Is it Possible to...

[MTSkull]

Is it possible to set up a (C# or VB) program to remotely reboot another machine (say a server). The Sys Admin asked about it and I have no clue where to even start looking for something like that.

Thanks
MTS

 

[PlausiblyDamp]

Programatically either InitiateSystemShutdown or InitiateSystemShutdownEx are the API calls you will need.

For this to work you would need the requisite permissions to shut down the target machine.

Alternatively windows has a shutdown.exe command you could use via the Process class.

 

[mskeel]

Couldn't you just remote into the machine via Remote Desktop and tell the machine to reboot? Of course, that wouldn't be a fully automated solution.

 

[PlausiblyDamp]

You would need to use shutdown.exe even then, remote desktop disables the shutdown / restart options...

 

[mskeel]

remote desktop disables the shutdown / restart options...

That's interesting, because my server definitely restarts when I tell it to over remote desktop. Perhaps because I'm logged in as an admin? Or perhaps it's a feature exclusive to Windows Server?

 

[SonicBoomAu]

I believe that the server disables the shutdown/reset option from the login box. But, that being said, when you have logged into the server you then have the ability (with the appropriate permissions) to shutdown or restart the server.

HTH.