A system and method for wireless waking computing devices over a computer
network is provided. A signal is broadcast over the network that includes
one or more device specific wake-up data sequences. Each device specific
wake-up data sequence includes multiple iterations of the hardware
address of the wireless network card associated with that device. While
in a reduced power or "sleep mode", the wireless network card monitors
wireless channels for packets containing a wake-up data sequence. If a
wake-up data sequence is received, the sequence is matched against the
hardware address information for that network card. If a match is
determined, the network card sends a signal to the computing device
causing full system power to be restored. A signal is sent to the network
confirming that the device has been successfully woken from the sleep
mode.