IT Administrator's Top 10 Introductory Scripts for Windows by Jeff Fellinge

From Barnes & Noble

The Barnes & Noble Review
Windows scripting can simplify the life of any admin. Here’s a complete toolbox of scripts that’ll save you time right out of the box. They’re crafted for easy extensibility -- and everything’s annotated and explained, from the planning to the coding.

For example, you’ll learn how to script Active Directory with ADSI -- and, along the way, get tools for listing users, groups, soon-to-expire accounts, and detailed account information.

There’s a slick XML-based logon script for easy system patching. You’ll find scripts for capturing support information and quickly identifying systems vulnerable to worms, as well as a modular script for sending email alerts: Add it to virtually any admin script you write. Very handy. Bill Camarda

Bill Camarda is a consultant, writer, and web/multimedia content developer. His 15 books include Special Edition Using Word 2003 and Upgrading & Fixing Networks for Dummies, Second Edition.

From the Publisher

The IT Administrator's Top 10 Introductory Scripts for Windows helps administrators learn, and quickly implement, new scripting tools to increase productivity and reduce redundancy. It teaches readers scripting basics by explaining and breaking down real-world examples, and focuses on harnessing scripting power for IT systems administrators and systems engineers. The book is built around 10 fully-functional scripts that will help IT administrators manage their environment right "out of the box." Administrators also learn the strategies and tactics surrounding the development and implementation of these real-world scripts. Additionally, the chapters cover hypothetical, real-world business needs and explain how to map a script-based solution, including a discussion of the preferred language, tools, and technologies.

FEATURES

• Teaches scripting through 10 real-world scripts that will help increase productivity immediately
• Provides a hands-on reference that can be used "out of the box" for administrative scripting purposes
• Includes scripts for how to dump a domain users detailed account information, listing soon-to-expire domain user accounts, an XML-powered logon script, a worm vulnerability scanner, a computer management tool, a password archive and change tool, and more
• Focuses on new technologies such as ADSI, WSH, WMI, and XML
• Discusses the benefits and drawbacks of using different scripting tools and technologies to create VB script, Jscript, and VBA-based scripts
• Includes a companion CD-ROM with the source code for all 10 scripts

Jeff Fellinge (Bellevue, WA) is the Information Security Officer at aQuantive Inc. He has contributed to numerous magazines such as Windows .NET, Security Administrator, and Connected Home.

Library Journal

Here are two new books on Windows scripting. After several introductory chapters explaining the subject in general, Top 10 presents ten practical problems and walks readers step by step through creating scripts to solve them using Windows 2000, XP, or 2003 platforms. It shows how automating common tasks eases administrators' burdens and how they might build their own scripting tools for problems not covered here. The CD includes source code and project files. For medium and larger libraries and beginning to intermediate administrators; recommended for its real-world focus and clear, thorough explanations.

Product Details

• Table of Contents

Table of Contents