send automated message to network users when server reboots

Forum,
I want to automatically schedule a reboot on my windows 2003 server everyday at a set time. I would like to have the server send a message to users who are logged into the network, which notifies the end user that the server will be rebooting in X amount of time.

Is there a way to achive this with standard Window commands?

thank you,

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Comments

kripsak

Use Windows messaging, and make sure all the user computers are running Windows Messaging because its usually not turned on by default.

deadpool287

this is a guess. use a script?

HeroPsycho

deadpool287 wrote:

this is a guess. use a script?

net send * "Server is rebooting, foo!"
shutdown /r /f

Put in batch file as a scheduled task. Done.

blargoe

I wouldn't turn on the messenger service, the reason it was turned off by default was because it was so easily exploited.

Unfortunately, I don't know of another built in windows tool to do this, though I'm sure there are freebies out there.

HeroPsycho

Script starting everyone's messenger service to start, send the message, script the stopping of it, and reboot the server...

(You know, PowerShell would work great for this.

)

Darthn3ss

intern + razr

kellyjohn

On Command prompt (Start > Run > cmd) and use windows at command to schedule reboot:
c:> at 2:00am c:\admutils\psshutdown.exe -r -f -c -t 10
Above command will reboot system at 2am. If you want to shutdown system:
c:> at 1:00am c:\admutils\psshutdown.exe -s -f -c -t 10
Where,

* -s: Shutdown windows server
* -r: Reboot windows server
* -f: Forces all running application to exit
* -c: Allow the shutdown to by cancel by user
* -t: Specifies the countdown in seconds until the shutdown

wd40

I do not have a solution, but why do you need to reboot the server every day?

I'm asking this because we have several ancient os/2 servers that we MUST reboot every day and we hate that we have to reboot the servers...

tallicaman99

blargoe wrote:

I wouldn't turn on the messenger service, the reason it was turned off by default was because it was so easily exploited.

I received an email from MS today with the following text in it "Microsoft takes the security of your information very seriously"

HAHA

Darthn3ss

if the phones can receive a text message from an email (ie, username/phoneumber@alltel.com or something) would it be possible to have the server send an email to an account you set up, and then from there add all emails to a mailing list sort of thing and send it out like that? maybe?

seuss_ssues

I too want to know why it needs to be restarted everyday. And if it does for some legit reason need to be restarted why not do it at 3 am when no one will be on.

Another easier solution is to put out a memo. The server will reboot everyday at X time. After a week or two everyone that will be affected will know.