Wake-on-LAN for Computer Clubs

Wake-on-LAN for Computer Clubs

Wake-on-LAN (WOL) is a technology that powers on a shut-down computer by sending it a magic packet over the network. The packet contains the target machine’s MAC address repeated 16 times. The PC’s network adapter listens for this signature even while off (as long as standby power is present), and on a match signals the motherboard to boot normally.

For a computer club this means an administrator can power on an entire hall remotely — without walking to each machine. IZI uses WOL as part of Devices management: machines can come on automatically before opening time or at first booking, with no staff involvement. Each PC needs a static IP or a DHCP reservation by MAC for commands to reach the right machine — see Club network setup for the recommended configuration.

How the magic packet works

A magic packet is a 102-byte UDP datagram (typically port 9): 6 bytes of 0xFF as a synchronisation header, followed by the target adapter’s 48-bit MAC address repeated 16 times. It is broadcast to 255.255.255.255 or the subnet’s directed broadcast address. The packet travels only within one L2 segment — broadcast UDP does not cross subnet boundaries without explicit directed-broadcast configuration.

What to configure on each PC

WOL must be enabled in two places on every gaming PC:

1. BIOS/UEFI — Power Management section: enable Wake-on-LAN, Power On By PCI-E, or Resume By LAN (label varies by motherboard).
2. Windows Device Manager — adapter properties → Power Management → “Allow this device to wake the computer”. Also enable “Only allow a magic packet” to prevent false wakeups from random broadcast traffic.

Edge case: Windows Fast Startup can prevent WOL after a full shutdown (the PC enters hybrid sleep instead of S5). If WOL does not trigger after shutdown, disable Fast Startup in Control Panel → Power Options.

WOL and IZI

IZI uses Wake-on-LAN for three practical scenarios:

• Schedule-based power-on — machines come up before opening so they finish booting before first guests arrive.
• Booking-triggered power-on — a PC powers on automatically when a client books it through the app, not hours earlier.
• Remote control from the CRM — administrators send power-on commands from PC Monitoring without leaving the desk.

WOL is configured once during initial PC setup. After that, all power management runs through the IZI interface.

Related

• Club network setup — static IPs, VLANs, infrastructure requirements.
• Devices — how IZI CRM sees and manages club equipment.
• VLAN — how virtual networks affect WOL broadcast traffic.
• PC Monitoring — real-time status and remote control for each machine.