PowerShell: Automating Administrative Tasks by Brenton J.W. Blawat

Key FeaturesUse proven best practices to optimize code and automate redundant tasksGet to grips with PowerShells advanced functions and effectively administer your systemCreate a variety of PowerShell scripts to automate your environmentBook DescriptionAre you tired of managing Windows administrative tasks manually and are looking to automate the entire process? If yes, then this is the right course for you.This learning path starts your PowerShell journey and will help you automate the administration of the Windows operating system and applications that run on Windows. It will get you up and running with PowerShell, taking you from the basics of installation to writing scripts and performing web server automation. You will explore the PowerShell environment and discover how to use cmdlets, functions, and scripts to automate Windows systems.The next installment of the course focuses on gaining concrete knowledge of Windows PowerShell scripting to perform professional-level scripting. The techniques here are packed with PowerShell scripts and sample C# code to automate tasks. You will use .NET classes in PowerShell and C# to manage Exchange Online.In the final section, you will delve into real-world examples to learn how to simplify the management of your Windows environment. You will get to grips with PowerShells advanced functions and how to most effectively administer your system.This Learning Path combines some of the best that Packt has to offer in one complete, curated package. It includes content from the following Packt products:Getting Started with PowerShell by Michael ShepardWindows PowerShell for .Net Developers Second Edition by Chendrayan Venkatesan and Sherif TalaatMastering Windows PowerShell Scripting by Brenton J.W. BlawatWhat you will learnDiscover PowerShell commands and cmdlets and understand PowerShell formattingSolve common problems using basic file input/output functionsUse .NET classes in Windows PowerShell and C# and manage Exchange OnlineUse PowerShell in C# to manage Exchange Online and work with .NET classes in PowerShellAutomate LYNC clients, consuming client-side object models to administrate SharePoint OnlineOptimize code through the use of functions, switches, and looping structuresManage files, folders, and registries through the use of PowerShellDiscover best practices to manage Microsoft systemsAbout the AuthorMichael Shepard has been working with computers since the early 1980s, starting with an Apple II at school and a Commodore 64 at home. He first worked in IT in 1989 and has been a full-time professional in this field since 1997. He has been working at Jack Henry and Associates since 2000. Mikes focus has changed over the years from being a database application developer to a DBA (an application administrator), and he is now a solutions architect. In his years as a DBA, he found PowerShell to be a critical component in creating the automation required to keep up with a growing set of servers and applications. He is active in the PowerShell community on StackOverflow and in the projects on CodePlex. He has been blogging about PowerShell since 2009 at https://powershellstation.com and is the author of the PowerShell Troubleshooting Guide by Packt.Chendrayan Venkatesan (Chen V) is a SharePoint IT Professional who has worked for the Information, Computer, and Technology industry since 2005. Chen V started his career as a Windows XP technical support engineer and became a SharePoint IT Pro in the year 2007. He mainly focuses on automating Microsoft Technologies such as SharePoint, LYNC, and Exchange. He was awarded the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) in 2014. He speaks on Windows PowerShell, SharePoint Servers, Content Management, and IT Process Automations. He blogs at http://chen.about-powershell.com and mentors three IT professionals in PowerShell. He is a TechNet Wiki addict and has introduced Windows PowerShell as a category in the TechNet Wiki Guru award competition. To connect with Chen V you can visit his website http://about-powershell.com or choose your favorite social media: Twitter at @ChendrayanV or LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/chendrayanv.Sherif Talaat is a young computer science addict. He holds many technology certificates and has been working in the ICT industry since 2005. He has worked on Microsofts core infrastructure platforms and solutions with a focus on the cloud and data center management, IT Process Automation (ITPA), and scripting techniques.Sherif was one of the early adopters of Windows PowerShell in the Middle East and Africa. He speaks about Windows PowerShell at technical events and user group gatherings. He is also the founder of the Egypt PowerShell User Group and the author of the first and only Arabic PowerShell blog.He has been awarded the Egyptian MCIT Shield and has won the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) award for PowerShell seven times in a row since 2009. He is also the author of three different Windows PowerShell titles for IT professionals and developers. Last but not least, he is also a TED conference speaker.You can learn more about him at http://sheriftalaat.com and follow him on Twitter at @SherifTalaat.Brenton J.W. Blawat is an entrepreneur, strategic technical advisor, author, and senior consultant with a passion for the procurement of technology in profit-based organizations. He is business-centric and technology-minded. Brenton has many years of experience in bridging the gap between technical staff and decision-makers in several organizations. He takes pride in his ability to effectively communicate with a diverse audience and provide strategic direction for large and small organizations alike.In 2013, Brenton authored his first book, Instant Windows PowerShell 3.0 WMI Starter, for Packt. This book was designed to be a starter for those interested in manipulating Windows Management Instrumentation through the use of PowerShell 3.0. This book is available in all popular book stores, including Packts website: http://bit.ly/18pcpGK.Brenton currently works at CDW as a senior consulting engineer in strategic solutions and services. CDW is a leading multibrand technology solutions provider in the fields of business, government, education, and healthcare. A Fortune 500 company, it was founded in 1984 and employs approximately 7,200 coworkers. In 2014, the company generated net sales of more than $12.0 billion. For more information about CDW, you can visit www.CDW.com.Table of ContentsFirst StepsBuilding BlocksObjects and PowerShellLife on the Assembly LineFormatting OutputScriptsFunctionsModulesFile I/OWMI and CIMWeb Server AdministrationGetting Started with Windows PowerShellUnleashing Development Skills Using Windows PowerShell 5.0Exploring Desired State ConfigurationPowerShell and Web TechnologiesExploring Application Programming InterfaceVariables, Arrays, and HashesData Parsing and ManipulationComparison OperatorsFunctions, Switches, and Loops StructuresRegular ExpressionsError and Exception Handling and Testing CodeSession-based Remote ManagementManaging Files, Folders, and Registry ItemsFile, Folder, and Registry Attributes, ACLs, and PropertiesWindows Management InstrumentationXML ManipulationManaging Microsoft Systems with PowerShellAutomation of the EnvironmentScript Creation Best Practices and ConclusionBibliography