large network environments.
- Individual, batch, or scheduled WoL capabilities.
- Includes additional monitoring and alerting.
Cons:
- Interface can feel cluttered in large deployments.
EMCO is available both as a free and paid tool, with WoL being available in both versions.
8. FusionFenix
This is definitely one of the older WoL solutions still on the market, but considering it’s free and it works, it still gets an honorable mention on this list. FusionFenix does one thing, and that’s send a magic packet to an individual PC. Some see this limitation as simplicity, and if the only thing you want to do is send a single magic packet, FusionFenix has you covered.
Key Features:
- Simplistic, single-function WoL tool.
- Requires IP address for target machine.
- Accompanied by a handy Android app.
Unlike the other scanners, you must know the IP address of the target machine, so it can pull the MAC address. Simply input the IP address, enter the password if needed, and click “Turn on PC.” It’s that simple.
The tool has a handy Android app as well, which might come in handy to turn on individual machines. Due to its limitations, it would not be ideal for a business environment but would be sufficient enough for a small workgroup or home-based WoL needs.
Pros:
- Straightforward and easy to use.
- Suitable for sending a single magic packet.
- Android app adds convenience for remote use.
Cons:
- Limited functionality; not ideal for business environments.
What’s the best Wake-on-LAN tool for you?
While we usually dedicate this space to list out multiple tools for different situations, this list has one clear winner. SolarWinds Wake-on-LAN is an excellent WoL tool that not only provides Wake-on-LAN commands but allows you to easily scale your WoL deployment if it was a part of your routine workflow.
With it being part of the Engineers Toolset you get a plethora of networking monitoring and troubleshooting tools to help flush out your virtual toolkit when you’re at work or on the road. For those who don’t want the tools set, they can opt to purchase the standalone version as well.
Do you ever use Wake-on-LAN in your network? If so, what do you mostly use it for? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.
