Technical Tip: Configure FortiGate to restart (reboot) daily

[gmanea]

Description

This article describes how to set up FortiGate to reboot daily, at a pre-defined time.

Scope

FortiGate.

Solution

FortiOS firmware allows the user to automate a daily restart (reboot) of the FortiGate, at a pre-defined hour.  This is a repeated reboot and it can be used for a one-time reboot at a predefined hour (with the mention that it needs to be removed afterward). An alternate option is available in the form of an auto-script that can further fine-tune the reboot, cycle, or add additional commands (from v5.6). 

From v6.2, a more advanced way can be used - Automation Stitch (FortiOS v6.0 has Automation Stitch, but can only be triggered by an event, and not Scheduled).
Daily restart. This option is configurable from the CLI as shown in the example below:

config system global

    set daily-restart enable

    set restart-time 05:06

end

Note: If no restart-time is specified, the default is 00:00.

Once the restart time is reached, the following message is displayed on the CLI console:

The system will reboot due to scheduled daily restart. Current time is 05:06

Syslog message relating to this event:

2024-30-05 05:06:51 log_id=0104041990 type=event subtype=admin pri=information fwver=040000 vd=root msg="Fortigate started"

The following entry will be logged under the GUI event logs:

2021-10-21    05:06:51    information    admin    41990    Fortigate started

Automation stitch reboot.

This option presents another level of integration with the operational level of the network. 

An action can be triggered based on specific predefined triggers.

In this example, a periodic reboot not triggered by a specific event has been used.

Note:

Use short, simple names, and no spaces in the name field.

The CLI commands created by this action:

config system automation-action

    edit "reboot"

        set action-type cli-script

        set required enable

        set script "exec reboot"

        set accprofile "super_admin"

end

config system automation-trigger

    edit "autoreboot"

        set trigger-type scheduled

        set trigger-frequency weekly

        set trigger-weekday monday

        set trigger-hour 20

        set trigger-minute 10

    next

end

config system automation-stitch

    edit "auto reboot"

        set trigger "autoreboot"

            config actions

                edit 1

                    set action "rebooot"

                    set required enable

                next

            end

end

 

Note:
From v7.2 onward, there is a new action type 'system action' which can be used to reboot, shut down, or back up the config of the FortiGate. Refer to this document for more details: System automation actions to back up, reboot, or shut down the FortiGate.

Related articles:

Technical Tip: Automated script execution

Technical Tip: Use FortiGate automation stitches for alert emails

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