55318A is the Community Courseware equivalent of retired MOC course 10962 - Advanced Automated Administration with Windows Powershell. It will help individuals who use PowerShell scripting for domain, network, and application administration. The primary focus of the exercises and labs is Windows PowerShell but much of the material may also be used with PowerShell Core.
The examples and demonstrations cover a wide range of services that PowerShell can be used with. Students will be able to practice using PowerShell with Active Directory, IIS, .NET resources, SMTP, SQL Server, and various file formats used for input / output operations such as JSON, XML and CSV. The virtual machines used for the class are built with PowerShell and the scripts are made available to students so they can build their own lab environment in Microsoft Azure or Hyper-V using the skills they learn in class.
Skills Gained
- Create advanced functions.
- Use Microsoft .NET Framework and REST API in Windows PowerShell.
- Handle script errors.
- Use XML, JSON, and custom formatted data.
- Manage Microsoft Azure resources
- Analyze and debug scripts
- Understand Windows PowerShell workflow.
Who Can Benefit
This course is intended for IT professionals who are experienced in general Windows Server and Windows Client administration. Students should have a foundational knowledge of Windows PowerShell, which they can obtain by taking course 10961C: Automating Administration with Windows PowerShell.
In addition, this course provides scripting guidance for Microsoft Azure administrators and developers who support development environments and deployment processes.
Prerequisites
- Experience as a Windows System Administor
- Prior scripting or programming experience
- All the prerequisites can be met by successfully taking the 10961 Automating Administration with Windows PowerShell course
Outline
Module 1: Creating advanced functions
This module explains how to parameterize a command into an advanced function.
Lessons
- Lesson 1: Converting a command into an advanced function
- Lesson 2: Creating a script module
- Lesson 3: Defining parameter attributes and input validation
- Lesson 4: Writing functions that accept pipeline input
- Lesson 5: Producing complex pipeline output
- Lesson 6: Using comment-based Help
- Lesson 7: Using Whatif and Confirm parameters
Lab 1: Creating advanced functions
- Exercise 1: Converting a command into a function
- Exercise 2: Creating a script module
- Exercise 3: Defining parameter attributes
- Exercise 4: Writing functions to accept pipeline input
- Exercise 5: Producing complex function output
- Exercise 6: Using comment-based Help
- Exercise 7: Using Whatif and Confirm parameters
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Convert a command into an advanced function.
- Create a script module.
- Define parameter attributes and input validation.
- Write functions that accept pipeline input.
- Produce complex pipeline output.
- Document functions by using comment-based help.
- Support -WhatIf and -Confirm.
Module 2: Using Microsoft .NET Framework and REST API in Windows PowerShell
This module explains how to use Microsoft .NET Framework and REST API to supplement functionality that Windows PowerShell commands provide.
Lessons - Lesson 1: Using .NET Framework in PowerShell
- Lesson 2: Using REST API in PowerShell
Lab 1: Using Microsoft .NET Framework and REST API in Windows PowerShell
- Exercise 1: Using .NET Framework in PowerShell
- Exercise 2: Using REST API in PowerShell
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Use Microsoft .NET Framework in Windows PowerShell.
- Use REST API in Windows PowerShell.
Module 3: Writing controller scripts
This module explains how to combine advanced functions that perform a specific task and a controller script that provides a user interface or automates a business process.
Lessons - Lesson 1: Understanding controller scripts
- Lesson 2: Writing controller scripts with a user interface
- Lesson 3: Writing controller scripts that create reports
Lab 1: Writing controller scripts
- Exercise 1: Understanding controller scripts
- Exercise 2: Writing controller scripts with a user interface
- Exercise 3: Writing controller scripts that create reports
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Describe controller scripts.
- Write controller scripts that display a user interface.
- Write controller scripts that produce reports.
Module 4: Handling script errors
This module explains how to perform basic error handling in scripts.
Lessons - Lesson 1: Understanding error handling
- Lesson 2: Handling errors in a script
Lab 1: Handling script errors
- Exercise 1: Understanding error handling
- Exercise 2: Handling errors in a script
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Describe error handling.
- Handle errors and timeouts in a script.
Module 5: Using XML, JSON, and custom-formatted data
This module explains how to read, manipulate, and write data in XML and JSON format.
Lessons - Lesson 1: Working with XML formatted data
- Lesson 2: Working with JSON formatted data
- Lesson 3: Working with custom-formatted data
Lab 1: Working with XML and JSON formatted data
- Exercise 1: Working with XML formatted data
- Exercise 2: Working with JSON formatted data
- Exercise 3: Working with custom-formatted data
- Exercise 4: Using PowerShell Core (Optional)
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Read, manipulate, and write XML-formatted data
- Read, manipulate, and write JSON-formatted data
- Read and manipulate custom-formatted data
Module 6: Enhancing server management with Desired State Configuration and Just Enough Administration
This module explains how to write Desired State Configuration (DSC) configuration files, deploy those files to servers, and monitor server's configurations. This module also explains how to restrict administrative access with Just Enough Administration (JEA).
Lessons - Lesson 1: Implementing Desired State Configuration
- Lesson 2: Implementing Just Enough Administration
Lab 1: Creating and deploying a DSC configuration
- Exercise 1: Implementing Desired State Configuration
- Exercise 2: Implementing Just Enough Administration
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Understand DSC.
- Create and deploy a DSC configuration.
- Implement JEA.
Module 7: Analyzing and debugging scripts
This module explains how to use native Windows PowerShell features to analyze and debug existing scripts
Lessons - Lesson 1: Debugging in Windows PowerShell
- Lesson 2: Analyzing and debugging an existing script
Lab 1: Analyzing and debugging scripts
- Exercise 1: Debugging in Windows PowerShell
- Exercise 2: Analyzing and debugging an existing script
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Debug in Windows PowerShell.
- Analyze and debug an existing script.
Module 8: Understanding Windows PowerShell Workflow
This module explains the features of the Windows PowerShell Workflow technology.
Lessons - Lesson 1: Understanding Windows PowerShell Workflows
- Lesson 2: Running Windows PowerShell Workflows
Lab 1: Create and run Windows PowerShell Workflows
- Exercise 1: Understanding Windows PowerShell Workflows
- Exercise 2: Running Windows PowerShell Workflows
After completing this module, students will be able to:
- Describe and implement the Workflow feature of Windows PowerShell.
