Basics of Batch Scripting

Technical Workshop 1ADVANCED SYSTEMS MANAGEMENTPresented By Arik FletcherThursday January 29th 2009

Why Are We Here?These workshops aim to relay a simple mantra:A little TIME, EFFORT, and the right RESOURCES combined with TRAINING, PRACTICE, and TEAMWORK will vastly improve your KNOWLEDGE, ABILITY, and EXPERIENCE.KNOWLEDGETEAMWORKTIMETRAININGRESOURCESEXPERIENCEPRACTICEEFFORTABILITYTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

AgendaTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network ManagementAdministration Essentials09:45 – 10:30Discussion:IT Support ExpectationsExercise:Task Management and AutomationTutorial: The Realities of AutomationBREAK 10:30 –10:40Scripting Essentials10:40 – 12:10Overview: Introduction to ScriptingTutorial: Syntax and Reference DocumentsTutorial: Structure and Sample CodeExercise: Script Writing and TroubleshootingBREAK 12:10 –12:20Toolkit Essentials12:0 – 13:00Overview: Utility DVD contentsDiscussion: Recommended Tools

Administration EssentialsTASK MANAGEMENT FOR SYSTEMS ENGINEERSTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

IT Support:ExpectationsInterviews with staff at the Computer Depot in the University of Vermont.This video focuses on what IT Support Technicians expect from their computers.Technical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

What Do You Expect From Your Computers?Technical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Recommended Admin TasksDaily Checks:Server ServicesServer Event LogsServer Hardware StatusFirewall Logs and StatusBackup StatusAntivirus UpdatesWeekly Checks:Server Disk SpaceMail Store & Database SpaceTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network ManagementMonthly Checks:Restore StatusServer Security UpdatesNetwork Application PatchesServer Disk FragmentationWorkstation Hardware StatusPrinter Hardware StatusDocumentation StatusQuarterly Checks:Workstation Builds

Where Does The Day Go?If you feel like this guy...don’t panic, help is at hand!Technical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Automated vs. Manual TasksAutomated Checks:Server ServicesServer Event LogsServer Hardware StatusFirewall Logs and StatusBackup StatusAntivirus UpdatesServer Disk SpaceMail Store & Database SpaceServer Security UpdatesNetwork Application PatchesServer Disk FragmentationWorkstation Hardware StatusPrinter Hardware StatusTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network ManagementManual Checks:Restore StatusDocumentation StatusWorkstation Builds

Follow The A.R.P.C.E.D. LawTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

The Truth Is Out There...Search before indulging in a potentially long and complex coding projectSomeone else has been there before and has probably written a scriptIf in doubt, ask the team!Technical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

All The Time In The World...Scripting is a long-term gain, but a short-term loss...A script can save you time once completed, but it will need a fair amount of time and energy to be invested in its initial development.Even when your script is done, you will find yourself spending further time and resources on testing and improving it.Technical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Can You Handle The Truth?Technical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network ManagementTAKE THE RED PILL:Stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes...TAKE THE BLUE PILL:The story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe...THE CHOICE IS YOURS...

Scripting EssentialsA LOOK AT WINDOWS SHELL SCRIPTINGTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Scripting Essentials OverviewWhat is shell scripting?What can/can’t it do?What else is out there?How do I get started?Where do I learn more?Will this happen to me?Technical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

What is Shell Scripting?A collection or ‘batch’ of commands run in sequence to complete a task or set of tasks.Quick and easy method of automating the most common admin or user tasks.An essential tool for both improving task efficiency and time management.Technical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

What can/can’t shell scripts do?Technical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

What Else Is Out There?Technical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Code Writing GuidelinesTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

When In Rome (or America)...Scripts are designed to be written in American English. Regional Settings will not change the commands‘Correct’ spelling is critical- “It is the American Way!”e.g. COLOR, Favorites, Organization, Customize, etcTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Shell Command SymbolsTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Shell Prompt ModificationTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Arguments & VariablesARGUMENTSRepresented by single % symbolValues set by end userNumbered from 1 (0 is script)Generally used as switchese.g. ArguVars.cmd/testVARIABLESIdentified by enclosed % symbolsValues set by OS or script writerNamed by OS or script writerCan be used as argumentse.g. ArguVars.cmd%os%Technical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Environmental VariablesTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Environmental Variables (cont.)Technical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Internal & External CommandsINTERNAL COMMANDSPart of CMD shellNo file extensionsCannot run without shellHelp command can be usede.g. HELP DIREXTERNAL COMMANDSSeparate from CMD shellUsually .exe or .com extensionsCan be run outside of shellExternal help is usually needede.g. MSTSC/?Technical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Internal CommandsTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Internal Commands (cont.)Technical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

External CommandsTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

External Commands (cont.)Technical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Recommended Code Layout@ECHO off - only show outputCLS - clear screen:START - label start of codeTITLE - window/script titleREM - author/copyright:RUN - label body of codeREM - command notesECHO- a command to run:FINISH - label end of codeREM - closing commentsGOTO :EOF - exit the scriptTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Importance of Comments and LayoutTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

FORUsed to iterate (repeat) tasks USAGE:Uses lettered arguments with double % symbol in scripts and single % symbol from shellRequires in and do functionsCOMMON SWITCHES:Follow numeric series: FOR /lPerform file functions: FOR /fTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

IFAllows for conditional tasksUSAGEFollow with not for negativesUses else in place of multiplesCase sensitive unless /i is usedUses double = symbol in scripts and single = symbol in shellCOMMON USES:File Check: IFexist %path%Variable Check: IFdefined osCompare: IF“%1”==“%path%”Technical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

SETCreates temporary variablesValues from script writer or userPerforms arithmetic functionsCOMMON USES:Set Variable: SETvar=valueCalculate: SET/a var=equationPrompt:SET/p var=questionTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Green Code is Good CodeRE-USABLE CODE:Mini-script within main scriptReduces development timeGuarantees fewer mistakesImproves code legibilityUSAGE GUIDELINES:Use labels to identify routinesUse arguments and variablesShould be after ‘end’ of scriptMust be called not directed toTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

I can only show you the door, you're the one that has to walk through it...Technical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Script This!Print a line of textClear the screenChange window colorView a text fileSave output to a fileCreate a variableCompare a variableRepeat a file taskCalculate an equationECHOvalueCLSCOLOR valueTYPEpath\file.extIPCONFIG> file.extSETvar=valueIF “%var%”==“value”FOR/f%%ain (‘cmd’) doSET/avar=equationTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Un-script This!Disables command echoChange window titleRun the SUBTASK routineExit the scriptShow a file in single pagesCheck for variableCheck if command workedPrompt user for valuePerform a task five times@ECHO offTITLE valueCALL :SUBTASKGOTO:EOFTYPEfile.ext |MOREIFDEFINEDvarIF “%errorlevel%”==“0”SET/p var=valueFOR/l%%ain (1,1,5) doTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Scripting ResourcesWeb LinksBooksCS Portal Script Repositoryhttp://tinyurl.com/cspscriptsFrank-Peter Schultze Scriptshttp://tinyurl.com/fpschultzeTSCMD FAQ: Scripting Trickshttp://tinyurl.com/tscmdfaqTechNet A-Z Command Referencehttp://tinyurl.com/mscmdrefBackup Exec 11d Documentshttp://tinyurl.com/be11docsBackup Exec 12d Documentshttp://tinyurl.com/be12doczipWindows NT Shell ScriptingISBN: 1-57870-047-7Zero Administration for WindowsISBN: 1-56592-508-4Windows 2000 Active DirectoryISBN: 1-56592-638-2Windows 2000 Scripting BibleISBN: 0-7645-4677-5Windows Desktop Deployment Resource KitISBN: 0-7356-1898-4Windows Command Pocket ConsultantISBN: 0-7356-2262-0Technical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Toolkit EssentialsVITAL TOOLS AND UTILITIES FOR ALL TECHIESTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Technical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Utility Disc – DigiWiz miniPE2-XTTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Utility Disc – Hiren’s Boot CDTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network ManagementDOS Utility Boot CDwith additional Windows Tools

Recommended ToolsScript Writing:Notepad2Notepad++System Information:AIDA32EZAuditPassword Reset:Password RenewNT Offline Password ResetProduct Key Recovery:Magic Jelly Bean KeyfinderNirsoftProduKeyFile Compression:IzArc2Go7-ZipDisk Cloning:Symantec GhostAcronis True ImageDisk Partitioning:Partition MagicParagon Partition ManagerPartition Recovery:TestDiskOntrack Easy Recovery ProDeep Data Recovery:NTFS UndeleteGetDataBack-NTFS/GetDataBack-FATUser Friendly Data Recovery:RecuvaRestorationTechnical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Recommended Tools (cont.)Floppy/USB Key Cloning:WinImageAntiSpyware:SDFixWebroot Spy SweeperCD Image Creation:LCISOCreatorISO BusterCD Burning:ImgBurnExpress BurnDisk Defragmentation:DefragglerJkDefragFile Copier:FastCopySyncToySystem Optimisation:CCleanerWinASOEasyTweakDriver Backup and Restore:Smart Driver Backup DriverBackup!PE Editor:Resource HackerPE Resource ExplorerPersonal Antivirus:Avast!NOD32Technical Workshop 1 - Advanced Network Management

Basics of Batch Scripting

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