Systems, methods, and other embodiments associated with wake-on-frame mechanisms are described. According to one embodiment, an apparatus includes a central processing unit (CPU) that performs routing related processing on packets prior to sending the packets to one or more destination devices and a switch configured to send packets to the CPU. The switch is configured to, in response to receiving a new packet for the CPU, determine whether a wake-on-frame mechanism is enabled. When the wake-on-frame mechanism is enabled, the switch causes an interrupt signal to be sent to the CPU, such that receiving the interrupt signal will cause the CPU to wake up. When the wake-on-frame mechanism is disabled, the switch sends the packet to the CPU.