Remote WOL via RT-AC68U

[archiebald]

Hi,
I have a Synology NAS which runs to a weekly on-off schedule but when I am traveling overseas on different time zones, I would love to be able to remotely boot up and access it through my RT-AC68U.

I used to be able to do this flawlessly with my previous Buffalo router running DDWRT firmware so I know the NAS is set up correctly. With that setup I could send a magic packet with my SmartPhone without any problems. I heard that the latest version of DDWRT firmware might work for this router but it caused too many other issues so I went back to the Asus firmware - currently 3.0.0.4.378_4585-g44c234f

I have tried every permutation of port forwarding for sending magic packets but nothing I do will get the NAS to wake up.

Currently I have to remotely log in to my router, then initiate Wake On LAN from the Network Tools menu. It works but I prefer not to leave my router open with remote admin.

For me, the Asus firmware does everything I need except for the ability to remote WOL.

So, can anyone help me to get remote WOL working through this router. Please use small words, I am just a dabbler.

 

[sentinelvdx]

Hi,

An option could be using AiCloud Android/iOS app (did you configure it and tried it? it works for me to turn on PC and NAS by just clicking on it)
Another option could be port forwarding the port UDP 9 to the NAS ip (which should be static on the NAS or assigned by the router's DHCP).

In the router for configuring that would be:

Assigning a static IP in the router:
-Go to Tabs LAN>DHCP Sever
-There enable manual assignment
-Select the MAC address of your NAS and assign on the right field and IP for it (The MAC address you can see it on the router's main page by clicking on "clients" and checking the address XX:XX:XX:XX:XX:XX)
-Apply

Port forwarding:
-Go to Tabs LAN>Virtual Server/Port Forwarding
-There enable port forwarding
-Below complete "NAS WoL" (or whatever you like as reference, port range (just 9), Local IP (the NAS IP), Local Port (just 9), Protocol UDP.
-Click on the + sign
-Apply

Now you can use a WoL app on a PC or Mobile, which can send the magic packet.



PS: Right now I don't own a Synology NAS (I'm planning to replace mine with one of those), so I'm guiding you with any common device that supports WoL

 

[archiebald]

Hi,
Thanks for your reply, but what you describe is exactly how I had it working under my previous router but now the same type of setup does not seem to work with the AC68.
I have;
DHCP set to start to start from IP 192.168.1.100 and end at 192.168.1.253
NAS is set static to 192.168.1.90
On WAN>Virtual Server/Port Forwarding I have set;
Name "WOL" port range 9, local IP 192.168.1.90 local port 9 UDP

Have read elsewhere that the magic packet needs to be broadcast across the LAN so tried using other IP's such as 192.168.1.255 and 255.255.255.0 and nothing so far has worked.

There seems to be something blocking the broadcast of the magic packet but I am out of my depth here.

I am using the Android app "Wake On Lan" which was also working perfectly with the previous router.

Just to be clear WOL is working perfectly within my LAN, it is only from the internet that I am having the issue.

I am interested if you have any tips on the AiCloud method - I haven't tried that yet.

 

[sentinelvdx]

Regarding the broadcast of the magic packet I'll check it. Becuase you did well. Maybe RMerlin can help us better with that.

About the AiCloud, it's an app you can download from play store o app store, and once configured (you must configure ddns alias name in order access the router remotely more easy), you'll list there the devices connected to it. Once you click on the device if it's not already on, it'll send a WoL packet to start it up (if that devices supports it).
In my case I use AiCloud to start my devices remotely.

Another way, by thinking, could be configuring one of the VPN services inlcuded in the router, connect to it, and send the magic packet as it'll be similar to be at home in your LAN

 

[archiebald]

With the standard Asus firmware, I could not get aicloud to work at all so I have now changed to Merlin's latest firmware.

Now, aiCloud is operating properly and with the NAS off, tapping on its icon will start the NAS. However, I cannot get the Manual WOL function to work through it. I am also concerned about the security of aiCloud, there is a lot more exposed than I would like.

I also confirmed that even with the Merlin firmware the remote Wake on Lan app is not working so I am still stuck with having to log into the router remotely or via aiCloud and using WOL from Network Tools tab.

All I want to be able to do is get the NAS to wake up without having to log into the router. I want to remove any external access to the router.

 

[crime_of_heart]

Hello all. This is my first post

I actually have the exact problem. All other routers I have actually allows my magic packets to wake the computer from outside of my LAN.

I even tried to ssh to the router and manually assigned computer"s MAC to ARP table of the router, with no luck.

For now, I also use the Aicloud solution.

This is really weird...

Will continue to investigate and let all know if I find anything...

 

[sentinelvdx]

With the standard Asus firmware, I could not get aicloud to work at all so I have now changed to Merlin's latest firmware.

Now, aiCloud is operating properly and with the NAS off, tapping on its icon will start the NAS. However, I cannot get the Manual WOL function to work through it. I am also concerned about the security of aiCloud, there is a lot more exposed than I would like.

I also confirmed that even with the Merlin firmware the remote Wake on Lan app is not working so I am still stuck with having to log into the router remotely or via aiCloud and using WOL from Network Tools tab.

All I want to be able to do is get the NAS to wake up without having to log into the router. I want to remove any external access to the router.

The Manual WOL on AiCloud app only works on same LAN. Only the "tappong" on the device on the main page of AiCloid works on internet.
I have also tried the manual wold port forwarding the port I mentioned to you and it's not broadcasting it either... sorry.

Replied through TapaTalk

 

[Sirkassad]

I have an RT-AC68U and have the same problem. On LAN, WoL works fine, but using port forwarding and send WoL to my router's hostname (which is registered) it doesn't work. I can remotely connect using router hostname and port forwarding if the computer is running, so I know the router is registered and 'some' port forwarding works.
Here's the kicker... I powered down my computer, took my android phone off my LAN (turned off wi-fi), then after I was on my mobile data I tried the WoL through my router and it worked. If I try right after the computer is powered off it works, if I wait for an unknown amount of time it doesn't. Doesn't make sense, but that is what's going on right now.

 

[rsdlite]

I have an RT-AC68U and have the same problem. On LAN, WoL works fine, but using port forwarding and send WoL to my router's hostname (which is registered) it doesn't work. I can remotely connect using router hostname and port forwarding if the computer is running, so I know the router is registered and 'some' port forwarding works.
Here's the kicker... I powered down my computer, took my android phone off my LAN (turned off wi-fi), then after I was on my mobile data I tried the WoL through my router and it worked. If I try right after the computer is powered off it works, if I wait for an unknown amount of time it doesn't. Doesn't make sense, but that is what's going on right now.

I guess somehow it is related to ARP table, the router will refresh the ARP table every few minutes. Once it finds that the ip/mac bonding is no longer valid, it removes the entry.

 

[drabisan]

I have the same requirements and I choose to build a VPN connection from my phone*laptop to 68U. After establishing the vpn Synology DS Finder phone application allows me to wake up the DS. From the laptop the easy way is to login to Asus and wake up the DS.
In Asus DHCP I have a reservation for my DS so Asus knows the MAC address of the DS.

 

[fweh298hf32lk]

I have the same problem, quite annoying that WOL over internet does not work.

 

[fweh298hf32lk]

my workaround is install merlin, ssh into router and issue etherwake command:

etherwake -i br0 macaddress

i downloaded an android ssh app that does this as a script so its not bad.

 

[skeal]

I know my way is not the best way but I setup a vpn to my AC68U and allowed lan access this allows me to access my routers webui to use the built in wol feature. All this while not allowing https http or ssh and telnet from wan side.

 

[ksa]

For those having AsusWRT-Merlin firmware (please confirm if this works for original firmware as well):
alias wake_my_pc="ssh admin@my_router_ddns.linkpc.net '/usr/bin/ether-wake -i br0 11:22:33:44:55:66"
Replace with address of your router and mac address of device to be awaken accordingly.