Windows Server 2019 & PowerShell All-in-One For Dummies

Chapter 5

PowerShell Desired State Configuration

IN THIS CHAPTER

Introducing PowerShell Desired State Configuration

Making your first PowerShell Desired State Configuration script

Using the PowerShell Desired State Configuration script

Implementing PowerShell Desired State Configuration at scale

PowerShell Desired State Configuration (DSC) enables system administrators to configure systems and keep them in compliance with set organizational baselines. It’s sometimes referred to Configuration as Code.

In this chapter, I introduce you to PowerShell DSC and tell you how to create a DSC script and how to apply it.

Getting an Overview of PowerShell Desired State Configuration

DSC was introduced in PowerShell version 4. It provided a simple way to specify what you wanted a system to be, instead of having to build a system one line of code at a time. I like to compare it to baking: Traditional PowerShell is like following the recipe; DSC is like saying, “I want this,” and handing the picture of a cake to the baker.

DSC is exceptionally powerful. It can be used to install roles and features, ...