My desktop computer is actually in a network closet in the room next to my office. I have a USB hub and DVD/CD drive on my desk. The cables pass through a hole in the wall. This way I don’t have any noise from my computer in my office. Also, the network closet is locked and alarmed for security. If anyone were to walk in to my office, the computer (and hard drives) are secure.

The problem then is how to power on the computer without going through the hassle to disarm and unlock the closet.

Enter Wake on LAN. I use an icon (shortcut) on my laptop to send a command over the network to “power-on” my desktop. Now I can shutdown at the end of the day and have a convenient startup in the morning.

See the article:
How To: Wake on LAN / Wake on WAN from SmallNetBuilder.