How Can I Power On My PC Remotely Without Wake-on-LAN?
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TechieTornado42
I'm trying to figure out how to remotely power on a PC located at a site that doesn't support Wake-on-LAN and doesn't have Wi-Fi. I'm specifically looking for a solution that allows me to trigger the power button from a distance over Ethernet. Ideally, I'd like something similar to a Switchbot, but it needs to work over Ethernet. I don't want to install an access point there. Does anyone have suggestions for products or solutions that could help me? Thanks!
Answers
You might want to look into managed power strips. These have a web interface allowing you to control power to connected devices from anywhere. You can pick one up from places like Amazon. Just ensure that the PC is configured in the BIOS to turn on when power is applied. Managed PDUs can be a bit pricey, but they’re reliable for remote control.
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Consider getting a KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) over IP device that supports power management. These devices can reboot the system as needed. Brands like PiKVM have good options. Alternatively, you could use a Raspberry Pi with a relay board to simulate pressing the power button on your PC. That's a nifty DIY solution!
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A simple way to approach this is by configuring the PC’s BIOS to power on when it detects power restoration. Then, just use an IP-based smart outlet to cycle the power remotely. When you turn the outlet back on, the PC will boot up if it's set up this way. Just make sure the PC isn't in sleep mode since that won't kick it back on.
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CircuitBreaker33: Yeah, a Raspberry Pi is a great choice! Just hook it up correctly to the power button pins, and you'll be good to go.
TechieTornado42: Thanks for the solid suggestions! The Pi route sounds like a fun project.