Remote reboot (Server 2008 R2) over internet

DJMK4 · 30 Jan 2012 at 10:03

Hi all,

I use a small batchfile utilising the shutdown.exe feature for restarting/shutting down my Server 2008 R2 box from another machine on the LAN, however want a similar script to work if I am not on the same network.

I have some options which I am looking at

1) Similar batch file to restart over the WAN (then if needed set-up some port forwarding on my router (or is this not reccomended)

2) Test out tweetmypc, little app which runs on the server, then create a new twitter account, and you can log in to this twitter account and "tweet" certain commands to shutdown/restart), seems ok but not 100% until fully tested

3) Just set-up a VPN server on the Server 2008 box so I can VPN in, once on my network at home I can then use the batch file I normally do as I would essentially be on the same network.

What you think?

Deception · 30 Jan 2012 at 11:12

Could try something like Logmein or Teamviewer as this negates having to forward a port.

cokecan · 30 Jan 2012 at 15:21

Maybe check out PsShutDown? It's an MS tool that I believe is part of PsTools

SoundsGood · 30 Jan 2012 at 15:26

Deception said:
Could try something like Logmein or Teamviewer as this negates having to forward a port.

This is probably the easiest way..

If you're on a static IP when away from home you could port forward RDP then white list the IP with IPSec or your router/firewall

Sin_Chase · 30 Jan 2012 at 16:49

What email gateway do you use?

MailMarshal allows script triggering.

IE you send the command via email to a certain address with a keyword (password) in the subject followed by the script command.

DJMK4 · 30 Jan 2012 at 17:26

RDP is a no no, partly the reason I am doing this is because when connecting to my server remotely over RDP, the session will just disconnect the session if I leave it connected for a bit (10-15 minutes), then everytime I try to reconnect over RDP, I will authenticate via RDP fine, and will go straight to a black screen each time.

I can only RDP properly back to the main desktop after a server reboot, I have been trying to find out if this is a known issue with RDP on Server 2008 R2, however for now I will just use team viewer to reboot until I find a permanent solution for this RDP issue.

It only happens if I log in and leave a session open for a long period of time. If I log on, do what I need to do, then log off it won't happen.

Sin_Chase · 30 Jan 2012 at 17:55

I've seen it happen on XP, 7 and all flavours of Server.

Not a intrinsic bug I think but something that just breaks.

PistolPete · 30 Jan 2012 at 18:32

When you connect, are you specifying session 0 to connect to using /admin in the command line?? I get the same issue in that I get a new session each time that is blank but session 0 is fine.