Automating dedicated server reboots

Linux servers

[root@server root]# at midnight
at> shutdown -h now

Press Ctrl-D here to signal an end of commands to run

at> <EOT>
job 17 at 2006-06-22 00:00
[root@server root]#

  • To see a list of scheduled at jobs, type atq

  • To delete an at job, type atrm NUMBER

  • Ensure the time is set to EST or you might get a surprise.

Windows servers

  • Open a command prompt 

C:\> at 00:00 shutdown /s /c "Shutting down for some reason" /f /d /p:4:1

  • You can type at to list the scheduled at jobs