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Guy's Top 10 Free Tools

1) FreePing
2) Network Monitor
3) Xobni
4) PuTTY (UNIX)
5) IP SLA Monitor
6) BgInfo
7) Net-SNMP
8) CatTools 
9) Exchange Monitor
10) WinDiff

PowerShell and Get-QADComputer

PowerShell and Get-QADComputer

The get-QADComputer cmdlet has some unexpected parameters.  For example, you can check which operating system, and which service pack is installed on each of your servers.  If you have not used the QAD cmdlets before, it may be best to start with QADUser.

Topics for PowerShell's Get-QADComputer

• Example 1: List the properties of get-QADComputer
• Example 2: List the computers in your domain, and their properties
• Real-life Task: Updating Computer Description

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Pre-requisites, particularly for the QAD snap-in

Before we can get my examples to work you need to meet these pre-requisites.

1. Download and install PowerShell and .Net Framework. 
   Go to Microsoft's site and choose the flavour to suit your operating system.
2. Download, then install the QAD Snap-ins from this site:
   http://www.quest.com/activeroles-server/arms.aspx
3. Register the snap-in. (Key point)
   add-PSSnapin quest.activeroles.admanagement
4. Gain access to Active Directory.  Best would be to logon at a domain controller in a test domain.

Example 1:  List the properties of get-QADComputer

Before we tackle the main task, let us research which interesting parameters to include in our script.

Note 1:  get-Member (or gm) reveals a rich selection of properties, for example, ComputerRole, OSVersion and OSServicePack.

Example 2: List the computers in your domain, and their properties

Important:  You need to change yourDom/ to reflect the name of your domain.  If you are in any doubt check with Active Directory Users and Computers.

Note 1:  I suggest you try my parallel learning technique and match the user properties revealed by QADComputer, with the property sheet that you see in Active Directory Users and Computers.  Look in the Domain Controllers folder, as well as the Computers folder.

Drill down with -SearchScope

SearchScope is a modifier for -SearchRoot.  While we have used the value 'SubTree', it is also possible to substitute 'OneLevel', or even 'Base'.

Help getting to know QADComputer

Note 1:  A mild surprise, there is no 'set' cmdlet, just the one verb, 'get'.  Consequently you cannot add descriptions to a computer object using these quest cmdlets.

Real-life Task: Updating Computer Descriptions

The situation:  Paul Ku needed to update the ldap description field for his servers.

Preparation:  Paul employed a spreadsheet to store the server names and their corresponding descriptions.  Key point, Paul produced a csv file (called serverdescriptions.csv)

Summary of Get-QADComputer

Get-QADComputer is a read only command to investigate properties of your Active Directory computers including domain controllers.  The secret of getting good results is investigating the names of properties, such as ComputerRole.

See more PowerShell QAD Scripts

• PowerShell Home   • Quest QAD   • QADUser   • QAD Password   • QADGroup   • QADComputer

 • Export-CSV   • Import CSV

Please write in if you see errors of any kind.  Please report any factual mistakes, grammatical errors or broken links, I will be happy to not only to correct the fault, but also to give you credit.

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