To configure Wake on LAN on an APC UPS device:
Once the servers are down, the UPS itself shuts down to save its remaining battery capacity, waiting for utility power to return.
If your network environment makes broadcasting magic packets difficult (e.g., across different VLANs without a WoL proxy), the best alternative using your APC UPS is . Enter your server or PC BIOS/UEFI. Navigate to the Power Management settings.
For IT professionals and home lab enthusiasts, the ultimate goal is a "lights-out" environment where systems can recover from a power failure without manual intervention. While APC UPS units excel at keeping hardware safe, many users mistakenly believe the UPS itself sends a "Wake-on-LAN" (WoL) signal to restart servers. In reality, the most reliable way to achieve this is through a combination of BIOS settings and strategic networking. Does an APC UPS Support Wake-on-LAN?
Ultimate Guide to Configuring APC UPS and Wake-on-LAN for Maximum Uptime
In modern homelabs, enterprise environments, and high-performance computing setups, ensuring servers and workstations can automatically turn back on after a power outage—or be remotely awakened—is critical. While standard UPS systems protect hardware,
(for AP9630/9631 with custom script support)
Always keep your NMC3 firmware updated to the latest version.
packets directly to restart servers. To achieve a "best" automated recovery after a power outage, experts recommend leveraging hardware BIOS settings or secondary low-power devices. Best Recovery Methods for APC UPS Users BIOS "AC Back" Setting (Most Reliable):
Look for a setting named , Power on by PCI-e , or Resume on LAN . Enable this feature. Save your settings and restart. Step 2: OS-Level Configuration (Windows Example)
Your primary goal is a safe, software-initiated shutdown, not an abrupt power cut. Connect your APC UPS to your main server via USB. Use (for Windows) or the cross-platform, open-source Network UPS Tools (NUT) software to configure a safe shutdown policy. Set a timer (e.g., wait 2-5 minutes) to ignore short, momentary power fluctuations and initiate a shutdown only for a sustained outage.
Before the operating system can listen for a Magic Packet, your motherboard’s hardware must be prepared to receive power to the Ethernet port while in a shutdown state.
If your servers attempt to restart immediately after power is restored, a temporary brownout or unstable line condition could cause them to immediately crash again.
APC (American Power Conversion) UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) devices are widely used to provide backup power to critical infrastructure, such as servers and network equipment. One of the advanced features offered by APC UPS devices is Wake on LAN (WOL), which allows administrators to remotely wake up or turn on servers and other devices over a network. In this guide, we'll explore the best practices and configurations for using APC UPS Wake on LAN.
: Ideal for home offices and small networking gear. It includes 6 battery-backed outlets and 3 surge-only outlets for less critical devices.
Write a script within PowerChute that executes a third-party WoL tool to broadcast the Magic Packet across your subnet. Method B: The Raspberry Pi or NAS "Always-On" Sentinel
This combination ensures your device wakes from UPS-induced shutdown every time — no manual intervention needed.