55202: PowerShell 5.0 and Desired State Configuration Training

This module explains how the class will be structured and introduces course materials and additional administrative information.

Introduction

Course Materials

Facilities

Prerequisites

What We'll Be Discussing

Lab: Course Overview

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Successfully log into their virtual machine.

Have a full understanding of what the course intends to cover.

In this module, we explain Desired State Configuration (DSC), the concepts needed to understand the basics of how it works and discuss the features added in the two latest versions.

Understanding Desired State Configuration

Understanding DSC Metaphor

PowerShell is Imperative, or Declarative, or Both?

Exploring DSC from 30,000 Feet!

Examining Why to Put Effort into DSC (Or Inspire Me Dude)?

Understanding DSC Requirements

Examining PowerShell Version 4: DSC Features Added

Exploring PowerShell Version 5: DSC Improvements

Lab: PowerShell 5.0 Desired State Configuration Introduction

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Understand Desired State Configuration.

Understand that PowerShell handles both imperative and declarative language.

Understand DSC requirements.

Understand features added to version 4 of PowerShell.

Understand features added to version 5 of PowerShell.

DSC utilizes DSC resources to determine whether or not the current state of the node matches the expected state, and those resources know how to change the current state to the expected state. Before we start to write configuration files and utilize resources, we are going to explore the two models of management, review MOF file creation workflows, and look at different methods of configuring data.

Taking a Preliminary Look

Updating the Help System

Exploring Management Models

Reviewing the MOF File Creation Workflow

Examining Methodologies of Configuration Data

Exploring Functions and Cmdlets Available for DSC with WMF 5.0

Understanding DSC Pull Server

Lab: DSC Architecture

Let’s Allow PowerShell to Help Us!

Create A Sample Configuration File and Compile it into an MOF

Simple Deployment of MOF File to Change LCM Settings

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Understand and execute updating the Help System.

Understand management models.

Understand and utilize MOF file creation workflow.

Understand methodologies of configuration data.

Understand functions and cmdlets available for DSC with WMF 5.0.

Understand the basics of a DSC Pull Server.

In this module, we will examine the process to create configuration files and utilize them.

Preparing the Environment

Defining a DSC Configuration Script

Configuration Keyword

Lab: DSC Configuration Files

Getting IntelliSense for the Parameters Working

Using Resources

Examine Node Filtering

Expand Filtering in Your Configuration File

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Understand how to get the parameters working for IntelliSense.

Understand how to define a DSC configuration script.

Understand how to utilize resources.

Understand and utilize the Configuration keyword.

Understand node filtering.

In this module, we will discuss and utilize DSC Resources.

Examining File Resource

Exploring Archive Resource

Examining Environment Resource

Exploring Group Resource

Examining Log Resource

Understanding Package Resource

Examining Registry Resource

Exploring Script Resource

Examining Service Resource

Exploring User Resource

Examining WindowsFeature Resource

Understanding PsDscRunAsCredential

Lab: DSC Resources

Utilize the DSC File Resource

Utilize the DSC Archive Resource

Utilize the DSC Environment Resource

Utilize the DSC Group Resource

Enable the Analytic Log

Utilize the DSC Log Resource

Utilize the DSC Registry Resource

Utilize the DSC Script Resource

Utilize the DSC Service Resource

Utilize the DSC User Resource

Utilize the DSC WindowsFeature Resource

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Understand and utilize the DSC File Resource.

Understand and utilize the DSC Archive Resource.

Understand and utilize the DSC Environment Resource.

Understand and utilize the DSC Group Resource.

Understand and enable the Analytic Log.

Understand and utilize the DSC Log Resource.

Understand and utilize the DSC Registry Resource.

Understand and utilize the DSC Script Resource.

Understand and utilize the DSC Service Resource.

Understand and utilize the DSC User Resource.

Understand and utilize the DSC WindowsFeature Resource.

In this module, we will discuss parameters, examine both push and pull models, and explore configurations and debugging.

Discussing Parameters

Examining a Push Mode Example

Exploring the Pull Mode

Reviewing the Local Configuration Manager (LCM)

Placing Configurations and Resources for Distribution by the Pull Server

Discussing Configuration Drift

Debugging DSC in Version 5

Lab: DSC Pull and Push Servers

Create a Pull Server

Set Up the LCM

Distribute an MOF Via the Pull Server

DSC Fixes Things!

Test the Debug Feature

After completing this module, students will be able to:

Understand and utilize parameters.

Understand both Push and Pull modes.

Understand and utilize the LCM.

Understand placing configurations and resources for distribution.

Understand configuration drift.

Understand and utilize the debugging feature.