Note: the information in this file applies to management adapters only. Standard, non-management adapters do not have a 3-pin auxiliary power connector.
The Wake on LAN (WOL) feature of the management adapter allows a WOL-enabled computer to be powered-on remotely by a network management program. In some operating systems, it can also wake the computer from suspend mode. This is accomplished by sending a special type of data packet containing the adapter's specific Ethernet address.
Some management adapters are supplied with a small cable with a 3-pin connector at each end. Some WOL-enabled computers require this cable for the WOL function. In these computers, one end of the cable is attached to the adapter and the other end is attached to the 3-pin WOL connector on the WOL-enabled computer. When the computer is powered off, the adapter continues to operate by using +5 volt standby power through the 3-pin cable in the computer.
In WOL-enabled computers that do not require the 3-pin cable, the adapter operates from 3.3 volt standby power supplied through the PCI bus. When the computer is powered off, the adapter continues to operate by using 3.3 volt standby power through the PCI bus. As long as AC power is available to the power supply, the adapter will draw standby power when the machine is powered off, allowing it to "listen" to the network for a wake up packet.
NOTE: Early versions of the Management adapter are +5 volt only. These models must have the 3-pin cable attached for the WOL function to work. These adapters can be identified by the fact that they are equipped with 3 LEDs on the adapter bracket, whereas the PCI 2.2 compliant models have 2 LEDs on the adapter bracket. These older, +5 volt model adapters are not compliant to the PCI 2.2 specification and will not fit in a 3-volt only PCI slot due to the slot being keyed differently.
Only a computer designed for Wake on LAN can use the Wake on LAN function. If your computer uses a 3-pin connector for Wake on LAN, make sure the connector matches the 3-pin cable that may have been supplied with the management adapter. If the computer has a Wake on LAN connector that does not fit the 3-pin cable, do not attempt to use it with this adapter. An exception to this rule is some early IBM WOL-enabled computers that use a 2 pin header. These computers can be used with the Management adapter by utilizing a 2 to 3 pin adapter, available at extra charge from Intel.
If your computer requires the 3-pin cable, then the +5 volt standby power supply must be capable of supplying at least 0.2 amps at +5 volts for each management adapter installed (.6 amps for each of the older PCI 2.1 compliant management adapters). This value is usually listed on the power supply label as +5SB, +5VSB or +5AUX.
If your WOL-enabled computer is compliant to PCI specification 2.2, then it does not require the 3-pin cable for Wake on LAN. In these computers, the 3.3 volt standby supply must be capable of supplying at least 0.2 amps for each management adapter installed. You may need to contact your computer manufacturer to verify the standby current rating.
If the management adapter is installed in an original retail version of Microsoft Windows 98, you will have an additional setting in the adapter properties that is not available for other types of adapters. This setting is titled "ACPI Wake On LAN" and by default is set to "Enabled". This option enables or disables the Magic Packet* service for Wake On LAN when used in Microsoft Windows 98 version 4.10.1998 without the Service Pack. If you are using a later version of Windows 98, or have Service Pack 1 or later installed, this option will be ignored and you will be using the ACPI Wake On LAN services.
Many Wake on LAN enabled computers have settings similar to the following:
On Modem Ring Stay Off
On LAN Power-on
On PME Stay Off
The setting "On LAN" refers to wake-up events received through the 3-pin WOL connector. The setting "On PME" refers to wake-up events received through a signal on the PCI bus defined as "Power Management Event". Management adapters are capable of using either of these methods. Which settings to use will vary with the computer and operating system. The following are suggestions only.
A. In computers running Windows 98, set the "On LAN" BIOS setting to "Stay off" and the "On PME" BIOS setting to "Power-on". In other operating systems set the BIOS setting "On LAN" to "Power-on" and the BIOS setting "On PME" to "Stay Off".
B. If these settings do not work for you, try reversing them, or set both to "Power-on".
Note: The reception of a wake up packet will set the adapter to a special state. This condition must be reset before the adapter will accept another wake up packet and power-on the computer. The drivers for this adapter are written to reset this condition when they load. The only other way of resetting this condition is removing AC power from the computer for a short duration (~10 seconds). Once you have sent the computer a wake up packet and powered-on the computer, you must let a driver load or it will no longer accept any wake up packets. If this happens, you can remove the AC power cord for 10-15 seconds or load an adapter driver to reset the adapter and restore normal operation.
If the computer will not power-on when a wake up packet is sent, check the computer's BIOS for power settings (see "Settings in the computer's BIOS" above).
If you are connected to a hub or switch, the link LED on the back of the adapter should be on, even though computer power is off. If the link LED it is not on, try powering the computer on. If the LED now lights, then the adapter is not receiving power in standby mode. If this is the case, check to make sure the 3 pin cable is properly plugged into a standard WOL 3 pin connector on systems that require it. Make sure that the power supply is capable of supplying the necessary current (see Computer Requirements above). Also, check with your computer vendor to be sure that the computer is, in fact, capable of supporting Wake on LAN.
If the link LED does not come on when the computer is powered-on, you have not established link with your hub or switch. Check your cabling or substitute it with a cable that has been verified to work correctly. Make sure your hub or switch is either 10baseT or 100baseTX and is powered-on and fully functional.
If your computer will not power-on at all when the 3-pin cable is attached, but will power-on when the 3-pin cable is removed, your +5 volt standby power supply is possibly insufficient. In systems that do not require the 3-pin cable, this symptom may be caused by an insufficient 3.3 volt standby power supply, especially if you are using multiple management adapters (see Computer Requirements above).
If everything listed above is correct and the computer will still not respond to a wake up packet, check with your computer vendor for an updated BIOS.
The Intel Boot Agent is a software product that allows a personal computer to boot using a boot image that resides on a remote server. The product is complaint with the Wired for Management Baseline 2.0 (WfM 2.0) specification and incorporates the PXE client functionality described in the Pre-boot eXecution Environment Version 2.0 (PXE 2.0 and 2.1) specification.
For detailed information about the Intel Boot Agent refer to:
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