Shutdown is an exciting new command line program available in Windows 2003
and XP. I say exciting both in the sense that everyone loves this
command, and also exiting in the sense it has a dramatic effect - downs the
server. Consequently, take care when experimenting with this command - it is possible to have too much excitement!
Twenty dollars gets you fifty, that sooner or later you shoot yourself in
the foot and accidentally shutdown your own machine, instead of the machine
that you really wish to restart. For this reason, I start will by introducing you to the abort command:
Shutdown /a Remember this is your get out of jail card, it cancels the shutdown.
Microsoft have added Shutdown as a built-in executable to XP and Windows Server 2003. Your
first decision is do you want a simple shutdown? If so, use Shutdown
/s. Alternatively, should you desire the machine to restart then type
Shutdown /r
After you issue the /s or /r, then a dialog box appears with a 30 second count
down, remember to issue the Shutdown /a if you are just testing, or have
made a mistake. Watch out for the dialog box disappearing as you issue
the Shutdown /a instruction.
Now for the 'Remote Shutdown' switch /m \\victim. The full command would
be: Shutdown /r /m \\victim. The slashes look slightly
strange, but that's how it works, in this example, 'victim' is the name of a remote
machine you wish to shutdown. None of this syntax is case sensitive, thus sHUTDOWN /R /m \\ViCTim would work.
Note: There is no space between the backslashes and the computername \\ victim would be a
mistake.
For the local machine, try 127.0.0.1 for example, shutdown /s /m \\127.0.0.1. Useful in batch files.
Examples of Microsoft's Shutdown switch
shutdown /s /m \\victim - Shuts down a remote machine called 'victim'.
shutdown /r /m \\exchange - Reboots a remote
machine called 'Exchange'. Observe how /r replaces /s from the previous example.
Note: For once the sequence of switches is important shutdown /m /s \\ machine does not work.
Encouraging computers to sleep when not in use is a great idea -
until you are away from your desk and need a file on that remote sleeping machine!
Wake-On-LAN really will save you that long walk to awaken a hibernating
machine; however my reason for encouraging you to download this utility is
just because it's so much fun sending those 'Magic Packets'. As Wake-On-LAN (WOL) is free, see
if I am right, and you get a kick from arousing those sleeping machines.
WOL also has business uses for example, wakening machines so that they can have
their patches applied.
/t for time. Is 30 seconds too short (or too long) a time to wait for the server to shut down? If so, you can adjust with /t: 60 to display the dialog box one minute. Maximum is
600 seconds.
/f for force. This is what I call the 'Mr Nasty' switch. A shut down is coming - ready or not! Shutdown
/r /f as you may have guessed, restarts the machine and closes any programs
without warning.
/c for comment. Would you like to put your stamp on the shutdown command?
Let people know who is in charge, who is shutting them down? If so you could add: /c " Guy
is shutting you down"
/d p:4:1 reason. Personally, I would avoid this switch, the syntax
is tricky, the numbers obscure and worst of all it does nothing exciting.
That said the Microsoft's idea is sound, it enters a reason for the shutdown in the
event log. If you activate shutdown's help, then you will get a whole
list of major and minor reasons that you could employ with this switch.
For me, this switch is an option, an option that I do not take.
Note 1: Shutdown's switches work equally well with a dash, for example, -d, -r or -a (instead of /d, /r or /a)
And now for something completely different, this section deals with Microsoft's Shutdown Event Tracker. Imagine that you wish
to disable the annoying shutdown tracker found on Windows Server 2003. As is so often the case, when you do not like a feature there is hidden
way of turning it off.
In order to disable the Shutdown Dialog box,
check out your Group Policy. Ask yourself, 'Would this be a Computer
policy or a User policy?' The answer is that Shutdown Event Tracker is a
Computer policy. Armed with this knowledge make sure that, a) You
select the OU which containers the Windows 2003 server, b) You navigate to
the Computer not the user part of group policy.
Complete Group Policy path to disable Shutdown Event Tracker:
Local Computer Policy
Computer
Configuration
Administrative Templates
System
Solarwinds' Config Generator is a free tool, which puts you in charge of
controlling changes to network routers and other SNMP devices.
Boost your network performance by activating network device features
you've already paid for.
Guy says that for newbies the biggest benefit of this free tool is that
it will provide the impetus for you to learn more about configuring the SNMP
service with its 'Traps' and 'Communities'.
Guy Recommends: Orion's NPM - Network Performance Monitor
Orion's performance monitor is designed for detecting network outages. NPM makes it easy to see what's working, and what needs your attention.
This utility guides you through creating network maps. It also helps troubleshooting by indicating whether the root cause is faulty equipment, or resource overload.
For the local machine, try 127.0.0.1 for example, shutdown /s /m \\127.0.0.1. Useful in batch files.
