Swif enables IT admins to automate device restarts across Windows, macOS, and Linux using a flexible Cron Policy. This policy allows you to schedule restarts at regular intervals or at specific times, ensuring devices remain healthy and compliant with organizational requirements.
What is a CRON Job?
A CRON job is a time-based task scheduler that runs commands or scripts automatically at specified times or intervals. Swif leverages this mechanism to automate device restarts and other maintenance tasks.
CRON Expression Structure:
┌───────────── Minute (0 - 59)
│ ┌─────────── Hour (0 - 23)
│ │ ┌───────── Day of Month (1 - 31)
│ │ │ ┌─────── Month (1 - 12 or JAN-DEC)
│ │ │ │ ┌───── Day of Week (0 - 6 or SUN-SAT)
│ │ │ │ │
* * * * *
Some systems support a 6th field for seconds at the beginning.
Common Examples:
Every 5 minutes:
*/5 * * * *Every day at midnight:
0 0 * * *Every Monday at 9:30 AM:
30 9 * * 1
Windows: Scheduled Restart Policy
Swif's Windows Cron Policy lets admins schedule device restarts using standard cron expressions.
Key Features:
Schedule restarts every X days or at a specific date/time (e.g., end of day).
Policy type:
WINDOWS CRON POLICYSupports timezone configuration.
Example Policy:
{
"policyName": "Windows Cron Policy",
"policyType": "WINDOWS_CRON_POLICY",
"policy": {
"cronTasks": [
{
"commandType": "REBOOT",
"cronJob": "0 2 * * 1", // Every Monday at 2:00 AM
"timezone": "+00"
}
]
}
}Command Type:REBOOT(restart) orSHUTDOWNCron Job: Standard cron expressionTimezone: Timezone offset (e.g.,+00for UTC)
How it works:
When the scheduled time arrives, Swif sends a restart command to the device. If the device is offline, the command is queued and executed when the device next comes online.
More info:
Windows-specific MDM policies in Swif
macOS: Scheduled Restart Policy
Swif's Apple Cron Policy provides similar scheduling for macOS devices.
Key Features:
Schedule restarts every X days or at a specific date/time.
Policy type:
APPLE CRON POLICYSupports both macOS and iPadOS (11+).
Example Policy:
{
"policyName": "APPLE_CRON_POLICY",
"policyType": "APPLE_CRON_POLICY",
"policy": {
"cronTasks": [
{
"commandType": "REBOOT",
"cronJob": "0 3 * * 0", // Every Sunday at 3:00 AM
"timezone": "+00"
}
]
}
}Command Type:REBOOTorSHUTDOWNCron Job: Standard cron expressionTimezone: Timezone offset
How it works:
At the scheduled time, Swif triggers the restart on the device. Offline devices will execute the command when they reconnect.
More info:
Apple-specific MDM policies in Swif
Linux: Scheduled Restart Policy
Swif's Linux Cron Policy enables scheduled restarts for Linux devices using the same cron syntax.
Key Features:
Schedule restarts every X days or at a specific date/time.
Policy type:
LINUX CRON POLICYWorks with any Linux distribution supported by Swif.
Example Policy:
{
"policyName": "LINUX_CRON_POLICY",
"policyType": "LINUX_CRON_POLICY",
"policy": {
"cronTasks": [
{
"commandType": "REBOOT",
"cronJob": "0 4 * * *", // Every day at 4:00 AM
"timezone": "+00"
}
]
}
}Command Type:REBOOTorSHUTDOWNCron Job: Standard cron expressionTimezone: Timezone offset
How it works:
The restart command is executed at the scheduled time. If the device is offline, the command is queued for the next online session.
More info:
Linux-specific MDM policies in Swif
Need help?
If you have questions or need assistance configuring your Cron Policy, please contact Swif support or refer to the OS-specific help articles linked above.