PowerShell SysAdmin Crash Course: Unlock the Full Potential of PowerShell with Advanced Techniques, Automation, Configuration Management and Integration

By Steeve Lee

Take control of your PowerShell skills and start learning today!

Say goodbye to complicated IT tasks and embrace efficient system administration with "PowerShell SysAdmin Crash Course." With hands-on experience and over 50 examples and demonstrations, you will build a strong underst

• Language: English
• Publisher: GitforGits
• Release date: Mar 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9788119177196

Book preview

PowerShell SysAdmin Crash Course

PowerShell SysAdmin Crash Course

Unlock the Full Potential of PowerShell with Advanced Techniques, Automation, Configuration Management and Integration

Steeve Lee

Copyright © 2023 GitforGits

All rights reserved.

Content

Preface

Chapter 1: BEGINNING WITH POWERSHELL

What is PowerShell?

Role of PowerShell

Features of PowerShell

Benefits of PowerShell

PowerShell vs. Command Prompt

Data Processing and Output

Command Handling

Features and Capabilities

Ease of Use

Sample Program to Compare Differences

PowerShell Editions and Versions

Windows PowerShell

PowerShell Core

Azure PowerShell

Exchange Server PowerShell

SharePoint Server PowerShell

PowerShell Versions

Windows PowerShell 1.0

Windows PowerShell 2.0

Windows PowerShell 3.0

Windows PowerShell 4.0

Windows PowerShell 5.0

PowerShell 6

PowerShell 7

Installing PowerShell

Check Version of Windows

Download Appropriate Version of PowerShell

Run Installer

Accept License Terms

Choose Installation Location

Choose Installation Type

Install PowerShell

Launch PowerShell

Verify the Installation

Chapter 2: PowerShell Basics

Configuring PowerShell Console

Customize PowerShell Profile

Steps to Customize Profile

Define Alias, Functions and Variables

PowerShell ISE

Overview

PowerShell ISE Features

PowerShell ISE vs. Visual Studio Code

PowerShell Syntax and Grammar

Variables

Strings

Arrays

If Statements

For Loops

While Loops

Functions

Chapter 3: Cmdlets, Aliases, and Functions

Understanding Cmdlets

Popular 25 Cmdlets

PowerShell Aliases

Create Alias

Modify Alias

Remove Alias

Custom Alias

Modify Existing Alias

Remove Custom Alias

PowerShell Functions

Naming Functions

Declaring Functions

Parameters

Popular Common Functions

Advanced Functions

Chapter 4: Up and Running with Scripting Basics

Variables

Creating and using variables

Variable scope

Global

Local

Script

Private

Data Types

String

Integer

Float and Double

Boolean

Array

Hashtable

Operators

Conditional Statements and Loops

Conditional Statements

Loops

Best Practices

PowerShell Pipeline

Common Pipeline Cmdlets

Output Formatting

Format-Table

Format-List

Format-Wide

Format-Custom

Chapter 5: Working with PowerShell Modules

Introduction to Modules

Importing and Exporting Modules

Create Custom PowerShell Module

Import Custom Module

Use Function from Imported Module

Export Specific Functions from Module

Import Specific Functions

Creating Custom Modules

Create a PowerShell Script

Create Module Manifest File

Create the Module File

Test the Module

Modify the Module

Test the Modified Module

Popular Built-in and Community Modules

Built-in Modules

Community Modules

Chapter 6: PowerShell Scripting

Writing and Executing Scripts

Plan your Script

Use Meaningful Variable Names

Test your Script

Use Error Handling

Use try-catch Block

Writing Error-free Scripts

Edit PowerShell Scripts

Understand the Script's Purpose

Make Copy of Original Script

Use Version Control

Test Script Changes

Modify Existing Script

Procedure to Modify Script

Sample Program

PowerShell Parameters

Overveiw

Positional Parameters

Named Parameters

Using Parameters in Scripts

Define Parameters in Script or Function

Use Parameters within Script or Function

Call Script or Function with Parameters

Arguments and Argument Parsing

Positional Arguments

Named Arguments

Default Values

Mandatory and Optional Parameters

Type Conversion

Validation

Implement and Parse Arguments

Create MathOperation.ps1 Script

Run Script with Arguments

Using Named Arguments

Debugging PowerShell

Write-Host and Write-Verbose

Sample Program: Write-Host and Write-Verbose

Set-PSBreakpoint

Sample Program: Set-PSBreakpoint

Chapter 7: Windows Management with PowerShell

Managing Files, Folders, and Drives

Navigating File System

Creating and Removing Directories

Creating, Reading, and Editing Files

Copying, Moving, and Renaming Files and Folders

Working with Drives

Filtering and Sorting Items

Working with File and Folder Attributes

Calculating Folder Size

Working with the Windows Registry

Navigating the Registry

Reading Registry Keys and Values

Creating and Removing Registry Keys

Creating, Modifying, and Removing Registry Values

Exporting and Importing Registry Keys

Searching Registry

Managing Processes, Services, and Event Logs

Processes

Services

Event Logs

Viewing Available Event Logs

Reading Event Logs

Filtering Event Logs

Searching for Specific Event IDs

Exporting Event Logs

Clearing Event Logs

Creating and Managing Custom Event Logs

Managing Scheduled Tasks

Listing Scheduled Tasks

Getting Information Of a Specific Task

Creating New Scheduled Task

Updating Existing Scheduled Task

Running Scheduled Task Manually

Stopping Running Scheduled Task

Enabling and Disabling Scheduled Task

Removing Scheduled Task

Chapter 8: Active Directory Management

Active Directory PowerShell Module

Discoverability

Managing Users

Managing Groups

Managing Computers

Managing Organizational Units (OUs)

Installing Active Directory Module

Manage AD Users

Manage AD Groups

Manage Computer

Manage Organizational Units (OUs)

Manage Group Policy Objects (GPOs)

Managing Active Directory Sites and Replication

Chapter 9: PowerShell Remoting

PowerShell Remoting

Windows Remote Management (WinRM)

PowerShell Sessions (PSSessions)

Implicit Remoting

Security and Authentication

Execution Policy

Remote Commands and Scriptblocks

One-to-One Remoting

Interactive Session

Invoking Commands

One-to-Many Remoting

Array Example

Text File Example

Sessions and Persistent Connections

Creating a PSSession

Executing Commands using a PSSession

Entering and Exiting Interactive PSSession

Importing Remote Commands using a PSSession

Removing a PSSession

Remote Troubleshooting and Management

Gathering System Information

Replace RemoteComputer with Remote Machine's Name

Managing Processes

Managing Windows Features

Executing Scripts on Remote Machines

Securing PowerShell Remoting

Configure WinRM Service

Use Secure Transports

Configure Firewall Rules

Use Strong Authentication Mechanisms

Restrict User Access

Configure Execution Policy

Auditing and Logging

Update PowerShell and Related Components

Chapter 10: PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC)

Introduction to DSC

DSC Benefits for SysAdmin

Writing and Applying DSC Configurations

Writing DSC Configurations

Applying DSC Configurations

Creating Custom DSC Resources

Design the Resource

Implement the Resource

Package the Resource

DSC Configuration Management and Reporting

Local Configuration Manager (LCM) Logs

DSC Reporting Through Pull Server

Chapter 11: PowerShell and System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)

Understanding SCCM

Automation

Integration

Customization

Troubleshooting

Procedure to Use SCCM with PowerShell

Load SCCM PowerShell Module

Connect to SCCM Site

Query Device Collections

Create New Device Collection

Deploy Application

Deploying and Managing Applications

Create Application in SCCM

Distribute the Application Content

Deploy Application to Target Collection

Monitor the Deployment

Managing Software Updates and Patches

Synchronize Software Updates

Create a Software Update Group

Add Updates to Software Update Group

Deploy Software Update Group

Monitor the Deployment

Operating System Deployment Automation

Create and Customize an Operating System Image

Create a Task Sequence

Add Steps to Task Sequence

Deploy the Task Sequence

Monitor the Deployment

SCCM Reporting and Monitoring

Load SCCM PowerShell Module

Retrieve SCCM Data

Generate Reports

Schedule Reports

Chapter 12: PowerShell Security and Best Practices

Secure Coding Practices

Need for Secure Coding Practices

Key Secure Coding Practices in PowerShell

PowerShell Execution Policy

Editing PowerShell Execution Policy

Sample Program to Edit Execution Policy

Bypassing PowerShell Execution Policy

Sample Program to Bypass Execution Policy

Constrained Language Mode

Overview

Enable and Disable Constrained Language Mode

Bypass Constrained Language Mode

Sample Program to Bypass Constrained Language Mode

Implementing Just Enough Administration (JEA)

Install JEA PowerShell Module

Define a Role Capability File

Create a Session Configuration File

Register the JEA Endpoint

Test the JEA Endpoint

Auditing and Logging PowerShell Activities

Necessity of Auditing and Logging PowerShell Activities

Implementing Auditing and Logging PowerShell Activities

Sample program to enable powershell logging

Sample Program to Use Script Block Logging

Chapter 13: Advanced PowerShell Techniques

Regular Expressions and Text Manipulation

-match Operator

-replace Operator

Matches() Method

Split() Method

Replace() Method

Working with XML and JSON Data

Import-Clixml

Export-Clixml

Select-Xml

ConvertTo-Xml

ConvertFrom-Json

ConvertTo-Json

Multithreading and Parallel Processing

ForEach-Object -Parallel

-ThrottleLimit

Creating Custom Cmdlets and Modules

Using .NET Framework and Assemblies

Accessing .NET Classes

Creating .NET Objects

Accessing Properties and Methods

Adding .NET Assemblies

Using .NET Assemblies

Using .NET Namespaces

Creating Custom .NET Classes

Chapter 14: PowerShell and Automation Frameworks

Introduction to Automation Frameworks

Script Organization and Management

Consistency and Best Practices

Workflow and Process Automation

Testing and Validation

Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD)

Cross-platform Compatibility

PowerShell and Ansible

Prerequisites

Configure Ansible Inventory File

Test Connection to Windows Hosts

Use PowerShell in Ansible Playbooks

Run the Playbook

Use Ansible Windows Modules

PowerShell and Chef

Prerequisites

Create a Chef Cookbook

Create Recipe to Run PowerShell Commands

Add Recipe to run-list

Upload Cookbook to Chef Server

Assign Cookbook to Windows Nodes

Run Chef Client on Windows Nodes

PowerShell and Puppet

Prerequisites

Create Puppet Module

Create Puppet Manifest to Run PowerShell Commands

Add Class to Main Manifest

Upload Module to Puppet Server

Assign Module to Windows Nodes

Run Puppet Agent on Windows Nodes

Integrating PowerShell with CI/CD Tools

Prerequisites

Install PowerShell Plugin

Create Jenkins Job

Add PowerShell Build Step

Run Jenkins Job

Configure post-build Actions (optional)

Chapter 15: Extending PowerShell and Interoperability

Extending PowerShell

Interoperability

Integrating PowerShell with Python, and Bash

Integrating PowerShell with Python

Integrating PowerShell with Bash

PowerShell and RESTful APIs

Invoke-RestMethod

Invoke-WebRequest

Creating and Consuming Web Services

Create Web Service using PowerShell

Consume Web Service

Chapter 16: Working with PowerShell Universal

Why PowerShell Universal?

Configure PowerShell Universal

Install PowerShell Universal

Configure PowerShell Universal

Access PowerShell Universal

Configure settings

Create Scripts, APIs, and Dashboards

Configure PowerShell Universal as-a-Service (optional)

Run scripts

Create New Script

Edit the Script

Run the Script

View Script Hstory and Output

Powershell scheduling

Create a New Schedule

Assign Script to Schedule

Preface

PowerShell SysAdmin Crash Course is the ultimate guide for system administrators and PowerShell users. This comprehensive resource teaches readers everything they need to know about PowerShell, from the console and cmdlets to scripting, modules, and more.

With hands-on experience and over 50 examples and demonstrations, readers will build a strong understanding of PowerShell and gain confidence in its application. They will also learn essential topics like Active Directory Management, PowerShell Remoting, DSC, SCCM, and administering software updates.

In addition, readers will discover advanced techniques such as working with JSON and XML data, parallel processing, multithreading, and creating custom cmdlets and modules. They will also learn how to integrate PowerShell with automation and configuration management tools like Ansible, Puppet, and Chef, and how to use CI/CD tools like Jenkins. The book also covers integrating PowerShell with Bash and Python scripting and utilizing PowerShell Universal for running automation scripts through a single platform.

In this book you will learn how to:

Learn everything about PowerShell, from console to cmdlets to scripting and modules.

Manage Active Directory, PowerShell Remoting, DSC, SCCM, and software updates.

Discover advanced techniques like JSON and XML data, parallel processing, and multithreading.

Create custom cmdlets and modules for automation and configuration management.

Integrate PowerShell with Ansible, Puppet, Chef, Jenkins, Bash, and Python scripting.

Use PowerShell Universal to run automation scripts through a single platform.

Say goodbye to complicated IT tasks and embrace efficient system administration with PowerShell SysAdmin Crash Course. Take control of your PowerShell skills and start learning today!

GitforGits

Prerequisites

This book is ideal for those who want to build a strong understanding of PowerShell and its application, from the basics to advanced techniques. It is also suitable for those who want to integrate PowerShell with automation and configuration management tools and other scripting languages.

Codes Usage

Are you in need of some helpful code examples to assist you in your programming and documentation? Look no further! Our book offers a wealth of supplemental material, including code examples and exercises.

Not only is this book here to aid you in getting your job done, but you have our permission to use the example code in your programs and documentation. However, please note that if you are reproducing a significant portion of the code, we do require you to contact us for permission.

But don't worry, using several chunks of code from this book in your program or answering a question by citing our book and quoting example code does not require permission. But if you do choose to give credit, an attribution typically includes the title, author, publisher, and ISBN. For example, PowerShell SysAdmin Crash Course by Steeve Lee.

If you are unsure whether your intended use of the code examples falls under fair use or the permissions outlined above, please do not hesitate to reach out to us at [e-mail]. 

We are happy to assist and clarify any concerns.

Acknowledgement

I owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to GitforGits, my editor, for their unflagging enthusiasm and wise counsel throughout the entire process of writing this book. Their knowledge and careful editing helped make sure the piece was useful for people of all reading levels and comprehension skills. In addition, I'd like to thank everyone involved in the publishing process for their efforts in making this book a reality. Their efforts, from copyediting to advertising, made the project what it is today.

Finally, I'd like to express my gratitude to everyone who has shown me unconditional love and encouragement throughout my life. Their support was crucial to the completion of this book. I appreciate your help with this endeavour and your continued interest