Automating Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008 R2 with Windows PowerShell® 2.0

Automating Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008 R2 with Windows PowerShell® 2.0

by Matthew Hester, Sarah Dutkiewicz
Released May 2011
Publisher(s): Sybex
ISBN: 9781118013861

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Book description

Learn to automate the top server operating system, Windows Server 2008 R2

Windows PowerShell 2.0 allows you to automate nearly any task for managing Windows Server, going from dozens of clicks to a single command, and repeated tasks to automated tasks. Using screen shots and helpful exercises, this book walks you through the many benefits of automating Windows Server with PowerShell 2.0, such as allowing for scalable, flexible, and rapid deployments and changes; increasing cost effectiveness; providing a timely return on IT investment; lowering labor headcount; creating secure computing environments; and establishing reliable enterprise infrastructures. In addition, real-world examples provide reinforced learning, aimed at ensuring that you work as efficiently and effectively as possible by automating both simple and complex administrative tasks with Powershell 2.0.

  • Explains how to automate both simple and complex tasks in Windows Server 2008 R2 with Powershell 2.0

  • Addresses how Windows Server 2008 R2 comes with more than 550 cmdlets, allowing you to automate nearly anything

  • Offers numerous real-world examples, end-of-chapter exercises, and helpful screen shots to reinforce your learning process

The power is in your hands! Start working smarter, not harder, by automating Windows Server 2008 R2 tasks with Powershell 2.0.

Table of contents

  1. Cover Page
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Dear Reader,
  5. Dedication
  6. Acknowledgments
  7. ABOUT THE AUTHORS
  8. CONTENTS AT A GLANCE
  9. TABLE OF CONTENTS
  10. INTRODUCTION
    1. Who Should Read This Book
    2. What Is Covered in This Book
    3. How to Contact the Author
  11. CHAPTER 1: What Is PowerShell, and Why Do You Need It?
    1. Why PowerShell?
    2. What's New in PowerShell 2.0?
    3. PowerShell Has Something for Everyone
  12. CHAPTER 2: Installing and Configuring PowerShell 2.0
    1. Configure PowerShell 2.0 on Windows Server 2008 R2
    2. Install PowerShell 2.0 on Windows Server 2008 R2 Core
    3. Install PowerShell 2.0 on Other Operating Systems
  13. CHAPTER 3: PowerShell Grammar Lesson
    1. Break Down PowerShell: A Lesson on Cmdlets
    2. Help Yourself with PowerShell
    3. Use Even More Commands with Modules
  14. CHAPTER 4: Aliases, Functions, and the Pipe, Oh My!
    1. Use Aliases
    2. Use Functions
    3. Work with the Pipe Operator
  15. CHAPTER 5: Creating Your Own Scripts
    1. Create Your Own Scripts
    2. Understand Security and PowerShell Scripts
    3. Work with the GUI and the Shell
  16. CHAPTER 6: Remoting with PowerShell 2.0
    1. Configure PowerShell Remoting
    2. Run Commands on Remote Systems
  17. CHAPTER 7: Server Essentials in PowerShell
    1. Work with Your Server in PowerShell
    2. Add Reliability to Your Server
    3. Use Other PowerShell Utilities for the Server
  18. CHAPTER 8: Managing Active Directory with PowerShell
    1. Work with Active Directory
    2. Understand Managed Service Accounts
    3. Work with the Active Directory Recycle Bin
  19. CHAPTER 9: Managing Desktops with PowerShell
    1. Access Group Policy
    2. Manage Group Policy
    3. Manage AppLocker
  20. CHAPTER 10: Managing IIS Web Server with PowerShell
    1. Use PowerShell and IIS
    2. Deploy Websites, Application Pools, and Virtual Directories with PowerShell
  21. CHAPTER 11: PowerShell and Deployment Services
    1. Work with Windows Deployment Services
    2. Work with the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit
  22. CHAPTER 12: PowerShell and Virtualization
    1. Install and Access Hyper-V
    2. Work with Hyper-V
  23. APPENDIX A: Solutions to Exercises
    1. Solution 1: Inventory Your Scripts
    2. Solution 2: Install PowerShell
    3. Solution 3: Create a PowerShell Profile
    4. Solution 4: Create Your Own Alias
    5. Solution 5: Create a Script to Find Startup Programs
    6. Solution 6: Set Up a Remote PowerShell Session
    7. Solution 7: Create a Scheduled Backup with PowerShell
    8. Solution 8: Populate an Active Directory Test Environment
    9. Solution 9: Turn Off the Display Control Panel in Group Policy with PowerShell
    10. Solution 10: Create a Website with PowerShell
    11. Solution 11: Create a Deployment Share
    12. Solution 12: Create a Virtual Machine and Take a Snapshot
  24. APPENDIX B: Developing at a Command Prompt
    1. Choose Between the ISE and the Command Prompt
    2. Work with Objects in PowerShell
  25. APPENDIX C: Providing for PowerShell
    1. Work with Built-in Providers
    2. Work with Additional Providers
    3. Install and Remove Providers
    4. Create Your Own Provider
  26. APPENDIX D: Custom Cmdlets and Advanced Functions
    1. Choose Between an Advanced Function and a Cmdlet
    2. Create an Advanced Function
    3. Create a Custom Cmdlet
  27. APPENDIX E: Packaging PowerShell Extensions
    1. Work with Existing Snap-ins
    2. Create a Custom Module
  28. APPENDIX F: Building Your Own GUI with PowerShell
    1. Choose Between WinForms and WPF
    2. Create a GUI in PowerShell
  29. INDEX

Product information

  • Title: Automating Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008 R2 with Windows PowerShell® 2.0
  • Author(s): Matthew Hester, Sarah Dutkiewicz
  • Release date: May 2011
  • Publisher(s): Sybex
  • ISBN: 9781118013861