Need assistance with your home-based server? Let me know how I can help!
Need assistance with your home-based server? Let me know how I can help!
I often go outside and enjoy playing, wanting to access my PC from afar. I needed assistance from my ISP to get a static IP, which helps me stream from my computer online. However, I can’t wake up the system remotely. I’m trying to set up my PC’s static IP since I already have one with my ISP. Please help!
Already assigned a static IP address means you should adjust your IP manually in the network options. To avoid sleep mode and prevent waking it, check the Windows settings under System > Battery & Standby (note the Danish translations are unclear). Be aware there might be some input delay, so plan accordingly.
If the device is already running and just off, Chrome Remote Desktop could be a good choice since it can power on the system. You can use CRD to log in and set it up, then move to another method. Otherwise, I suggest following what @flashiling advised.
Initially, plan your streaming carefully—anticipate slow connection times and make sure you have ample bandwidth available. Most likely, your device uses a router with a fixed IP address from your internet service provider. You won’t need to adjust settings unless your ISP’s DHCP system assigns the static address automatically (common in Estonia, though details may vary by country or provider). A static IP isn’t essential here; instead of managing it manually, you could use dynamic DNS and a script that updates your address automatically. I wouldn’t suggest leaving your computer directly exposed to the public internet. Instead, establish a VPN gateway (such as WireGuard or OpenVPN) on your PC, router, or another device, forward ports on the router to your local network, and connect via VPN to access your home network. From there, you can send wake-on-LAN packets to your PC if it’s running the VPN elsewhere, allowing remote control. Once set up, remote tools like RDP can be used to access your computer from anywhere.
I support the idea of using a VPN to connect to your home network. Many good routers include this capability, and it’s straightforward to configure. (Most also offer DDNS, which means you won’t have to worry about managing a static IP.) Check if your router supports WoL. WoL packets are broadcast messages that usually require being on the same network. If you’re running OpenVPN in TAP mode, this should function, but not in TUN mode. It’s best to use the router’s web interface to send the WoL packet. If that isn’t possible, you might try sending it to your broadcast address (like 255.255.255.255 instead of your computer’s real IP, such as 192.168.1.255), though this is worth testing.