Windows Remote Administration

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Windows Remote Administration

• robsmith_at_cs.cmu.edu

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Topics

• Methods that Facilities uses for administering
  machines
• Tools for remote administration / automation
• Computer Management (compmgmt.msc)
• WMI and WMIC
• Scripting

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Current Rollout Projects

• Windows XP Service Pack 2
• Kclient upgrade to KfW
• OpenAFS upgrade
• Updates are applied to a group of ten machines at
  a time, completion date of 6/2005
• Monthly Patch Updates (ongoing)

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What we do Group Policies

• Deliver default Firewall settings for XP SP2
• Push software, XP SP2, Kclient / OpenAFS upgrade
  packages
• Configure security for Xwin32, Time server for
  Leash (new ticket manager)
• Configure Event Log settings, other security
  settings (NoNetAsAdmin, for example)

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Tools

• Stock Microsoft administration tools, methods are
  used (Remote desktop, etc)
• Some tools are installed by default, others added
  via resource kit, support tools (form the OS
  install CD)
• Administrative Shares (x,admin,etc)
• Custom tools written in Vbscript
• Windows Management instrumentation

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Built-in tools

• MMC Based snap ins, roll your own tools
• Some are advertised via Control Panel -gt admin
  tools, some are not (Certificate manager for
  example)
• Computer Management (compmgmt.msc)
• Administrative rights required
• Demo

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Why Remote Desktop ?

• Built-in to all recent versions of Windows
• Port blocked at border router (3389)
• Next best thing to being there (console access)

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Tip for using compmgmt.msc

• Batch File
• Start Computer Management (target machine)

start compmgmt.msc /computer1
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WMIC

• Windows Management Instrumentation Microsofts
  implementation of WBEM.
• Pre-cooked objects for obtaining information
  about a machine(s)
• Gather information about Disks, partitions,
  Motherboards, memory DIMMS, etc.
• Start / kill services, processes, etc
• Demo

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Windows Scripting Host

• Supports Vbscript, Jscript, Perl, .Net
• Programmatically access WMI namespace, other
  object models (ADSI, CDO, etc.)

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Cheat Sheets

• Will make available after this session

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Webcasts / Resources

• Using WMIC for administration
• http//support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scidkb
  en-us325427
• Scripting WMIC
• http//support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scidkb
  en-us325946
• Scripting Guys Webcasts
• http//www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter/webc
  asts/archive.mspx
• Scripting Start Page
• http//www.microsoft.com/scripting