Remote PC power management

[technocim]

Hi, it's my first time writing here as I did not find any current topics on my problem.

 

The thing is that I need a reliable way to turn on and off my computer when I'm not at home, as I sometimes need to access files and programs from my desktop PC. I've heard that many server grade motherboards include remote power management, but they are expensive and somewhat hard to get. On the other hand, Wake on Lan does not always work (maybe missed packets?). I've seen on the Internet that an Arduino can be adapted to make this possible, but digging somewhat more on the topic I've found two Kickstarter projects that tried to solve this: 

 

The first one seemed like it did not work on all computers and the second one seems like a good promise, but it somewhat looks strange to me. I need advice on what can I do to have a reliable system. Any suggestions?

[00100000]

I honestly wouldn't trust Kickstarter

[homeap5]

Wake on lan ALWAYS works except:

1. If you have home router that drop arp table after a while (so almost all home routers does that; if you want to use WOL - I recommend TP-Link routers - the only brand that gives ARP binding and it's the way to made it work).

2. Power loss (you must setup in BIOS that in case power loss your computer turn on itself).

 

[WereCatf]

48 minutes ago, technocim said:

Any suggestions?

Sonoff makes nice ESP8266-based wall-adapters with a relay inside that you just plug into wall and a cable into them. I have no idea how good or bad the default firmware on them is, but if you're not afraid of getting your hands dirty, you can flash custom firmware on them, like e.g. I use Tasmota on mine.