Automating Administration with Windows PowerShell

Module 1: Getting Started with Windows PowerShell

In this module students will learn a bit about PowerShell’s purpose and history, and will learn the basics of using the shell, including the help system, command syntax, command discovery and more.

• Overview and Background
• Finding and Running Commands
   

Module 2: Working with the Pipeline

In this module students will learn to use PowerShell’s pipeline, along with a number of new commands, to start retrieving, manipulating, and displaying data. An emphasis is placed on proper syntax and form.

• Working with the Pipeline
• Exporting, Importing and Converting Data
• Filtering Objects Out of the Pipeline
• Enumerating Objects in the Pipeline
   

Module 3: Understanding How the Pipeline Works

In this module students will learn the underlying details of how commands are passed from one command to another in the pipeline. Having seen it in action, they’ll now get to see some of the theory under the hood. The emphasis will be in the ByValue and ByPropertyName techniques, with demonstrations that illustrate effective uses of each. Students will also learn techniques that can be used in lieu of pipeline binding, for when such binding is unavailable or ineffective.

• Passing Data in the Pipeline ByValue
• Passing Data in the Pipeline ByPropertyName
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Module 4: Using PSProviders and PSDrives

In this module students will learn about PSProviders and PSDrives, and learn to use –Item* commands to manipulate items within a PSDrive.

• Understanding PSProviders and PSDrives
• Using PSDrives
   

Module 5: Formatting Output

In this module students will learn to manipulate command output to create customized on-screen, text file, and hardcopy results

• Using Basic Formatting
• Using Advanced Formatting
• Redirecting Formatted Output
   

Module 6: Using WMI and CIM

In this module students will learn to use Windows Management Instrumentation / Common Information Model (WMI/CIM) to retrieve, and in some cases, modify management information about local and remote computers.

• Understanding WMI/CIM
• Querying Data with WMI/CIM
• Making Changes with WMI/CIM
   

Module 7: Prepare for Scripting

In this module students will learn about pre-requisite features to writing PowerShell scripts, including variables and PowerShell’s scripting security features.

• Using Variables
• Scripting Security
• Working with Alternate Credentials
   

Module 8: Moving From a Command to a Script to a Module

In this module students will learn to take a command that runs well in the console, and turn it into a reusable script. A number of important concepts, such as error handling, will be introduced – but not explored in extreme depth. Students will be taught enough to be “immediately effective” with these concepts, but not given an exhaustive education. The point is to get them started in an effective fashion using best practices, and to give them a basis for further independent exploration.

• Moving From Command to Script
• Moving From Script to Function to Module
• Implementing Basic Error Handling
• Using Basic Scripting Constructs
• Further Exploration in Scripting
   

Module 9: Administering Remote Computers

In this module students will learn how to configure and use PowerShell Remoting

• Using Basic Remoting
• Using Remote Sessions
• Using Remoting for Delegated Administration
   

Module 10: Putting it All Together

In this module students will utilize much of what they’ve learned to this point in a practical, from-scratch-exercise to configure a newly-installed Server Core computer.

• Planning the Script

Module 11: Using Background Jobs and Scheduled Jobs:

In this module students will learn to create and manage background jobs and scheduled jobs.

• Using Background Jobs
• Using Scheduled Jobs
   

Module 12: Using Advanced PowerShell Techniques and Profiles

In this module students will learn several additional techniques and feature of Windows PowerShell.

• Using Advanced PowerShell Techniques
• Creating Profile Scripts

Before attending this course, students must have:

• Previous Windows Server and Windows Client management knowledge and hands on experience.
• Experience Installing and Configuring Windows Server into existing enterprise environments, or as standalone installations.
• Knowledge and experience of network adapter configuration, basic Active Directory user administration, and basic disk configuration.
• Knowledge and hands on experience specifically with Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8 would be of benefit but is not essential.