Automating Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 with Windows PowerShell 2.0

Windows PowerShell 2.0 allows you to automate nearly any task for managing Windows Server, going from dozens of clicks to a single command, and repeated tasks to automated tasks. Using screen shots and helpful exercises, this book walks you through the many benefits of automating Windows Server with PowerShell 2.0, such as allowing for scalable, flexible, and rapid deployments and changes; increasing cost effectiveness; providing a timely return on IT investment; lowering labor headcount; creating secure computing environments; and establishing reliable enterprise infrastructures. In addition, real-world examples provide reinforced learning, aimed at ensuring that you work as efficiently and effectively as possible by automating both simple and complex administrative tasks with Powershell 2.0.

• Explains how to automate both simple and complex tasks in Windows Server 2008 R2 with Powershell 2.0
• Addresses how Windows Server 2008 R2 comes with more than 550 cmdlets, allowing you to automate nearly anything
• Offers numerous real-world examples, end-of-chapter exercises, and helpful screen shots to reinforce your learning process

The power is in your hands! Start working smarter, not harder, by automating Windows Server 2008 R2 tasks with Powershell 2.0.

Matthew Hester is an IT Pro Evangelist at Microsoft and has more than a decade of experience with Microsoft core infrastructure products such as Windows, Active Directory, Exchange, and others. He is a regular presenter at Microsoft TechEd and contributing writer for TechNet Magazine. Matthew blogs at blogs.technet.com/b/matthewms. Sarah Dutkiewicz is a seasoned technology professional, working with a variety of technologies for over 8 years. Her true passion comes from developing and writing code, and she is a Microsoft MVP in Visual C#. Sarah blogs at www.codinggeekette.com.

Chapter 1: What is PowerShell and Why Do You Need It?

Chapter 2: Installing and Configuring PowerShell 2.0.

Chapter 3: PowerShell Grammar Lesson.

Chapter 4: Aliases, Functions, and the Pipe. Oh My!

Chapter 5: Creating Your Own Scripts.

Chapter 6: Remoting with PowerShell 2.0.

Chapter 7: PowerShell and the Server.

Chapter 8: Managing Active Directory with PowerShell.

Chapter 9: Managing Desktops with Server PowerShell.

Chapter 10: Manage IIS Web Server with PowerShell.

Chapter 11: PowerShell and Deployment Services.

Chapter 12: PowerShell and Virtualization.

Appendix A Solutions to Exercises.

Appendix B Developing at a Command Prompt.

Appendix C Providing for PowerShell.

Appendix D Custom Cmdlets and Advanced Functions.

Appendix E Packaging PowerShell Extensions.

Appendix F Building Your Own GUI with PowerShell.

Index.