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Resources · IT Admin Glossary
IT power management glossary for administrators
Use this glossary to distinguish the network, Windows and endpoint-management terms that matter when you wake, shut down and manage PCs across business networks.
Definitions are concise starting points. Follow the linked guides for topology, configuration and operational details.
Terms and definitions
From broadcast domains to Wake-on-LAN
Each definition uses common administrator terminology and points to a relevant EnviProt guide where deeper context is available.
A
Automatic WOL proxy selection
A method that selects an available Wake-on-LAN proxy for the target network instead of relying permanently on one fixed relay. Selection still depends on the deployed product, reachable proxy candidates and the actual network topology.
Also used: automatic proxy discovery, dynamic WOL proxy selection
B
Broadcast domain
The part of a network in which a Layer 2 broadcast can reach devices directly. Routers and VLAN boundaries normally separate broadcast domains, which is why a local WOL broadcast does not automatically reach every subnet.
Also used: Layer 2 broadcast domain
C
Core business hours
A protected time range in which automated shutdown rules should not interrupt normal user work. It is one safeguard among several and does not by itself detect active applications, transfers or background tasks.
Also used: productive time window, protected business hours
D
DDC/CI
A display-control interface that lets compatible software read or change monitor settings such as power state and brightness. Support depends on the monitor, connection path, graphics stack and enabled device settings.
Also used: Display Data Channel Command Interface
E
Endpoint energy and CO2 estimate
A calculated view of endpoint energy use and associated emissions based on runtime data and defined assumptions or factors. An estimate should be interpreted with its inputs and boundaries; it is not automatically a direct meter reading.
Also used: PC energy estimate, endpoint carbon estimate
F
Fast Startup / hybrid shutdown
A Windows startup mode that combines user sign-out with hibernation of the system session. Because this differs from a full shutdown, WOL behavior after Shut down can depend on firmware, NIC drivers, Windows settings and hardware support.
Also used: Windows Fast Startup, hybrid boot
H
Hardware and software inventory
An automatically collected overview of endpoint properties such as hardware, operating system and installed software. Inventory data supports technical administration, but it is not by itself a complete procurement, contract, license or asset-lifecycle system.
Also used: IT asset inventory, endpoint inventory
Hibernate / S4
A system power state in which Windows saves system context to non-volatile storage and powers down. Resuming restores that context; whether a device can also wake by network signal depends on its platform and configuration.
Also used: hibernation, suspend to disk
I
Idle detection
The evaluation of signals that indicate whether a computer is genuinely unused. Reliable policies can consider more than keyboard and mouse input, including active applications, resource use, network activity and defined exceptions.
Also used: inactivity detection, computer idle detection
L
Legacy sleep / S3
The traditional sleep state in which system context remains in memory while most other components are powered down. A Modern Standby system uses S0 Low Power Idle instead of S1-S3 sleep states.
Also used: classic standby, suspend to RAM
Local broadcast
A broadcast intended for hosts in the sender's local network segment. Routers normally do not forward it, so it is useful for local WOL but not a general solution for remote subnets.
Also used: limited broadcast, local subnet broadcast
M
Magic Packet
A specially formatted network frame containing the target network adapter's MAC address in the Wake-on-LAN pattern. Delivery alone does not guarantee wake-up; firmware, adapter settings, power state and network path must also support it.
Also used: WOL packet, wake packet
Maintenance window
A defined period in which administrators perform updates, deployments or other managed work with reduced impact on users. Offline endpoints may need to be woken before the work and returned to the intended power policy afterwards.
Also used: IT maintenance window, service window
Modern Standby / S0 Low Power Idle
A Windows power model that keeps the system in the S0 working state while entering low-power idle. Systems that support Modern Standby do not use the traditional S1-S3 sleep model at the same time.
Also used: S0ix, connected or disconnected standby
P
Power policy / policy group
A centrally assigned set of rules for device power behavior, schedules, exceptions and related actions. Grouping allows administrators to apply different policies to different endpoint roles or organizational needs.
Also used: endpoint power policy, device policy group
Productive activity
Computer or user activity that an automated power rule should treat as ongoing work. Depending on policy design, signals can include applications, CPU use, network transfers, presentations, remote sessions or other protected tasks.
Also used: active workload, protected activity
R
Runtime / uptime analysis
The evaluation of how long endpoints remain powered on and when that runtime occurs. It helps identify avoidable operating periods and supplies a basis for policy review, energy estimates and reporting.
Also used: PC uptime analysis, endpoint runtime reporting
S
Safe idle shutdown
An automated shutdown that proceeds only after policy-defined inactivity and protection checks. A safe design accounts for user work, applications, transfers, maintenance, time windows and explicit exceptions before acting.
Also used: automatic idle shutdown, inactivity shutdown
SCCM / MECM / MCM
Names administrators use for generations or abbreviations of Microsoft's Configuration Manager product. EnviProt can complement Configuration Manager workflows with endpoint power availability; it does not replace software deployment or endpoint-management functions.
Also used: Configuration Manager, Microsoft Configuration Manager
Scheduled wake
A centrally planned action that wakes selected endpoints at a defined time, commonly before maintenance or scheduled work. Success still depends on the target device's WOL readiness and a working delivery path.
Also used: scheduled Wake-on-LAN, timed PC wake-up
Soft off / S5
The ACPI soft-off state in which the operating-system context is not retained and the system requires a full boot. Some hardware can remain armed for WOL in S5, but support and behavior are platform- and configuration-dependent.
Also used: ACPI S5, full shutdown
Subnet-directed broadcast
An IP packet addressed to the broadcast address of a remote subnet so a router can deliver it as a local broadcast. Because misuse can amplify traffic, routing, ACL and security decisions belong with the network administrator and are often restricted by default.
Also used: directed broadcast, IP directed broadcast
U
UDP ports 7 and 9
Two UDP destination ports commonly used to transport Magic Packets, historically associated with Echo and Discard. Wake-on-LAN is defined by the packet pattern and delivery path, not by one universally mandatory UDP port.
Also used: WOL port 7, WOL port 9
Unicast WOL
Delivery of a wake packet to one endpoint IP address instead of a broadcast address. It can depend on routers or switches retaining a usable IP-to-MAC mapping after the endpoint has powered down.
Also used: directed unicast wake-up
V
VLAN / subnet in WOL
A VLAN or routed subnet boundary separates the sender from the sleeping endpoint's local broadcast domain. Cross-subnet WOL therefore needs a deliberately designed delivery method such as an authorized directed broadcast or a relay in the target network.
Also used: WOL across VLANs, WOL across subnets
W
Wake timer
A local operating-system or firmware timer that can resume a supported device for a scheduled event. It differs from WOL because the trigger is stored or scheduled on the endpoint rather than delivered as a network wake packet.
Also used: Windows wake timer, scheduled resume timer
Wake-on-demand
A workflow that powers on a specific office endpoint only when a user or administrator needs it. Controlled identity, device assignment and a reliable WOL path help avoid granting broad access to unrelated systems.
Also used: on-demand PC wake-up, remote PC wake
Wake-on-LAN (WOL)
A technology that lets a suitably configured network adapter trigger a computer to power on or resume when it receives a matching Magic Packet. Firmware, adapter, operating-system power settings, power state and network delivery all affect whether it works.
Also used: Wake on LAN, WoL, remote network wake-up
Wake-on-WAN (WoW)
Wake-on-LAN used across routed or geographically remote networks. It is not one universal protocol: the implementation must account for security, address translation, routing and delivery inside the endpoint's target network.
Also used: remote WOL, WOL over WAN
Wake-up proxy (ConfigMgr)
A Microsoft Configuration Manager wake method in which selected awake clients help identify sleeping peers and redirect traffic intended for them. It is a Configuration Manager feature and should not be treated as a generic synonym for every WOL relay or EnviProt WOL proxy.
Also used: Configuration Manager wake-up proxy, SCCM wake-up proxy
WOL portal
A web interface through which authorized users can wake assigned computers without direct access to the central management console. The portal's authentication and assignment model determines who can see and wake which devices.
Also used: Wake-on-LAN portal, self-service wake portal
WOL proxy / relay
A reachable system inside or near the target network that forwards or generates the local wake traffic for sleeping endpoints. This avoids assuming that ordinary broadcasts will traverse routers, VLANs or WAN links.
Also used: Wake-on-LAN relay, subnet WOL proxy
Need an operational answer?
Turn definitions into deployment and troubleshooting steps
The FAQs and deployment guides provide practical steps for scheduled wake, safe idle shutdown and managed Windows rollouts.