« Windows Home Server Power Saving

Wake, Shutdown and Reboot On LAN

Published by runtime 360 December 30th, 2007 in Blog

With my earlier attempt at power saving somewhat thwarted I decided to look at a different approach. I didn’t realise it at the time but the behaviour of Windows Home Server that causes it to periodically wake up is in fact inherent to Windows 2003 Server. Servers typically run 24/7 so this behaviour is natural enough.

Wake On LAN has been around for ages but I never really looked at it until now (since Windows Home Server won’t power up of it’s own accord!). Setting up Wake On LAN can be quite tricky, there are quite a few pre-requisites that you need to satisfy before you can get it working. Even when you’re ‘done’, there are still the ’shutdown’ and ’scheduling’ aspects to sort out.

Over the past couple of days I’ve put together a small web application here that allows me to schedule wake-up, shutdown, and reboot events for computers across the Internet. In order to handle Shutdown/Standby/Hibernate and Reboot on LAN I created a lightweight NT service to listen out for packets on a given UDP port. The packet structure is very similar to the existing magic packet used by Wake on LAN, but different enough so that the intention (wake, shutdown, etc.) is not confused.

Managing computers in a home network Editing network card details

I’m still testing the web application and service (so far all indications are positive), but if you’re interested in helping test please drop a line in the comments area.

36 Responses to “Wake, Shutdown and Reboot On LAN”  

Feed for this Entry
  1. Xbox 360 Dashboard 1 markvader Dec 31st, 2007 at 12:21 am


    Very interested in testing this for you,

    I have in recent weeks taken to shutting down my Home Server during the hours im in work and sometimes at night, this really would help for those ocassions when i need to remote in from work.

  2. Bringing It Home 2 runtime 360 Dec 31st, 2007 at 2:24 am


    Hi and thanks, I’ll prepare some basic docs and try to get you up and running asap, but in the meanwhile could you do a little prep work? You’ll need the basic WOL mechanism working - once you have that setup the rest will be a breeze. I mentioned before it can be tricky getting WOL setup so please have a look at the links I mentioned in my blog for guidance. There’s also a ‘WOL over the Internet’ utility at www.depicus.com which you can use to test your setup.

  3. Xbox 360 Dashboard 3 Tranquilpc Dec 31st, 2007 at 8:45 am


    Albert

    Looking forward to testing the sample

  4. Xbox 360 Dashboard 4 markvader Dec 31st, 2007 at 1:38 pm


    Got the WOL working over the internet so am at ur disposal when you need testers

    Mark

  5. Bringing It Home 5 runtime 360 Dec 31st, 2007 at 2:27 pm


    Thanks guys, I’ll e-mail you with the necessary details within the next couple of hours.

  6. Xbox 360 Dashboard 6 mwd1966 Jan 1st, 2008 at 12:00 pm


    I’m happy to test too!
    Mark

  7. Bringing It Home 7 runtime 360 Jan 1st, 2008 at 12:44 pm


    No problem, I’ve added you to the beta. Happy New Year!

  8. Xbox Live Gamertile 8 jeroen_vaan Jan 2nd, 2008 at 8:11 am


    I’m willing to test too…

    And a happy New Year to everyone

  9. Xbox 360 Dashboard 9 Stefdv Jan 2nd, 2008 at 9:54 am


    I`m also verry interested in testing this add-in.

    And the best wishes 4 one

  10. Bringing It Home 10 runtime 360 Jan 2nd, 2008 at 1:13 pm


    Thanks guys, I’ve added you both; you should receive an e-mail very shortly.

  11. Xbox 360 Dashboard 11 vvulture Jan 3rd, 2008 at 5:47 am


    Hey there .. very interested in testing this app… will it work with WHS ?

  12. Bringing It Home 12 runtime 360 Jan 3rd, 2008 at 11:04 am


    Hi vvulture, I’ve just added you to the beta - yes you can use it to automatically power on / off Windows Home Server.

  13. The Last Remnant 13 Dragos Jan 3rd, 2008 at 2:36 pm


    Happy New Year !
    I’m interested to test this add-in, It is going to be a add-in to the WHS?

  14. Bringing It Home 14 runtime 360 Jan 3rd, 2008 at 8:36 pm


    Thanks, currently it’s completely web-based but it will be very easy to incorporate it either as an add-in or as a part of the WHS website. I’ve added you to the beta, expect to get an e-mail shortly.

  15. Xbox 360 Dashboard 15 whskid Jan 5th, 2008 at 5:10 am


    Happy New Year, All!

    runtime 360, I’m interested in beta testing this add-in. I’ve been trying to figure out a way to control the wake/sleep/shutdown of my home server remotely.

    Thanks!
    whskid

  16. Bringing It Home 16 runtime 360 Jan 5th, 2008 at 10:18 am


    You’ve come to the right place then :)

  17. Xbox 360 Dashboard 17 socooy Jan 6th, 2008 at 7:28 pm


    I’m also very interested to test this app as well.

    Happy New Year !

  18. Xbox 360 Dashboard 18 Carpfishing Jan 6th, 2008 at 8:44 pm


    Hi Runtime 360

    Me also like to test this add-inn.

    Greetz,,

  19. Bringing It Home 19 runtime 360 Jan 6th, 2008 at 9:13 pm


    No problem, e-mail on it’s way.

  20. Xbox 360 Dashboard 20 tzachb Jan 7th, 2008 at 6:06 am


    Hi

    I would like to test also the power managemnt plug in.

    thanks in advance.

    Tzach

  21. Bringing It Home 21 runtime 360 Jan 7th, 2008 at 8:44 am


    No problem I’ve added you to the beta; just to clarify, the service is not yet an add-in - instead it runs almost entirely via this website. If the service tests well and managing the power management schedule from your Windows Home Server proves to be a popular option then it will be very easy for me to create an add-in. I await your feedback.

  22. Xbox 360 Dashboard 22 dandini Jan 11th, 2008 at 4:13 pm


    Hi there. I’d be very happy to try some testing and I will give you useful feedback where possible. Many thanks,

    Dan

  23. Xbox 360 Dashboard 23 tomziegmann Jan 13th, 2008 at 6:46 am


    Hey there,

    If you need more testers, I have 4 home servers with varying network setups available.

    Thanks,

    Tom

  24. Xbox 360 Dashboard 24 Pickford70 Jan 14th, 2008 at 2:09 pm


    Hi!
    I’m also interested in the app so I’ll give it a whirl if you need more feedback.
    Cheers :-)

  25. Xbox Live Gamertile 25 m@rco Jan 14th, 2008 at 6:49 pm


    If you need more testers you know how to find me.
    I can translate to dutch if you want

    Greetings ;-)

  26. Xbox 360 Dashboard 26 Olli64 Jan 21st, 2008 at 3:08 pm


    Hi WHS-Folks,

    the Add-on looks great to me. If you need a German guy for testing and for Translation drop me a mail and i will jump on the boat.

    Cheers

  27. Xbox 360 Dashboard 27 Greg Jan 24th, 2008 at 3:52 pm


    Hi there!

    I would also like to test this addin, looks like a very handy one :-)

    Thanks,
    Greg

  28. Xbox 360 Dashboard 28 opaopa Jan 26th, 2008 at 7:40 am


    Hi,

    i’m interested in giving your app a try on a couple of XP-pro boxes.
    give me a sign if my interest concurs with yours :)

    Thanks.

  29. Xbox 360 Dashboard 29 Nathan Jan 27th, 2008 at 9:38 pm


    Hi…been very happy with Transcode so happy to test for you on my DIY WMS if your still looking for testers.

    Cheers
    Nathan

  30. Xbox 360 Dashboard 30 NikK Feb 22nd, 2008 at 12:21 am


    I Have the HP Media Smart Home Server and would love to give it a try and help out.

    Thanks

  31. Xbox 360 Dashboard 31 didialim Mar 14th, 2008 at 6:36 am


    hi, can i test this too? i really need something that can wake up computer, shutdown computer as user set….

  32. McDonalds Dollar Menu 32 bbliss Apr 2nd, 2008 at 11:27 pm


    I would really like to try this out in my home environment. I have 5 machines in my house I would like to manage the power on. I am running server 2008 and WHS.

  33. Xbox 360 Dashboard 33 hardwire Apr 5th, 2008 at 11:14 pm


    hey it would be great if i could test it to, would save so much money one the electrical bill cheers mate

  34. Xbox 360 Dashboard 34 stasis Jul 10th, 2008 at 7:45 am


    Id love to test this, been using WOL for years but would love a shutdown and reboot option!

  35. Xbox 360 Dashboard 35 ed205gti Jul 23rd, 2008 at 9:16 pm


    Been looking to run WOL on my WhS, but have not had success so far. Would love to test this out.

  36. Xbox 360 Dashboard 36 stevenlaitpe Jul 31st, 2008 at 6:26 am


    Hi,

    I work for a ODM company and I am looking for a utility about power management on WHS. I saw your previous attempt and I am very interested in this utility. Can we have discussion through email? I am looking for a business opportunity with you.

Leave a Reply

You must log in to post a comment.

<< Xbox Live Gamercard >>

Downloads

Links