Problem
When installing a SQL Server cluster, Services Packs, Hotfixes, etc.. there may be a need to reboot both the nodes for changes to take affect and to reboot the server we have to login to each node which is time consuming. Also, there may be a time when you are not able to login to the server after a reboot due to the server being hung. In this tip we will take a look at the SHUTDOWN command and how it could be used.
Solution
This article will guide you through how to use the DOS SHUTDOWN command in Windows to remotely shutdown, restart or log off the local or network computer..
Shutdown command is useful for these scenarios:
1. In case we have to restart multiple computers
2. Server is pingable, but not allowing user to login, in that case we can restart the server remotely
3. User is able to login, but can see only a blue screen, so at that time we can remotely restart the computer
Permission
You must have administrative access to the local or network computer to restart it remotely. For multiple computers in the domain it is recommended to use the Domain Administrator account.
Command Syntax
Usage: shutdown [-i | -l | -s | -r | -a] [-f] [-m \\computername] [-t xx] [-c “comment”] [-d up:xx:yy]
| -i | Show the graphical user interface of shutdown window |
| -l | To log off from the machine. Make sure that you are not using -l switch with -m switch |
| -s | Shutdown the desired computer |
| -r | Shutdown and restart the computer |
| -a | Abort a system shutdown |
| -m | -m\\machine name is used for to shutdown/restart/abort remote computer |
| -f | Forces running application to close without warning |
| -t | -t xx set timeout for shutdown command to xx seconds |
| -c | -c”comment” to add shutdown comment, you can add up to max 127 characters |
You can also see above output by executing shutdown \? command from DOS
SHUTDOWN command using GUI
Go to > Run and type Cmd to open a command window
In the command window type
shutdown -I
Here you can select the different options (Restart/Shutdown/Log Off) as per your need. Click on Add… button to add the remote server name.
Execute SHUTDOWN command using command prompt
Here I am restarting remote server (MSSSQLBOX) from the command prompt
shutdown -m \\mssqlbox -r
If you get an access denied/permission error, use the NET USE command
net use \\machine /USER: shutdown -r -f -m \\machine name
Next Steps
- Take some time to lear about the different switches
- Create a batch file by adding a number of servers with the SHUTDOWN command
- Execute shutdown command by using the time (-s,-t) and immediately execute the abort (-a) command
Biography
Jugal Shah is the founder of SQLDBPool.com, where he is writes articles on SQL Server Administration and Development. Jugal has 8+ years of extensive experience in SQL Server Database administration and development. Jugal has worked on SQL Server 2000, 2005, 2008 and 2008 R2. In his current assignment, Jugal is managing large critical databases. His expertise is in database security, performance tuning and implementing high availability solutions. He can be contacted at jugal.shah@sqldbpool.com. He has been recognized as a SQL Server MVP since 2010.
- MSSQLTips Awards: Trendsetter (25+ tips) – 2013
