An information processing apparatus linked to a network includes a central processing unit CPU, a power management unit, a physical layer, a packet engine unit, a packet filter, and a transmission control unit. The packet engine unit transmits a packet to the network. The packet filter receives a packet from the network. The transmission control unit controls packet transmission. The power management unit supplies power to the physical layer, packet filter, and packet engine unit but not the CPU during a low-power mode. The packet engine unit includes an identification data generator, a message data generator, and a packet frame generator. The identification data generator generates identification data. The message data generator generates message data. The packet frame generator generates a packet by combining the identification data and message data. The transmission control unit transmits the packet periodically during the low-power mode.