This three-day hands-on class will introduce administrators to the new Windows command-line shell, Windows PowerShell. Windows PowerShell offers both a command-line interface as well as a scripting environment. With connectivity to Microsoft products such as Microsoft Exchange Server 2007, Microsoft System Center Operations Manager (MOM 2007), and many more, Windows PowerShell provides a consistent interface to more easily control system administration and accelerate automation. It runs on Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista, and Windows Server 2008.

Module 1: Introduction to Windows PowerShell - the Basics
This module explains the basics of Windows PowerShell, the different commands available, and how to navigate using the Command Line Interface (CLI).
Lessons

• What Is Windows PowerShell?
  
• Installation Starting Windows PowerShell
  
• PowerShell Commands
  
• Shell Function Commands
  
• Script Commands
  
• Native Commands
  
• Command Line Interface (CLI)
  
• Navigation Windows
  
• PowerShell Cmdlets
  
• Windows PowerShell Snap-Ins
  
• Windows PowerShell Navigation Drives
  
• Aliases Parameters Help Variables
  
• Windows PowerShell Profiles
  
• Creating a Profile 

Module 2: The Windows PowerShell Pipeline, Scripts, and Syntax
This module covers pipelines, scripts, and the syntax needed to run commands on Windows PowerShell.
Lessons

• Pipelines Scripts
  
• Properties and Methods
  
• Object Sorting Syntax, Special Characters, and Operators Quotes
  
•  Output Redirection Command Continuation
  
• Special Characters Operator Precedence
  
• Operators Galore
  

Module 3: Variables and Data Types, Variable Scopes, and Arrays
This module covers variables and data types, how to scope variables, and how to approach arrays.
Lessons

• Variables and Data Types
  
• More Data Types
  
• Variables with Variables!
  
• Environment Variables
  
• Get-Variable
  
• Set-Variable
  
• New-Variable
  
• Clear-Variable
  
• Remove-Variable
  
• Variable Scopes Arrays
  
• Associative Arrays
  

Module 4: Security This module covers script execution, Group Policy, script signing, and certificate creation for security.
Lessons

• Script Execution
  
• Running a Script Execution Policy
  
• Group Policy for Execution
  
• Script Signing
  
• Local Certificate Authority Creation
  
• Signing Certificate Creation
  
• Signing Scripts
  
• Using Certificates
  
• Secure String Creation
  
• Whatif Requesting Credentials and Using Secure Strings
  

Module 5: Script Flow Control Statements
This module covers the Foreach and For statements, the While/Do and While/Do Until statements, branching, and other script flow control statements.
Lessons

• Foreach and For Foreach
  
• For While/Do While/Do Until While Do While Do Until
  
• Branching with IF and SWITCH IF Switch
  
• Break/Continue Break Continue
  

Module 6: Formatting In this module, students will learn formatting in Windows PowerShell, including cmdlets, and how to export results.
Lessons

• Using Format-cmdlets
  
• Format-List (FL) Format-Table Format-Wide Format-Custom
  
• Groupby Group-Object Session Colors
  
• Using Sort-Object, Where-Object Sort-Object Where-Object
  
• Exporting Results to Files CSV XML HTML
  

Module 7: Regular Expressions
This module explains how to use Regular Expression characters.
Lessons

• Understanding Regular Expression Characters
  
• Using Regular Expressions Select-String
  

Module 8: Functions This module covers functions, how to use filters, and arguments. Students will learn how to pass arguments into a script.
Lessons

• Functions, Filters, and Arguments
  
• Functions Filters
  
• Function Management
  
• Scripting with Functions and Parameters
  
• Passing Arguments into a Script
  

Module 9: Error Handling This module covers error handling and script debugging.
Lessons

• Error Handling
  
• Script Debugging
  

Module 10: Advanced Scripting for Administrators
In this module, students will learn how to manipulate files and folders, modify registry data, retrieve event log information, and understand timer jobs.
Lessons

• Manipulating Files and Folders
  
• Modifying Registry Data
  
• Retrieving Event Log Information
  
• Understanding ADSI and Windows PowerShell
  
• Using the New-Object cmdlet
  
• Understanding Timer Jobs

After completing this course, students will be able to: Use Windows PowerShell commands and navigate the Command Line Interface (CLI). Use pipelines and scripts. Manipulate data using variables and arrays. Create, execute, and sign scripts for security. Use script flow control statements.