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Summary:
On-Demand Wake-on-LAN Functionality in BES 7.1
Solution:
In version 7.1 of the BigFix Platform, Console Operators can instantly wake any Wake-on-LAN enabled computer in the deployment --regardless of subnet -- without needing to issue a BigFix Action. In previous versions of the BigFix Platform, this on-demand wake ability required that either the targeted computer(s) be in the same subnet as the computer issuing the WoL packet, or that routers allowed directed broadcasts. These are no longer requirements in version 7.1 of the BigFix Platform, making it much simpler to wake computers in the deployment.
Setting up On-Demand Wake-on-LAN
Enabling On-Demand Wake-on-LAN
To use the new Wake-on-LAN feature,"On-Demand Wake-on-LAN" must first be enabled. This can be done through the "Power Tracking Information" Dashboard found in the BES Power Management site.Users with Master Operator privileges will see a new section in the "Power Tracking Information" Dashboard that provides the ability to enable or disable "On-Demand Wake-on-LAN" for all operators and consoles in the deployment.
Once this setting is enabled, the "Send Wake on LAN Request" option will be available in the right-click menu of the "Computers" tab.
Designating Wake-on-LAN Forwarders
In order to wake machines in all subnets, at least one "Wake-on-LAN Forwarder" must be designated and active in each subnet. When a Wake-on-LAN request is sent, the BigFix server sends a UDP message to Wake-on-LAN forwarders in the targeted computer's subnet. The forwarders will then send a wakeup "magic packet" to the targeted computer.
The "Designate Wake-on-LAN Forwarders" Task in the Power Management site can be used to set Wake-on-LAN Forwarders. If the "BigFix Wake-on-LAN Analysis" is enabled, then the Task will also list the number of Wake-on-LAN Forwarders by subnet, allowing administrators to quickly identify subnets that do not have at least one Wake-on-LAN forwarder.
On-Demand Wake-on-LAN uses heuristics to keep network traffic to a minimum, so all 7.1 clients in a subnet can be made a Wake-on-LAN forwarder. Designating all clients as Wake-on-LAN forwarders provides for wake-up redundancy by increasing the likelihood that at least one forwarder in each subnet is powered-on and can be used to wake targeted computers.
Once a computer has been designated a Wake-on-LAN Forwarder, this designation may be removed by using the "Remove Wake-on-LAN Forwarders" Task.
Knowledge Base ID: | 491 |
Version Information: | BES 7.1 |
Creation Date: | 13 Aug 2008 01:39:53 |
Last Modified Date: | 29 Apr 2009 22:47:10 |