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Server Restart

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I need a software package that will allow me to down and restart a Novell 4.2 server at a set time. This will allow me to restart the server at night when there is no IT staff or workers on site after applying patches or upgrades during the day.

15 replies

by pacdegroot

Why not use cron.nlm, a novell scheduler.
Use cron to run a .NCF file which unloads any
NLM's that are running and then removes DOS, DOWNs and EXITs.

Example of NCF file:
unload [any NLM that needs to be unloaded]
REMOVE DOS
DOWN
EXIT

by jimbb

No need to do "remove DOS":
-DOWN
-RESTART SERVER

This will do the same trick.

Jim

by jskalski

If you are running a monitored UPS on the server, the software will sometimes have an option for scheduled shutdowns and restarts of the server. We run APC UPS's and their powerchute software has this option.

by jimbb

As said before, use CRON. This is a scheduler, which will execute any command, inclusive an NCF file in which you put the needed commands for a restart. You choose when and how often a command is executed. The needed lines for your NCF file are DOWN and RESTART SERVER, the required parameters for your CRONTAB file, which controls what is executed when, depend on what exactly you want of course.

Jim

by pacdegroot

It must be understood that the
REMOVE DOS instruction will cause DOS to be removed from the servers memory. The server when downed using DOWN and EXIT will then automatically reboot because it will not return to the DOS command prompt.

Try this:
create an .NCF file called BOUNCE.NCF in the SYS:SYSTEM Directory using EDIT and type the following lines:

REMOVE DOS
DOWN
EXIT

Save the file and then execute it from the console prompt by typing BOUNCE and enter.
The server will down and exit and reboot automatically.
Now use a Cron to call the BOUNCE.NCF file at whatever times you wish to reboot the server.

ENJOY!

by alan

Both Jim & Peter are correct. It depends on if you simply want to restart NetWare (Jim's solution) or do the equivalent of a Ctrl-Alt-Del to restart the server box itself (Peter's solution). The CLI for the console is still active in NW4.x even after the DOWN command has completed. There is always the risk that doing an automated restart will result in a machine that is simply hung due to unforeseen circumstances. When doing this, you may wish to plan on going into work early just to insure that the restart was successful.

by wcraigmiles

If you are worried about the server not restarting because of a question at the console, then use the retyes.nlm. This will return a y and a carriage return to any questions asked at the console once it is loaded. We obtained it from our Vinca rep. I belive that Novell bought them out and you should be able to get it from them.

There are several other 3rd party utilities that will restart servers also. They have demo copies at www.novellshareware.com and other places.

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