Having taught both A+ and Python courses, I have used IP subnetting as a topic to teach some fundamentals about logic. This is an important skill for IT professionals and developers to understand, yet there are so many that have not picked up these concepts. In this post, I will explain: What is subnetting? Why … Continue reading IP Subnetting and ANDing
Pester for Infrastructure Validation
I have been using Pester and integrated it with my dxExchange.WebServices module following HDD/TDD practices. I have wanted to start incorporating Pester testing into cloud configuration validation and management for some time, but never really got around to it. A couple of weeks ago, I participated in a Network DevOps course facilitated by Nick Russo … Continue reading Pester for Infrastructure Validation
An Overly Aggressive Security Posture?
It is quite easy for security professionals to get aggressive with introducing controls into systems. I should know, I have worked with so many and I hold a CISSP, myself. But the overall intent of security is to make sure that systems are available for legitimate purposes. The old notion that the only secure system … Continue reading An Overly Aggressive Security Posture?
Installing a New Domain Controller with Windows Server 2012 R2 Server Core
https://youtu.be/tSdigf4cEqg In this video, I demonstrate how to: 1. Utilize PowerShell to rename the computer and configure network settings 2. Utilize PowerShell to join a Windows Server 2012 R2 Server Core system to a domain 3. Utilize PowerShell to install the appropriate components to support Active Directory Domain Services and DNS, and become a … Continue reading Installing a New Domain Controller with Windows Server 2012 R2 Server Core
Splitting CSV files in PowerShell with Split-Csv
In the course of my work, I am often times dealing with large CSV files that need to be broken up into smaller files, for whatever reason. If the CSV file has a header, I can't simply use something that breaks up the file by number of lines because I need to retain the header … Continue reading Splitting CSV files in PowerShell with Split-Csv
Moving an AD User from One Group to Another via PowerShell
This week I had a request that seemed rather simple. Given a CSV file containing the User Principal Name of the user, determine if the user is a member of a specific Active Directory group, remove it, and add it as a member to another specific Active Directory group. I am not sure of what … Continue reading Moving an AD User from One Group to Another via PowerShell
Desired State Configuration, the Next Thing
PowerShell has been the topic for Windows systems administrators and engineers to learn ever since the release of Exchange Server 2007, the first major product to utilize PowerShell. Many IT professionals are still behind the curve on adopting PowerShell and I highly recommend getting on the ball and becoming not just familiar, but intimate, with … Continue reading Desired State Configuration, the Next Thing
Dustin Dortch 