A plate-type anodic-alumina-supported 17.9 wt % Ni catalyst quickly deactivated in daily start-up and shut-down (DSS) steam reforming of methane at 700 degrees C. When 0.05 wt % Ru or Pt was doped, the catalyst exhibited self-activation, self-regeneration, and self-redispersion. The Pt-Ni catalyst showed better stability than Ru-Ni. A wave-shape Pt-Ni catalyst was prepared, while 3000h continual and 500-time DSS stability was achieved. Nevertheless, for industrial application, some effort should be made to suppress the catalyst sintering.