Wake on LAN (WOL) is a feature that enables a computer to be powered on remotely over a network. It allows IT Help Desk technicians to remotely access and troubleshoot computers that are turned off or in sleep mode. This can be incredibly useful for organizations that need to support a large number of computers.
To use Wake on LAN, the computer’s network card must support the feature and it needs to be enabled in the computer’s BIOS. Once enabled, the computer can be turned on remotely using a tool or application that sends a magic packet to the computer’s network card. The magic packet contains the MAC address of the target computer, which the network card recognizes and uses to power on the computer.
WOL is a powerful tool for IT Help Desk technicians because it allows them to provide support to users even when they are not physically present. For example, if a user is having trouble with their computer at home, the IT Help Desk technician can remotely power on the computer and troubleshoot the issue from their office.
WOL can also be used for energy management, as it allows computers to be powered off when they are not needed and turned on when they are needed. This can save organizations a significant amount of money on energy costs.
In summary, Wake on LAN is a valuable tool for IT Help Desk technicians as it allows them to remotely access and troubleshoot computers, even when they are turned off or in sleep mode. It also provides an energy-efficient solution for managing computers within an organization.