Advanced Automated Administration with Windows PowerShell®

Producing Complex Function Output

Documenting Functions by using Content-Based Help

Supporting -Whatif and -Confirm

Converting a Command into an Advanced Function

Creating a Script Module

Defining Parameter Attributes and Input Validation

Writing Functions that use Multiple Objects

Writing Functions that Accept Pipeline Input

Producing Complex Function Output

Documenting Functions by using Content-Based Help

Supporting -Whatif and -Confirm

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Parameterize a command and create an advanced function.

Convert a script and function into a script module.

Define parameter attributes and input validation for a function.

Enumerate objects by using scripting constructs.

Modify a function to accept pipeline input.

Produce complex pipeline output in a function.

Document a function by using comment-based Help.

Create functions that support –WhatIf and –Confirm.

PowerShell provides commands that accomplish many of the tasks that you will need in a production environment. Sometimes, a command is not available but the .NET Framework provides an alternate means of accomplishing a task. Because Windows PowerShell is built on the .NET Framework, it is able to access those alternate means. In this module, you will learn how to discover and run Windows PowerShell commands, and how to use .NET Framework components from inside Windows PowerShell. These two techniques will provide you with the most flexibility and capability for accomplishing tasks in a production environment.

Running Windows PowerShell Commands

Using Microsoft .NET Framework in Windows PowerShell

Lab : Using .NET Framework in Windows PowerShell

Using Static and Instance Members

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Discover Windows PowerShell commands by using the Help system.

Describe and use .NET Framework classes and instances in Windows PowerShell.

In this module, students will learn how to combine tools – advanced functions that perform a specific task – and a controller script that provides a user interface or automates a business process.

Lessons

Understanding Controller Scripts

Writing Controller Scripts that Show a User Interface

Writing Controller Scripts That Produce Reports

Write Functions to be Used in the Controller Script

Write a Controller Script that Implements a Text-Based Menu

Writing Functions To Be Used in the Controller Script

Writing a Controller Script That Produces HTML Reports

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Describe the difference between tools and controller scripts.

Write controller scripts that present a user interface.

Write controller scripts that automate a business process.

In this module, students will learn how to perform basic error handling in scripts. The focus will be about how to add error handling to existing tools, primarily as a time-saving mechanism (instead of having students write new tools). A side benefit of this approach is that it will help build the skills that you must have to analyze and reuse existing code written by someone else.

Understanding Error Handling

Handling Errors in a Script

Handling Errors in a Script

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Describe the shell’s default error response mechanisms.

Add error handling code to existing tools.

In this module, students will learn how to read, manipulate, and write data in XML files. XML files provide a robust, yet straightforward way to store both flat and hierarchical data. XML files are more flexible than CSV, more accessible for small amounts of data than SQL Server, and easier to code against that Excel automation.

Reading, Manipulating and Writing Data in XML

Testing the Provided Tools

Updating an XML Inventory Document

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Read, manipulate, and write data in XML.

In this module, students will learn how to write Desired State Configuration (DSC) configuration files, deploy those files to servers, and monitor servers’ configurations.

Lessons

Understanding Desired State Configuration

Creating and Deploying a DSC Configuration

Writing, Running and Pushing a DSC Configuration

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Describe the architecture and deployment models of DSC.

Write and deploy DSC configuration files.

In this module, students will learn how to use native Windows PowerShell features to analyze and debug existing scripts. These skills are also useful when students have to debug their own scripts.

Debugging in Windows PowerShell

Analyzing and Debugging and Existing Script

Analyzing and Debugging and Existing Script

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Describe the debugging features of Windows PowerShell.

Analyze and debug an existing script.

In this module, students will learn about the features of the Windows PowerShell Workflow technology.

Understanding Windows PowerShell Workflow

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Describe the Workflow feature of Windows PowerShell.