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Wake-on-LAN (WoL) is a particular function that allows a computer or workstation to be powered up from a low-power state by a message from another part of a local area network. Companies and other entities may use Wake-on-LAN to conserve power in networked computing.
Techopedia Explains Wake-On-LAN
Using Wake-on-LAN, administrators can provide for computers to be working remotely through Ethernet or wireless cards. The Wake-on-LAN signal can come from a computer or device on the same LAN or from somewhere on a different network, through subnet directed broadcasts or through a Wake-on-LAN Gateway service.
In Wake-on-LAN, a sleeping computer is looking for a ‘magic packet’ sent to the entire network with its particular MAC address contained. This will provide the signal for that computer to essentially boot itself up from a sleeping or hibernating state. Developers can use BIOS to enable Wake-on-LAN.
