Nitin Dray Parker’s Post

<# SYNOPSIS This script automates WSUS operations including synchronizing updates, approving them, triggering client update checks, and exporting the list of approved updates. NOTES Author: Asar Khan Date: 13/09/2023 #> param (   [string]$WSUSServer = "UpdateMaster",   [string]$WSUSPort = "8530",   [scriptblock]$UpdateFilterCriteria = { $_.IsApproved -eq $false }, # Default filter criteria for unapproved updates   [scriptblock]$ClientFilterCriteria = { $_.OSVersion -like '10.*' }, # Default filter criteria for clients (Example: Windows 10)   [string]$ExportFilePath = "C:\Path\To\ApprovedUpdates.csv", # Default export file path   [string]$LogFilePath = "C:\Path\To\ScriptLog.txt" # Default log file path ) # Start transcript logging Start-Transcript -Path $LogFilePath # Attempt to perform WSUS operations with error handling try {   # Import WSUS Module   Import-Module -Name UpdateServices   # Connect to WSUS Server   $WSUS = Get-WsusServer -Name $WSUSServer -PortNumber $WSUSPort   # Synchronize Updates   Write-Host "Initiating WSUS synchronization..."   Invoke-WsusServerSync   # Get a List of all Updates   $Updates = Get-WsusUpdate   # Filter Updates using user-specified criteria   $FilteredUpdates = $Updates | Where-Object -Property ScriptBlock $UpdateFilterCriteria   # Approve Updates   foreach ($Update in $FilteredUpdates) {     Write-Host "Approving update $($Update.Title)..."     Approve-WsusUpdate -Update $Update -Action Install -Group "Default"   }   # Check WSUS Server Status   $WSUSStatus = Get-WsusServer   Write-Host "WSUS Server Status:"   $WSUSStatus   # Get list of computers from Active Directory   $Computers = Get-ADComputer -Filter *   # Push Approved Updates to Clients   $ScriptBlock = {     Write-Host "Checking for updates..."     Start-Process -FilePath "wuauclt.exe" -ArgumentList "/detectnow" -Wait   }   Invoke-Command -ScriptBlock $ScriptBlock -ComputerName $Computers.Name   # Export the list of approved updates to a CSV file   $FilteredUpdates | Select-Object Title, Description, IsApproved, IsDeclined, CreationDate | Export-Csv -Path $ExportFilePath -NoTypeInformation   # Disconnect from WSUS Server   Disconnect-WsusServer -Confirm:$false } catch {   Write-Host "An error occurred: $_" } # Stop transcript logging Stop-Transcript

Windows Server Patching Interview Q&A Q:Describe the process you would follow for testing patches before deployment. Answer: • Assessment: Identify and review the patches available. • Testing: Apply patches in a lab environment that mirrors production systems. • Validation: Ensure that critical applications and services function correctly post-patching. • Pilot Deployment: Roll out the patches to a small group of production systems. • Full Deployment: If no issues arise, deploy the patches to the remaining systems. • Documentation: Document the entire process, including any issues encountered and their resolutions. Q:What are some common issues you might encounter during patching, and how do you resolve them? Answer: Common issues include: • Patch conflicts: Ensure patches are applied in the correct order and check for dependencies. • System incompatibility: Verify system requirements before patching. • Network issues: Ensure proper network connectivity and bandwidth. • Insufficient disk space: Free up space before applying patches. • Application crashes: Test patches thoroughly in a staging environment to catch any potential issues. Q:How do you ensure minimal downtime during patching? Answer: • Schedule patching during off-peak hours or maintenance windows. • Use clustering and load balancing to patch systems without taking the entire service offline. • Implement phased patching to stagger updates and reduce the impact on operations. • Communicate with stakeholders to inform them about scheduled maintenance. Q:What strategies do you use to keep systems compliant with patching policies? Answer: • Regularly review and update patching policies. • Automate patching processes using tools like SCCM or WSUS. • Monitor patch compliance using dashboards and reports. • Conduct regular audits and vulnerability assessments. • Ensure clear communication and training for IT staff about patch management procedures. Q:Can you explain the process of rolling back a patch? Answer: • Identify the problematic patch using update history or error logs. • Uninstall the patch using the Windows Update interface or command line (e.g., wusa /uninstall). • Restore the system to a previous state using System Restore if necessary. • Investigate the cause of the issue before attempting to reapply the patch.

Like Exchange, SQL etc. on prem, SCCM needs regular attention. “For this path specifically here are a few options I feel could help mitigate or detect the issue:”

🎯 WSUS Maintenance ❗ 📃 You can visit our blog page to find details about our new blog "WSUS Maintenance" where we explain blog about WSUS Maintenance details. Through this article, you can learn synchronization, cleanup wizard, rejected updates, backup and restore, monitoring and other topics about WSUS Maintenance.   📌 You can find the link to the blog page in the comments section. #WSUS #Maintenance #applications #restore #backup #celanupwizard #rejectedupdates #blog #management

Understanding the SYSVOL Folder in #Windows #Server 2022 The SYSVOL (System Volume) folder is a crucial component in Windows Server 2022 environments, particularly within Active Directory domains. It plays a pivotal role in the distribution and replication of system policies, Group Policy objects (GPOs), scripts, and other domain-related content across domain controllers. The SYSVOL folder ensures consistency and synchronization of this essential data, thereby maintaining a stable and coherent Active Directory infrastructure. Below are key points to understand about the SYSVOL folder: 1. Purpose and Content: The SYSVOL folder contains various components, including: Group Policy Objects (GPOs): These are configurations that control the behavior and settings of user and computer accounts within a domain. GPOs help administrators manage security settings, software installation, network configurations, and more. Logon and Logoff Scripts: Scripts that run during user logon and logoff events, allowing administrators to execute custom actions. User Profiles and Folder Redirection Policies: These manage user profiles and folder redirection settings to centralize user data and ensure a consistent user experience. 2. Distributed File #System Replication (DFSR): In modern Windows Server environments, the SYSVOL folder replication is handled by the Distributed File System Replication (DFSR) mechanism. This technology ensures efficient replication of SYSVOL content between domain controllers, enhancing reliability and fault tolerance. DFSR replaced the older File Replication Service (FRS) technology for SYSVOL replication. 3. File and Folder Structure The SYSVOL folder is typically located in the `%SystemRoot%\SYSVOL` directory on each domain controller. Inside this directory, there are two primary subfolders: Domain: This contains GPOs, scripts, and other domain-specific content. 4. Active Directory Integration The SYSVOL folder is tightly integrated with Active Directory. The folder and its contents are stored on the same volume as the Active Directory database, ensuring consistency between domain data and policies. 5. Security Considerations Protecting the SYSVOL folder is crucial for maintaining the security and stability of the Active Directory environment. Access controls and permissions should be properly configured to prevent unauthorized changes to GPOs and other content. 6. Importance of Backups: Regular backups of the SYSVOL folder are essential to ensure data recovery in case of accidental deletion, corruption, or other issues. #Backup and #restore strategies should be part of the overall disaster recovery plan. #micorsoft #systemadministrator #activedirectory ConfigCloud

Understanding the SYSVOL Folder in #Windows #Server 2022 The SYSVOL (System Volume) folder is a crucial component in Windows Server 2022 environments, particularly within Active Directory domains. It plays a pivotal role in the distribution and replication of system policies, Group Policy objects (GPOs), scripts, and other domain-related content across domain controllers. The SYSVOL folder ensures consistency and synchronization of this essential data, thereby maintaining a stable and coherent Active Directory infrastructure. Below are key points to understand about the SYSVOL folder: 1. Purpose and Content: The SYSVOL folder contains various components, including: Group Policy Objects (GPOs): These are configurations that control the behavior and settings of user and computer accounts within a domain. GPOs help administrators manage security settings, software installation, network configurations, and more. Logon and Logoff Scripts: Scripts that run during user logon and logoff events, allowing administrators to execute custom actions. User Profiles and Folder Redirection Policies: These manage user profiles and folder redirection settings to centralize user data and ensure a consistent user experience. 2. Distributed File #System Replication (DFSR): In modern Windows Server environments, the SYSVOL folder replication is handled by the Distributed File System Replication (DFSR) mechanism. This technology ensures efficient replication of SYSVOL content between domain controllers, enhancing reliability and fault tolerance. DFSR replaced the older File Replication Service (FRS) technology for SYSVOL replication. 3. File and Folder Structure The SYSVOL folder is typically located in the `%SystemRoot%\SYSVOL` directory on each domain controller. Inside this directory, there are two primary subfolders: Domain: This contains GPOs, scripts, and other domain-specific content. 4. Active Directory Integration The SYSVOL folder is tightly integrated with Active Directory. The folder and its contents are stored on the same volume as the Active Directory database, ensuring consistency between domain data and policies. 5. Security Considerations Protecting the SYSVOL folder is crucial for maintaining the security and stability of the Active Directory environment. Access controls and permissions should be properly configured to prevent unauthorized changes to GPOs and other content. 6. Importance of Backups: Regular backups of the SYSVOL folder are essential to ensure data recovery in case of accidental deletion, corruption, or other issues. #Backup and #restore strategies should be part of the overall disaster recovery plan.

🌐Windows Server Backup and Restore 🎯🎯In the world of server management, data protection is paramount, and Windows Server Backup and Restore takes center stage as a critical safeguard. This robust feature offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to protect your server's data, applications, and system settings. 💡 Key Features: 🔗🔗Comprehensive Backups: Windows Server Backup allows you to create full server backups, ensuring that your critical data, applications, and system configurations are securely stored. 🔗🔗File-Level Recovery: Accidentally deleted a crucial file or folder? Windows Server Backup empowers you to recover specific files or directories from your backups with ease. 🔗🔗System Image Backup: In the face of system failures or disasters, a system image backup lets you restore the entire server, including the operating system and installed software, to a previous state. 🔗🔗Incremental Backups: Save time and storage space by utilizing incremental backups, which only capture changes made since the last backup, reducing resource overhead. 🔗🔗Versatile Recovery Options: Tailor your recovery strategy, whether you need to retrieve individual files or perform a complete system restoration. Windows Server Backup provides flexibility to match your requirements. 🔗🔗Integration with PowerShell: For advanced users and automation enthusiasts, PowerShell integration enables scripting and automating backup and recovery tasks, streamlining server management. 🔗🔗Offsite Backup: Enhance data resilience by storing backups offsite, either through network-attached storage or cloud-based solutions. #WindowsServer #BackupAndRestore #DataProtection #ServerManagement #ITInfrastructure #BusinessContinuity #SystemRecovery #ITSecurity #DataResilience #PowerShellScripting #CloudBackup #ServerMaintenance #ServerSecurity #TechSolutions

Active Directory: Automate System State Backup https://lnkd.in/dwMvF5zk #systemengineer #windowsserver #mcse #windowsserver #getcertifiedwithattari #attariclasses

SCCM Site takeover by abusing the AdminService API. In this blog, I walkthrough the discovery process and demonstrate site takeover via credential relaying. https://lnkd.in/g9DUpz7V

Take your Configuration Manager infrastructure to the next level with the help of #ConfigMgr logs! Check out this comprehensive list of #SCCM logs for both servers and clients to support and troubleshoot your system. Link: https://lnkd.in/gtEFG83F #Windows10 #Windows11