Wake Devices Remotely Using Home Assistant and Wake On LAN | WOL

Summary

This video tutorial demonstrates how to remotely wake up devices using Home Assistant's Wake On Lan (WOL) feature. It covers checking device compatibility, enabling WOL if disabled, and obtaining the MAC address. The presenter also offers a free PDF with detailed instructions and interactive activities for practice. After explaining the prerequisites, the video guides viewers through setting up WOL in Home Assistant, adding devices, and testing the remote wake-up functionality with a live demonstration.

Takeaways

• 🔄 **Wake On Lan (WOL)**: The script introduces the Wake On Lan function, which allows devices to be remotely woken from sleep or shutdown mode via a 'magic packet' sent over the local network.
• 🏠 **Home Automation Integration**: WOL can be integrated into home automation systems, making it convenient to control devices remotely through platforms like Home Assistant.
• 💾 **Device Support**: Most modern devices produced in the last 10-15 years support WOL, but it's essential to verify this feature with the device's manufacturer or manual.
• 🔧 **Enabling WOL**: If WOL is supported but disabled, it can often be enabled through the device's BIOS, which may be accessed via keys like Del, F12, or F1 during startup.
• 🆔 **MAC Address Requirement**: To use WOL, you need the MAC address of the device's network card, which can be found in network settings or the router's web interface.
• 📄 **Companion PDF**: A detailed PDF is available for download, offering more information and interactive activities to practice and remember the WOL process.
• 📧 **Subscription Offer**: By downloading the PDF, users join a mailing list to receive weekly articles, news, updates, and offers, with an option to unsubscribe at any time.
• 🛠️ **Home Assistant Setup**: The script provides a step-by-step guide on setting up WOL in Home Assistant, including adding the device and its MAC address.
• 📱 **Testing WOL**: The effectiveness of WOL is demonstrated with a live test, showing how pressing a virtual button in Home Assistant can wake a device like a NAS or a Mini PC.
• 🎓 **Educational Webinar**: The presenter offers a free Home Assistant webinar for those interested in learning more about installing and using Home Assistant for remote device control.
• 🖥️ **Windows PC Shutdown**: The script hints at a related video that shows how to remotely shut down a Windows PC using Home Assistant.

Q & A

What is the Wake On Lan (WOL) feature?

Wake On Lan is a feature that allows a device to be woken up from sleep or shut down mode by sending a 'magic packet' over the local network to the specific device.

How can you check if your device supports Wake On Lan?

You can check if your device supports Wake On Lan by contacting the device's support, checking the device manual, or searching online. For custom-built computers, you should check your motherboard or network card manual.

Is Wake On Lan enabled by default on all devices?

No, Wake On Lan may be disabled by default on some devices. It usually needs to be enabled through the device's BIOS.

How do you enable Wake On Lan in a device's BIOS?

To enable Wake On Lan in a device's BIOS, you typically enter the BIOS setup during startup (often by pressing a key like Del, F12, or F1), then locate and enable the Wake On Lan option.

What is a MAC Address and why is it needed for Wake On Lan?

A MAC Address is the unique physical address of a network card. It is needed for Wake On Lan to identify and send the magic packet to the correct device.

How can you obtain the MAC Address of your device?

You can obtain the MAC Address by checking your network settings or by accessing your router's web interface and searching for your device.

What is Home Assistant and how does it relate to Wake On Lan?

Home Assistant is a home automation platform that can be used to control various devices in your home. It can be used to set up Wake On Lan functionality to remotely wake up devices.

How do you add a Wake On Lan button in Home Assistant?

In Home Assistant, you add a Wake On Lan button by navigating to Integrations, searching for Wake On Lan, and entering the MAC address and broadcast address of the device you want to wake.

What is the default broadcast port for Wake On Lan?

The default broadcast port for Wake On Lan is port 9.

Can you customize the appearance of the Wake On Lan button in Home Assistant?

Yes, you can customize the appearance of the Wake On Lan button by editing the card and renaming it, or by using different card types like tile cards.

How can you test if the Wake On Lan button works in Home Assistant?

You can test the Wake On Lan button by pressing it while the device is in sleep or shut down mode and observing if the device powers on.

Is there a way to remotely shut down a Windows PC using Home Assistant?

Yes, there is a method to remotely shut down a Windows PC using Home Assistant, which is detailed in a separate video by the same creator.