Network controller, information processing apparatus and wake-up control method

An information processing apparatus which is configured to execute communication with a network by a network controller, comprising:

• a processor configured to execute, before the information processing apparatus transitions into a sleep state, (a) a process of setting first data which is indicative of a data pattern of an address resolution protocol request packet comprising a network address of the information processing apparatus, and second data which is indicative of a data pattern of a wake-up packet for waking up the information processing apparatus, in a data register within the network controller, (b) a process of setting transmission data which is indicative of a data pattern of an address resolution protocol reply packet comprising a physical address of the network controller, in a transmission data register within the network controller, and (c) a process of setting the network controller in a sleep mode in which the network controller is configured to monitor incoming of the wake-up packet;
• a comparison unit provided in the network controller and configured to compare a data pattern of an incoming packet from the network with the first data and the second data, while the information processing apparatus is in a sleep state;
• a transmission unit within the network controller, the transmission unit configured to send the address resolution protocol reply packet to the network in accordance with the transmission data stored in the transmission data register, if the data pattern of the incoming packet corresponds with the first data;
• and
• a wake-up signal output unit within the network controller and configured to output, if the data pattern of the incoming packet corresponds with the second data, a wake-up signal for instructing wake-up to the information processing apparatus.

A remote wake-up control method for waking up an information processing apparatus, comprising:

• executing, before the information processing apparatus transitions into a sleep state, (a) a process of setting first data which is indicative of a data pattern of an address resolution protocol request packet comprising a network address of the information processing apparatus, and second data which is indicative of a data pattern of a wake-up packet for waking up the information processing apparatus, in a data register in a network controller within the information processing apparatus, (b) a process of setting transmission data which is indicative of a data pattern of an address resolution protocol reply packet comprising a physical address of the network controller, in a transmission data register within the network controller, and (c) a process of setting the network controller in a sleep mode in which the network controller is configured to monitor incoming of the wake-up packet;
• executing, by the network controller, a comparison process of comparing a data pattern of an incoming packet from a network with the first data and the second data, while the information processing apparatus is in a sleep state;
• executing, by the network controller, a process of sending the address resolution protocol reply packet to the network in accordance with the transmission data stored in the transmission data register, if the data pattern of the incoming packet corresponds with the first data;
• and
• executing, by the network controller, a wake-up signal output process of outputting a wake-up signal for instructing wake-up to the information processing apparatus, if the data pattern of the incoming packet corresponds with the second data.