This guide has the objective to guide how to initialize a linux computer with Alexa.
To start with the tests, was used the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYfXbCR3HFQ&ab_channel=AdrianM%C3%BCller (but the video shows how to do on Windows).
[1] Config PCI-E on BIOS:
To initialize the computer with Alexa, needs to enable the 'Magic Packet' config, also named as 'Wake-on-LAN' (WOL) on some cases, to use that you will need to enable remote access to your pc by network.
The motherboard tested was 'ASUS PRIME B450M-GAMING II', who will be used to follow the steps.
When you turn on the computer, open the BIOS configuration (DEL // F2 // Etc), go to:
Advanced Settings >> Advanced >> APM Configuration >> Power On By PCI-E
if this option has turned off, just enable it and save.
[2] Install ethtool:
sudo apt install ethtool
[3] Config Wake-On-LAN:
your-network-name: Name that your computer define to network connection, example: enp2s0, enp5n0, etc...
How check if your 'Wake-On' config is enabled: ethtool your-network-name | grep Wake-on
Enable the 'Magic Packet' as a remote command receiver
ethtool -s your-network-name wol g
[3.1] Make the 'Magic Packet' config persistent:
Will be necessary to create a new file named as 50-wired.link:
sudo nano /etc/systemd/network/50-wired.link
You can identify your MAC address with the command:
ifconfig your-network-name | grep -o -E '([[:xdigit:]]{1,2}:){5}[[:xdigit:]]{1,2}'
paste the config below on file and add your MAC address:
[Match]
MACAddress=your:mac:address:here
[Link]
NamePolicy=kernel database onboard slot path
MACAddressPolicy=persistent
WakeOnLan=magic
...and restart the computer.
[4] Set the computer on Wake-on-LAN website
Access the website below:
Login and sync your Amazon Account.
Next that you scroll down the website to 'Device Panel', it's where you will add the Name and MAC.
The Name will be the command name used by Alexa identify when turn on the device.
example:
Name: PC
Command will be used: Alexa, start PC!
The MAC will be the device's MAC Address, the same address used before (your:mac:address:here).
save the command with the device name.
[5] Install WOL Skill on your Alexa App
Open the Alexa App on your smartphone and add the Wake-on-LAN (WOL) Skill, Alexa will search devices connected by WOL and sync.