Automating Administration with PowerShell (AZ-040)

Windows PowerShell for local system administration

This module will familiarize you with the different types of cmdlets that are commonly used for system administration. While you can search for cmdlets every time you need to perform a task, it is more efficient to have at least a basic understanding of these cmdlets. This module also explains how to install and use Windows PowerShell.

Lessons

• Active Directory Domain Services Administration cmdlets
• Cmdlets for the network configuration
• Server administration cmdlets

Lab : Creating a website
Lab : Configuring network settings on Windows Server
Lab : Creating and managing Active Directory objects

Working with the Windows PowerShell pipeline

This module introduces the pipeline function of Windows PowerShell. The pipeline function is contained in several command line shells, e.g. in the command prompt of the Windows operating system. However, the pipeline feature in Windows PowerShell offers more complex, flexible and powerful functionality compared to other shells. This module provides you with skills and knowledge to help you use Windows PowerShell more effectively and efficiently.

Lessons

• Understanding the pipeline
• Select, sort and measure objects
• Filter objects out of the pipeline
• Enumerating objects in the pipeline
• Send and forward pipeline data as output

Lab : Selecting, sorting and displaying data
Lab : Filtering objects
Lab : Enumerating objects
Lab : Converting objects

Using PSProviders and PSDrives
This module introduces the PSProviders and PSDrives adapters. A PSProvider is basically a Windows PowerShell adapter that makes a form of storage similar to a hard disk drive. A PSDrive is an actual connection to a form of storage. You can use these two adapters to work with different forms of storage using the same commands and techniques that you use to manage the file system.

Lessons

• Use of PSProviders
• Use of PSDrives

Lab : Create a new Active Directory group
Lab : Create a registry key for your future scripts
Lab : Create files and folders on a remote computer

Query management information using CIM and WMI
This module introduces you to two parallel technologies: Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) and Common Information Model (CIM). Both technologies enable local and remote access to a repository of management information, including access to robust information available about the operating system, computer hardware and installed software.

Lessons

• Understanding CIM and WMI
• Querying data with the help of CIM and WMI
• Changes with the help of CIM and WMI

Lab : Querying information using WMI
Lab : Querying information using CIM
Lab : Calling methods

Working with variables, arrays and hash tables
This module provides you with the skills and knowledge required to use variables, arrays and hash tables in Windows PowerShell.

Lessons

• Use variables
• Manipulating variables
• Manipulating arrays and hash tables

Lab : Using Hash Tables
Lab : Using Arrays
Lab : Working with Variable Types

Windows PowerShell Scripting
This module explains how to wrap a Windows PowerShell command in a script. Scripts allow you to perform repetitive tasks and more complex tasks that cannot be accomplished with a single command.

Lessons

• Introduction to scripting with Windows PowerShell
• Script constructs
• Importing data from files
• Accept user input
• Troubleshooting and error handling
• Functions and modules

Lab : Signing a Script
Lab : Processing an Array with a ForEach Loop
Lab : Processing Items Using If Statements
Lab : Creating Users Based on a CSV File
Lab : Retrieving Disk Information from Remote Computers
Lab : Update the script to use alternate credentials

Manage Remote Computers with Windows PowerShell
This module introduces you to Windows PowerShell remoting technology, which enables you to connect to one or more remote computers and instruct them to run commands on your behalf.

Lessons

• Using basic Windows PowerShell remoting
• Using advanced Windows PowerShell remoting techniques
• Using PSSessions

Lab : Manage multiple computers
Lab : Use implicit remoting
Lab : Perform one-to-many remoting
Lab : Perform one-to-many remoting
Lab : Enable remoting on the local computer

Manage Azure resources with PowerShell
This module provides information about Azure PowerShell. It also introduces Azure Cloud Shell. It explains how to manage Azure VMs with PowerShell. The module also describes how to manage storage and Azure subscriptions with Azure PowerShell.

Lessons

• Azure PowerShell
• Introduction of Azure Cloud Shell
• Managing Azure VMs with PowerShell
• Manage storage and subscriptions

Lab : Install the Azure PowerShell module
Lab : Install Cloud Shell
Lab : Manage Azure resources with Azure PowerShell

Manage Microsoft 365 services with PowerShell
This module describes how to use PowerShell to manage Microsoft 365 user accounts, licenses and groups, Exchange Online, SharePoint Online and Microsoft Teams.

Lessons

• Manage Microsoft 365 user accounts, licenses and groups with PowerShell
• Managing Exchange Online, SharePoint Online and Microsoft Teams with PowerShell

Lab : Manage Exchange Online resources with Windows PowerShell
Lab : Manage SharePoint Online with Windows PowerShell
Lab : Manage Microsoft 365 user and group objects with Windows PowerShell
Lab : Connect to Microsoft 365 with Windows PowerShell

Using background jobs and scheduled jobs
This module describes how to use background jobs and scheduled jobs. It also explains how to create schedule jobs and retrieve job results.

Lessons

• Use background jobs
• Use scheduled orders

Lab : Starting and managing orders
Lab : Creating a scheduled order