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Wake a computer over the network (Wake-on-LAN)

Send a magic packet to a sleeping machine's MAC address to power it on remotely.

Linuxnetworkwake-on-lanlanLow risk
From another machine on the same LAN run wakeonlan AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF using the target's MAC address.

01Command

Command
$ wakeonlan AA:BB:CC:DD:EE:FF

02What it does

Wake-on-LAN works by broadcasting a 'magic packet' containing the sleeping computer's MAC address; its network card stays half-awake and triggers power-on. On the target machine WOL must be enabled in BIOS/UEFI, and NetworkManager users can persist it with nmcli con mod 'wired' 802-3-ethernet.wake-on-lan magic. This is ideal for starting a home server or desktop before you arrive.

03Risk

RiskLow risk
Requirementswakeonlan (or etherwake) installed: sudo apt install wakeonlan; target computer's BIOS and NIC must have WOL enabled
!Warning: Magic packets normally don't cross routers, so this works only within the same LAN unless you forward a port or use a VPN; the packet is unauthenticated — anyone on the LAN who knows the MAC can wake the machine.

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

  • Wake-on-LAN — Arch Wiki
    Arch Linux · community · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: Sending a magic packet to the target's MAC address (with wakeonlan or etherwake) powers the machine on, provided WOL is enabled in BIOS and NIC.
  • nmcli(1) — Ubuntu manual page
    Ubuntu · community · 2026-09-17
    Evidence: The 802-3-ethernet.wake-on-lan property controls whether NetworkManager enables Wake-on-LAN on a wired connection.

Last verified: 2026-09-18 · Category: Network

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