Turning on NI PXI Express System Using An Ethernet Connection

Wake-on-LAN (WoL) is an Ethernet or Token Ring computer networking standard that allows a computer to be turned on or awakened by a network message. The message is usually sent to the target computer by a program executed on a device connected to the same local area network.

You can turn on or wake up a NI PXIe system remotely over Ethernet. WoL is only supported on Windows PXI Express (PXIe) systems. It is not supported for Real Time Pharlap ETS or on standard PXI systems. It also requires that the target has an Ethernet card that uses a 5 volt standby rail in order to monitor network traffic while the PXIe system is shut down. Typically only the first ethernet port on a NI PXIe controller supports WoL. Please refer to the PXI Controller Manual of respective model for more information.

To configure Wake-on-LAN in Windows 7, 8 or 10:

1. Go to Device Manager.
2. Expand the Network Adapters section.
3. Right-click the adapter in use and click Properties.
4. Click Advanced tab.
5. Select Wake on Magic Packet from the Property list.
6. Expand the Value section and select Enabled.
7. Click Power Management tab.
8. Select the check box for Allow this device to wake the computer.
9. Click OK.

To configure Wake-on-LAN in Windows XP:

1. Click Start > Settings > Control Panel.
2. Double-click System.
3. Click the Hardware tab and click Device Manager.
4. Expand the Network Adapters section.
5. Right-click on your adapter and select Properties.
6. Click the Advanced tab.
7. Select Wake-on-LAN Options and click Properties. Set the following:
   • Enable PME: set to Enabled
   • Wake on Settings: set to Wake on Magic Packet

Some PXIe controllers support NI Linux RT. To configure Wake-on-LAN in Linux RT, connect a monitor and a keyboard or access the shell remotely, then use ethtool command.

Once configured, you can send the magic packet from another machine to wake up the controller. There are several magic packet generators available, for example Wake on LAN (Magic Packet) from Microsoft Store.

 

Additional Information

It is important to note that if there is a power outage, the chassis must be rebooted to return power to the Ethernet port. Most PXIe controllers have a BIOS feature called Restore After Power Loss. When set to Turn On, the controller will automatically power on when AC power is restored.