The iPad software update server could not be contacted or is unavailable.

I am having the same problem - what was the solution? Or is it just traffic at the Apple servers with everyone trying to upgrade at the same time?

Yes, please detail. I am having the same issues

I still have this issue: may I know what you did to correct this ? Thank you for sharing !

I spent the better part of a day with this problem, including a talk with support people at Apple that were as stumped as me. The next morning (well, today), I took my Macbook and my iPad to someplace where I could try the restore from a different Internet connection, and lo and behold, it worked. So I guess my home network is the issue, although other Internet activity there seems unimpeded. Hope that helps...

Thank you. I have done the same and it works on a different internet connection. I also believe as such that the issue is with my home network.