I've seen this feature in practice on Apple MacBook Pro (Mac OS X) and wondered how it could be done on linux.

I want to my machine to shutdown automatically everyday at, say, 12 midnight and start up automatically at, say, 6:00am. I think the shutdown could be done by sceduling the "shutdown/halt" command via (ana)cron but what about start up?

October 21,2008 Aus

Hi


Part A : Daily system shutdown

The scheduled shutdown activity can be set up using cron and a script.
There is plenty of information about how to use cron in man, in books, and on the www.

1) create a suitable exit script ending with the command
$shutdown -h now

2) create a cron schedule entry for a daily execution of the exit script at the desired time.

3) restart cron


Part B : Daily system start up

This usually setup by configuring a system's BIOS.
Modern PCs often have the facility to setup a PC to start up at a desired time of day. (eg. Dell PCs)


Notes:

(i)The above Part B suggestion assumes that you are using a fairly recent PC with an ATX type (or proprietary equivalent) PSU, and not an AT type PSU.

If you are using a PC with an AT type PSU (or equivalent) and a DPDT switch, then there is another approach you can try for a timed system power up. Leave the PC power switch in the "ON" position
Use an external AC mains timer to apply power to the system at the desired time.

(ii)Note that while this works it can also be a safety hazard. When working on the PC disconnect the AC mains timer to ensure that the machine does
not startup while you are performing any kind of (power off) maintenance on it. Use common sense and caution.

(iii)Be careful about the physical installation and physical condition of any PC that you set up for unattended timed power up. After all you don't want a fire, or other problems.


Hope that helps.

Regards

Chris