This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.
00:00:00 – 00:13:03
The video details the process of automating the remote activation and shutdown of Windows and Linux PCs using Wake-on-LAN (WoL) for energy conservation, particularly focusing on a Proxmox Backup server setup. The host outlines essential steps, such as enabling WoL in the BIOS and network adapter settings, and verifies WoL capabilities using tools like `ethtool` in Linux. Integration with Node-Red and Home Assistant is highlighted to send "magic packets" containing MAC addresses, facilitating remote wake-ups. The practical application involves setting timers in the Proxmox VE system to automate server wake-up and shutdown around scheduled backup times, using bash scripts to ensure smooth operation. This solution, inspired by "Apalrd's Adventures," also includes enhancements like SMTP email notifications for backup statuses, aimed at reducing the need for 24/7 server operation, thereby conserving energy.
00:00:00
In this segment of the video, the host explains how to turn Windows or Linux PCs on and off automatically or remotely using Home Assistant, Node-Red, and the Linux shell, specifically through the Wake-on-LAN (WoL) functionality. This method helps save energy, as demonstrated by reducing the active time of a Proxmox Backup server. The host highlights the difficulty of remotely turning on a PC, particularly at a solar-powered remote radio station. Instead of using PCIE cards, the solution lies in enabling the WoL feature found in most modern PCs. This involves two steps: enabling WoL in the BIOS and configuring the network adapter settings in the operating system. For Windows, this requires enabling “Wake on Magic Packet” in the device manager and noting down the MAC address via “ipconfig /all”. For Linux, it’s done through the shell by typing “ip a” to find the MAC address.
00:03:00
In this part of the video, the speaker explains how to set up and verify Wake-on-LAN (WOL) capabilities on a Proxmox server. They start by identifying the network interface (here, eno1) and checking support for WOL using the `ethtool` command. If the output shows the letter “g,” WOL is supported; otherwise, adjustments are required in the network interface file.
Next, they demonstrate how to wake a target PC from another machine using Node-Red, by installing the `node-red-node-wol` palette and configuring it to send “magic packets” which contain the target’s MAC address. The speaker also tackles an issue with Docker containers blocking broadcast packets and resolves it by using the target PC’s IP address.
Additionally, they touch upon implementing WOL in Home Assistant by modifying the `config.yaml` file. The segment concludes with creating a simple interface to switch the PC on remotely using a button node in Node-Red.
00:06:00
In this part of the video, the creator discusses configuring a button card in the switches dashboard to trigger a “Wake on LAN” using a MAC address, with the goal of conserving energy by automating a backup server. The creator explains their setup, which involves running a Proxmox VE server and a separate Proxmox Backup server to maintain system backups. They detail a backup process that runs nightly at 1 a.m. but aim to prevent the backup server from running 24/7 to save energy. Their solution includes starting the backup server remotely before backup time and shutting it down afterward. They use a Linux “wakeonlan” tool with Node-Red or Home Assistant to automate this, inspired by “Apalrd’s Adventures.” The setup requires adding the backup server’s MAC address to the Proxmox console to facilitate remote start and testing the configuration.
00:09:00
In this part of the video, the speaker explains the setup of a 24/7 timer on the production system that triggers a service to execute the wakeonlan command three minutes before 1 a.m., to prepare for a backup job scheduled at 1 a.m. Additionally, a second timer is initiated to start a few minutes after the backup server begins, executing a bash script that waits until the backup completes, then shuts the server down one minute later. The ‘wakebigstor.timer’ is created to wake the backup server at 00:57, followed by enabling the timer and reloading daemons to ensure the Proxmox system can send a magic packet to the backup server. For shutdown, a bash script named “autoshutdown” is used to monitor backup completion and then execute a shutdown command, controlled by ‘autoshutdown.service’ and timed by ‘autoshutdown.timer’. The video highlights this method as an effective way to avoid running machines 24/7.
00:12:00
In this segment of the video, the speaker explains how to start Windows and Linux PCs remotely by creating “magic packets” using Node-Red, Home Assistant, and Linux. They highlight automating a Proxmox Backup server with Linux to save energy and mention adding an email notification for backups and error messages in the latest version of Proxmox VE, which now allows direct addition of an SMTP service. The speaker closes by thanking viewers and encouraging support for the channel.