Week 3: Scripting with Microsoft PowerShell

This week in class, we explored the topic of Microsoft PowerShell.  This command line and scripting environment has become a powerful tool for many system administrators.  It offers two interfaces (command line and graphical user) which allow for easy script and job creation and testing.  Before this week, I had not used PowerShell before.  I had hear of it, but did not really know or understand its use or functionality.  I figured it was just an add-on for the current command prompt for Windows that only very tech-savvy individuals used.  Of course, I was wrong.  PowerShell offers more features and functionality than your standard command line DOS interpreter.  With many command line tools and cmdlets (PowerShell built-in commands), many administrative and everyday operations are able to be completed quickly and easily.  The introduction of the verb-noun command syntax convention really does make command utilization easier to understand and master.  The introduction of the PowerShell ISE application has also made script creation and debugging easier and more manageable with features such as syntax highlighting and breakpoint insertion.

There are always challenges to be faced when learning a new programming or scripting language.  I faced a few of these challenges myself during the week due to my lack of experience using PowerShell and its functions and features.  PowerShell takes awhile to get used to due to its particular methods of handling certain items.  For one, PowerShell by default is set to not allow any scripts to be executed.  While, this can be easily changed, it is weird that the security of this application is set so tight by default.  Another thing about PowerShell is that PowerShell scripts cannot be executed outside of the PowerShell environment.  This means that double-clicking on a PowerShell script does not execute the script, but instead just opens a notepad file representation of the code (again, security very tight).  When executing a PowerShell script in PowerShell, a complete path to the PowerShell script must be specified or the script will not be executed.  I know this fact caused me a bit of grief this week.  All-in-all, after I became familiar with PowerShell, the application is actually easy to use.  Therefore, I did not experience too many difficulties this week.

As I mentioned last week in my blog, scripting has become a very important skill to learn in order to be successful within the Information Technology field.  I will say it again this week because it is still true (and because we are still covering scripting this week).  PowerShell looks to be a very easy and useful tool to use within the Information Technology field especially for those in the administrative fields (server, database, network, etc.).  As I become more familiar with PowerShell, I am sure it will be very useful skill to utilize within my studies and future career.

Week 2: Batch Files and Scripting

This week in class, the topics of batch files and scripting were covered.  I have had very little experience with batch files and scripting.  We did cover these topics last quarter in INFO 1110 (Operating Systems I) where we wrote a couple of simple batch files and Bash shell scripts.  However, the topics were only briefly touched upon within this class and only a week of class time was dedicated to batch files and shells.  In INFO 1120 (Operating Systems II), batch files and shells were reviewed and expanded upon.  The readings for the week and the digital handouts were very helpful while exploring these topics and completing the homework and quiz.  I liked how the material had a section of examples and sample code to help me understand the structure and usefulness of batch files and scripts.  I also liked how some real industry-utilized scripts were included within this section.  I learned a great deal about other types of scripts including Visual Basic scripts, JavaScript scripts, etc.  I did not know anything about the Windows Script Host before this class.  The material within the week's module really helped me understand this program and its functions.

This week did not present too many challenges.  However, I did run into some issues when completing the homework for the week.  The INFO1120 server is no longer in operation which made it hard to run the script described on part 3 of the homework assignment.  It also made it hard to test the script that I had to write for part 1.  The homework also included some Novell commands that I had to search online for in order to determine what the batch files in part 2 of the homework were designed to do.

Batch files and scripts are relied on very heavily within the Information Technology field.  These useful files can be used to simplify and speed up many mundane and tedious tasks sometimes encountered in daily operations.  In my research of scripts on the internet, I came across several websites that have listed several very useful and time-saving scripts that their owners have developed to help them in their Information Technology practices.  Therefore, it is clear to see that learning how to develop and utilize batch files and scripts is very important as I move forward in my Information Technology studies.  I could also use these skills in my personal life as a way to complete everyday computer maintenance and other tasks that I often neglect.

Week 1: Virtualization and Remote Access

This week in class I learned about virtualization and remote access.  I have been introduced to these topics before in the past, but not in very much depth.  I have very little experience with virtualization.  In the past, the most I have used it was running a virtualization player on my desktop so I could use a Linux environment on my Windows PC.  I had no idea there was so much to the virtualization field.  The reading materials and research paper really helped me understand just how complex and useful virtualization is becoming especially within corporations.  The concept of virtualization really makes sense for companies and helps eliminate a lot of the wasteful practices that were common in older server configurations such as using a single dedicated server for each application.  Virtualization allows for multiple virtual application servers to be housed on a single physical server.  This in turn saves on hardware, staffing, and energy costs which makes this technology more affordable for smaller businesses.  I also learned how virtual machines are used within the industry for practices such as testing and development or small applications utilization.

The topic of remote access was also touched upon this week.  Again, I have used remote desktop applications in the past but had never really put much thought into what was happening "under the hood" or how this connection was achieved.  The readings for this week helped clear up some of the questions I had had about the subject.  I had no idea there were so many types of remote access methods and protocols.  I learned a great deal about VPNs and their use within the industry.  I have never used a VPN before but have heard about them in my Information Technology endeavors.

This week was challenging for me due to the newness of the topics being presented.  While I had heard of virtualization and remote access, they had not really been explained to me in much detail.  I was struggling to grasp some of the concepts presented within the reading materials especially trying to determine the differences between some of the remote access methods.  The topic of virtualization itself is kind of confusing to me in general.  I am a very concrete thinker, so the concept of "virtual" anything kind of takes me awhile to comprehend.  I am also having issues accessing the Lab Manager application on the MCCADC server.  I cannot seem to find the link to the application and cannot seem to find a reference to it in any of the reading handouts or videos.

The topics covered this week will be very helpful as I continue on my Information Technology studies.  Virtualization has become a very large topic within the field and it continues to grow as its possibilities are further discovered.  Remote access has always been a big topic within the Information Technology field and continues to be so due to its flexibility and convenience.  Basically, both topics will be very useful as I continue my Information Technology studies and seek employment in the future.  As I was completing the assigned work for the week, I had to do quite a bit of outside research to write my report and complete the weekly quiz.  This is helping me to sharpen my researching skills for the future since in some cases the answer that I will be looking for will not always be readily available.