Schedule a Cisco Router/Switch reload

Some tasks, such as upgrading the IOS image, will require the router or switch to be reloaded, often you will want to do this out of hours to avoid downtime for the users.

Not everyone knows that the reload command allows you to schedule the reload at a specified date or after a time interval.

Reload at a specific time

The at keyword allows you to enter the time using the 24-hour clock and optionally a day and month.

Router01# reload at 03:00 1 dec

Reload scheduled for 03:00:00 UTC Sun Dec 1 2019 (in 8 hours and 20 minutes) by console

Reload after a time interval

The in keyword allows you to enter minutes or hours and minutes.

Router01# reload in 03:30

Reload scheduled for 19:20:23 UTC Sun Dec 1 2019 (in 3 hours and 30 minutes) by console

Check Scheduled Reload

You can check if a reload has been scheduled with the show reload command.

Router01# show reload

Cancel a Scheduled Reload

If you need to cancel a scheduled reload, you can use the reload cancel command.

Router01# reload cancel