MacOS – How to remotely wake the Mac over Wi-Fi

macmacosNetworkwifi

I am running a server on my Mac mini at home (using the OS X Server app). I would like to access my home network using it's VPN server, but I understand that I can only do this while it's awake. I have already configured my Mac's server to use its IP address for Wi-Fi (for some DNS settings etc), and so connecting it via ethernet would mean that I would have to change quite a few settings…

I'm running OS X Mountain Lion 10.8

How can I do this without having to connect my Mac to my router via ethernet?

I've searched the site and can't find an answer that makes sense to me since they appear out-dated.

Best Answer

  1. Use an Apple Airport or other router that implements Bonjour sleep proxy (optional step)
  2. Configure your Mac to allow wake from Wi-Fi in the power adapter section of Energy Saver
  3. Use Remote Desktop or an equivalent tool to send the Wake-on-lan (WOL) packet to your router that will then deliver it to your sleeping Mac.
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