Active Directory

Lance LingerfeltMay 8, 2019

Importing User Photos to Office 365 in bulk for your company.

In a previous post, I showed how you could update one user’s photo for their Outlook and AD profiles via PowerShell. In this post, we will explore how to do this for your entire organization via PowerShell to Office365.

NOTE: I have not tested the scripts as I do not have enough mailboxes in my O365 tenant along with not using a ‘.’ in my alias. If the scripts are incorrect, please inform me with the correction and I will update accordingly.

Please make sure that your photos are reviewed before posting, and try to keep the file size of the photos to a minimum. In Office 365, there exists a limitation for the user photo not to be more than 10 KB in size, but I will show you how to get around that limitation.

Having a user photo for each of your users is very beneficial as it personalizes each account to a face in the company. The user photos can be viewed in below locations:

Outlook Web Access
Contact Card
Thumbnail in emails
Outlook Client
Yammer
Lync Client
SharePoint (People Search / Newsfeed)

Steps to take:

Remove the 10KB photo size limitation in Exchange Online
Prepare a folder with all users photos
Update the profile photos via a PowerShell cmdlet.

Connect to Exchange Online with the RPS Proxy Method to remove the 10K size limitation

$UserCredential = Get-Credential
$Session = New-PSSession -ConfigurationName Microsoft.Exchange -ConnectionUri https://outlook.office365.com/powershell-liveid/?proxyMethod=RPS -Credential $UserCredential -Authentication Basic -AllowRedirection
Import-PSSession $Session

$UserCredential = Get-Credential

$Session = New-PSSession -ConfigurationName Microsoft.Exchange -ConnectionUri https://outlook.office365.com/powershell-liveid/?proxyMethod=RPS -Credential $UserCredential -Authentication Basic -AllowRedirection

Import-PSSession $Session

NOTE: In the PowerShell cmdlet above, we connected using a different proxy method. This was to overwrite the limitation of uploading the images with size more than 10KB. Using the different proxy method (/?proxyMethod=RPS ) to connect to Office 365 in the above cmdlet accomplishes this.

Prepare a folder locally and place all the photos in that folder

Create a folder named C:/UserPics and make the filename of each photo be the username of that particular user. (i.e. llingerfelt.png)
The below script should be able account for aliases that have a ‘.’ in the id as well. (i.e. lance.lingerfelt)

NOTE: From my research, there is no set photo type that is required for the photo. My suggestion would be to keep the photos .png for size constraints while maintaining picture clarity.

Update the profile pictures via PowerShell

Create the following script and name it Photos-Update.ps1

$path= 'C:\UserPics\'
$Images = Get-ChildItem $path
$Images |Foreach-Object{
$Identity = ($_.Name.Tostring() -replace '.png','')
$PictureData = $path+$_.name
Set-UserPhoto -Identity $Identity -PictureData ([System.IO.File]::ReadAllBytes($PictureData)) -Confirm:$false }

$path= 'C:\UserPics\'

$Images = Get-ChildItem $path

$Images |Foreach-Object{

$Identity = ($_.Name.Tostring() -replace '.png','')

$PictureData = $path+$_.name

Set-UserPhoto -Identity $Identity -PictureData ([System.IO.File]::ReadAllBytes($PictureData)) -Confirm:$false }

Run Photos-Update.ps1 and the script should upload the photos to Office 365 and apply each photo to the corresponding user.

NOTE: If you’re still having some issues with the alias having a ‘.’ in the name, you can also configure the Photos-Update.ps1 script in this manner to get that working properly:

$path= 'C:\UserPics\'
$Images = Get-ChildItem $path
$Images |Foreach-Object{
$Identity = ($_.Name.Tostring() -split "\.")
$count = $Identity.count
If($count -gt 2)
{
for($i=0; $i -le $count-2; $i++)
{
$username=$username+$Identity[$i]+"."
}
$Id=$username.TrimEnd(".")
}
Else
{
$Id=$Identity[0]
}
$PictureData = $path+$_.name
Set-UserPhoto -Identity $Id -PictureData ([System.IO.File]::ReadAllBytes($PictureData)) -Confirm:$false
$username=$null
}

$path= 'C:\UserPics\'

$Images = Get-ChildItem $path

$Images |Foreach-Object{

$Identity = ($_.Name.Tostring() -split "\.")

$count = $Identity.count

If($count -gt 2)

{

for($i=0; $i -le $count-2; $i++)

{

$username=$username+$Identity[$i]+"."

}

$Id=$username.TrimEnd(".")

}

Else

{

$Id=$Identity[0]

}

$PictureData = $path+$_.name

Set-UserPhoto -Identity $Id -PictureData ([System.IO.File]::ReadAllBytes($PictureData)) -Confirm:$false

$username=$null

}

HAPPY SCRIPTING!
PLEASE COMMENT!

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REFERENCES:
How to import Office365 User photos over 10KB & without CSV in bulk

Lance LingerfeltMarch 29, 2019

Unable to open settings from the Settings App in Windows Server 2016/2019

In Windows Server 2016/2019 you have been upgraded to the Windows 10 Desktop Experience GUI. So, in the new versions, you are directed to use the to get to your settings. What was happening within the Settings is that I would choose a setting that calls on the control.exe file to open a Control Panel app. I would get the following error when attempting to do that function:

Permission Denied to Open a CPL Applet through control.exe

I immediately think it is a permissions issue. So I go to try to validate the permissions so that I could change them. Turns out, that due to it being a Windows System directory, I couldn’t modify the permissions without compromising directory security with NTFS permissions:

The options are all greyed out for the directory on purpose

Now, if I open Control Panel, Network Sharing Center, etc…, I was able to access the applets with no issues. This was just happening in the Settings Gear Box Application. So, I started looking around and found that there is a registry key that needs to be modified so that your Administrator account can open these settings apps through the Settings Application:

1) Launch the Registry Editor (regedit.exe)
2) Navigate to:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System

3) Change the value of FilterAdministratorToken (REG_DWORD) from 0 to 1 (If you don’t see that key, you can create it by right-clicking on any empty space from the right panel and select New > DWORD value, type the name and set the value to 1)
4) Reboot the computer and then it will be working fine.

I decided to create a Group Policy in AD to add this registry key so that it would propagate to all my 2016/2019 Servers:

1) Launch the Group Policy Manager
2) Create a new GPO and Link it to your Domain
3) Go to Computer Configuration > Preferences > Windows Settings > Registry > New Registry Key (DWORD)
4) Set the Action to “Replace”
5) Set the path as:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
6) Set the Key as FilterAdministratorToken
7) Set the Value as 1 (Decimal Format) and Save
8) Run gpupdate /force on your servers.
9) Schedule a Reboot of those servers for the change to truly take effect.

After the reboot of the server, all the apps launched correctly from the Settings Application within Windows. I am going to research a little more to see why this is like that. If you have a comment, or more information, please feel free to post!

HAPPY TROUBLESHOOTING!
PLEASE COMMENT!

Lance LingerfeltMarch 22, 2019March 22, 2019

Hyper-V 2019 will NOT mount ISO from a network share.

Like most IT guys. They have a repository of their ISO images saved on a network share so that they can mount the ISO if needed on multiple machines. I recently switched to Hyper-V and have been having an issue with creating VMs and using my ISO from my network share to do so.
Hyper-V Manager available through RSAT doesn’t have an option to mount an ISO or capture a drive from a machine on which is running. Instead it gives you drives of the Hyper-V host, and that would of course require you to have an ISO or the disc itself present on the host. I didn’t want to do that. I would rather have my repository share available for that purpose to allow for all the drive space to be available on the Hyper-V host.

So, I would map a network drive with my ISOs. The mapping would succeed, but mapped drive (letter) will not be visible in Hyper-V manager when trying to mount an ISO. Okay, so next I tried mounting from UNC share directly, but that would also fail, with the message:
“‘VM’ failed to add device ‘Virtual CD/DVD Disk’” & “User account does not have permission required to open attachment”.

hyperv1 — Access Denied Error when trying to mount the ISO

It goes back to the constrained delegation requirement for the Hyper-V host accounts to be used to perform functions such as this. This has been a pain to say in the least, as I have also had issues with live migration with my machines not being clustered due to different hardware.

So, in researching, I found this blog post. It has helped me through this issue with mapping the shared folder with the ISOs.

The cause of the problem is that the Hyper-V is intended to run with VMM Library Server and to mount files from it, not any random share. To re-mediate this:

You need to assign full NTFS and share permissions to computer account of Hyper-V on a shared folder with ISO’s you want to mount.
In AD on the computer account of Hyper-V machine delegate specific service ‘cifs’ to the machine you want your ISO’s mounted from. Microsoft calls this constrained delegation.

Here is step by step procedure for the constrained delegation:

Go to Active Directory Users and Computers
Find the Hyper-V server computer account and open up its properties.
Go to Delegation tab.
Select Trust this computer for delegation to the specified services only radio button.
Click the Add button.
Click the Users or Computers… button.
In the Add Services window, click Users or Computers and enter the computer account that will act as a library server and click OK.
Select the cifs Service Type and click OK.

The resulting setup should look something like this:

Constrained delegation — What the configuration should look like for constrained delegation

I added both the server that contained the ISO images and the server that I run my RSAT tools from just to be safe. I next rebooted the Hyper-V host (that is a requirement).
When the host rebooted, I was able to successfully create the VM.

Hopefully, this will also solve my issue with live migration between my hosts. I will have to test that again and will inform everyone here if that succeeds as well!

PLEASE COMMENT!
THANKS FOR READING!

References:
Hyper-V Server 2012 won’t mount ISO from a network share
Hyper-V authentication in Windows Server 2016 for managing remote Hyper-V servers through RSAT
Constrained Delegation

Lance LingerfeltMarch 9, 2019

How to transfer FSMO Roles using PowerShell

A rare weekend post for me! HA! I am currently migrating my server environment from VMWare 6.7 to Server 2019 Hyper-V. I have a separate standalone box that I use for my VM backups and as a tertiary DC. Since I had to shut down my VMs in order to convert them, I needed to quickly move my FSMO roles from the DC Virtual Machine to the Standalone box so things would stay running.

I found this great article on how to do that quickly through PowerShell since it is a pain to go into ADUC, ADDT, and setup an MMC for the Schema snap-in.

When you create a domain, all FSMO roles assigned to the first domain controller in the forest by default. You can transfer FSMO roles from one DC to another both the Active Directory graphics snap-ins and the PowerShell command line. Moving FSMO roles using AD PowerShell has the following benefits:

You do not need to connect with a MMC snap-ins to the future role owner;
Transferring or seizing FSMO roles does not require a connection to the current or future role owner. You can run AD-PowerShell module cmdlets on a Windows Client or Server running RSAT Tools;
To seize the FSMO role (if the current owner is not available), it suffices to use an additional parameter -force.

Import the Active Directory Module Into PowerShell:

Import-Module ActiveDirectory

1	Import-Module ActiveDirectory

To get the current forest level FSMO role owners (Domain Naming Master and Schema Master roles) you can use the following PowerShell cmdlet:

Get-ADForest ldlnet.net | ft DomainNamingMaster, SchemaMaster -a -wr

1	Get-ADForest ldlnet.net \| ft DomainNamingMaster, SchemaMaster -a -wr

To view domain-wide FSMO roles (Infrastructure Master, PDC Emulator and Relative Identifier Master roles):

Get-ADDomain ldlnet.net | ft InfrastructureMaster, PDCEmulator, RIDMaster -a -wr

1	Get-ADDomain ldlnet.net \| ft InfrastructureMaster, PDCEmulator, RIDMaster -a -wr

Transfer FSMO Roles using PowerShell

To transfer FSMO roles between Active Directory domain controllers, we use the PowerShell cmdlet:
Move-ADDirectoryServerOperationMasterRole

To use the Move-ADDirectoryServerOperationMasterRole cmdlet, you must meet the following requirements:

There must be at least one DC with a version of Windows Server 2008 R2 or higher
PowerShell version 3.0 or newer
Active Directory module (2.0 or newer)

NOTE: Unlike the Ntdsutil.exe utility, the Move-ADDirectoryServerOperationMasteRole cmdlet can be performed from any domain computer to migrate the Operations Master roles if you have the appropriate rights (Domain admins and Enterprise Admins).

Import the AD Module:

Import-Module ActiveDirectory

1	Import-Module ActiveDirectory

I needed to move all the roles from one server to the other, so, I ran the following to do so:

Move-ADDirectoryServerOperationMasterRole -Identity “servername” –OperationMasterRole DomainNamingMaster,PDCEmulator,RIDMaster,SchemaMaster,InfrastructureMaster -Confirm:$False

1	Move-ADDirectoryServerOperationMasterRole -Identity “servername” –OperationMasterRole DomainNamingMaster,PDCEmulator,RIDMaster,SchemaMaster,InfrastructureMaster -Confirm:$False

NOTE: To simplify the command, you can replace the names of roles with numbers from 0 to 4. The correspondence of names and numbers is given in the table:

PDCEmulator	0
RIDMaster	1
InfrastructureMaster	2
SchemaMaster	3
DomainNamingMaster	4

So, by having knowledge of these numbers, you can simplify your cmdlet:

Move-ADDirectoryServerOperationMasterRole -Identity “servername” –OperationMasterRole 0,1,2,3,4 -Confirm:$False

1	Move-ADDirectoryServerOperationMasterRole -Identity “servername” –OperationMasterRole 0,1,2,3,4 -Confirm:$False

NOTE: In the event that the current owner of one or all of the FSMO roles fails, the forced transfer of FSMO roles is performed by the same command, but with the -Force option. Also, after the FSMO roles have been seized, the domain controller from which the roles was seized should never be connected to the domain. You will need to preform a metadata cleanup of the Schema before even thinking about putting that failed server back into production.

Once completed, I ran the previous cmdlets of Get-ADForest and Get-ADDomain to verify that the FSMO roles moved to the destination server.

As of now, my conversion to Hyper-V is going smoothly, although it takes quite a bit of time to convert the hard disks. Thanks again!

HAPPY TROUBLESHOOTING! KEEP SCRIPTING!
PLEASE COMMENT!

Reference:
How To Transfer FSMO Roles Using PowerShell

Lance LingerfeltFebruary 12, 2019February 12, 2019

Connect to all PowerShell Modules in O365 with one script

Let’s say you’re an admin that needs to connect to Office365 via PowerShell often. Now, there are many different websites or blogs that will show you how to connect to each session via PowerShell. That can cause a headache since you can end up having five different PowerShell sessions running in five different windows. You end up having to enter a username and password all those times, which can become time consuming.

I want to show you here how to combine all those sessions into one script where, if you’re security is tight enough on your computer, you don’t even have to enter credentials. This way, you can click on one icon and pull up all the O365 PowerShell commands that you’ll need to manage your organization.

First you need to download the following PowerShell Module Installation Files so that your PowerShell Database will have the correct modules installed:

Microsoft Online Service Sign-in Assistant for IT Professionals RTW
Windows Azure Active Directory Module for Windows PowerShell v2
SharePoint Online Management Shell
Skype for Business Online, Windows PowerShell Module

Next, we want to setup the CLI (Command Line Interface) to be too cool for school. I have learned it helps to have knowledge of how to customize the CLI window. You can do all of this in PowerShell ISE or Notepad, which ever you prefer. Here are the commands for the script that I use to setup the CLI:

#Set the PowerShell CLI. Make sure you have a directory named "C:\PowerShell"
set-location c:\PowerShell
$a = (Get-Host).UI.RawUI
$a.BackgroundColor = "black"
$a.ForegroundColor = "yellow"
$a.WindowTitle = "(Your Company Name) PowerShell for ALL O365 PowerShell Services"
$curUser= (Get-ChildItem Env:\USERNAME).Value
function prompt {"(Your Company Name) O365 PS: $(get-date -f "hh:mm:ss tt")&gt;"}
$host.UI.RawUI.WindowTitle = "(Your Comapny Name) O365 PowerShell &gt;&gt; User: $curUser &gt;&gt; Current Directory: $((Get-Location).Path)"

#Set the PowerShell CLI. Make sure you have a directory named "C:\PowerShell"

set-location c:\PowerShell

$a = (Get-Host).UI.RawUI

$a.BackgroundColor = "black"

$a.ForegroundColor = "yellow"

$a.WindowTitle = "(Your Company Name) PowerShell for ALL O365 PowerShell Services"

$curUser= (Get-ChildItem Env:\USERNAME).Value

function prompt {"(Your Company Name) O365 PS: $(get-date -f "hh:mm:ss tt")>"}

$host.UI.RawUI.WindowTitle = "(Your Comapny Name) O365 PowerShell >> User: $curUser >> Current Directory: $((Get-Location).Path)"

Next, you want to set your Execution Policy and put in your credentials so that you won’t be prompted to enter the user credentials when you run the script.

NOTE: MAKE SURE YOU KEEP YOUR SCRIPT SAFE AS THE CREDENTIALS ARE VISIBLE WITHIN THE SCRIPT IN PLAIN TEXT!

You can, alternatively, set your script to prompt for credentials every time by using the following:

$LiveCred = Get-Credential

Here is that part of the script:

#Setup Execution Policy and Credentials using your Tenant Admin Credentials
Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted
$user = "tenantadmin@companyname.onmicrosoft.com"
$pass = "adminpassword"
$secpass = $pass | ConvertTo-SecureString -AsPlainText -Force
$LiveCred = New-Object System.Management.Automation.PSCredential -ArgumentList $user, $secpass

#Setup Execution Policy and Credentials using your Tenant Admin Credentials

Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted

$user = "tenantadmin@companyname.onmicrosoft.com"

$pass = "adminpassword"

$secpass = $pass | ConvertTo-SecureString -AsPlainText -Force

$LiveCred = New-Object System.Management.Automation.PSCredential -ArgumentList $user, $secpass

Now we get into the importing of the modules for each O365 service:

Get the MSOnline Module:

#Set up the powershell cmdlets for Office365
Write-Host "Getting MSOnline Module" -ForegroundColor Green
Get-Module MSOnline

#Set up the powershell cmdlets for Office365

Write-Host "Getting MSOnline Module" -ForegroundColor Green

Get-Module MSOnline

Connect to the MSOnline Service:

#Connect the MS Online Service
Write-Host "Connecting to the MSOnline Service" -ForegroundColor Green
Connect-MSOLService -Credential $LiveCred

#Connect the MS Online Service

Write-Host "Connecting to the MSOnline Service" -ForegroundColor Green

Connect-MSOLService -Credential $LiveCred

Connect to Azure AD PowerShell:

#Connect to Azure Ad PowerShell
Write-Host "Connecting to Azure AD PowerShell" -ForegroundColor Green
Connect-AzureAD -Credential $LiveCred

#Connect to Azure Ad PowerShell

Write-Host "Connecting to Azure AD PowerShell" -ForegroundColor Green

Connect-AzureAD -Credential $LiveCred

Connect to SharePoint Online PowerShell:
NOTE – MAKE SURE YOU CHANGE TO YOUR COMPANY NAME IN THE URL!!

#Connect to SharePoint Online PowerShell
Write-Host "Connecting to SharePoint Online through PowerShell" -ForegroundColor Green
Import-Module Microsoft.Online.SharePoint.PowerShell -DisableNameChecking
Connect-SPOService -Url https://companyname-admin.sharepoint.com -credential $LiveCred

#Connect to SharePoint Online PowerShell

Write-Host "Connecting to SharePoint Online through PowerShell" -ForegroundColor Green

Import-Module Microsoft.Online.SharePoint.PowerShell -DisableNameChecking

Connect-SPOService -Url https://companyname-admin.sharepoint.com -credential $LiveCred

Connect to Exchange Online PowerShell:

#Connect to Exchange Powershell
Write-Host "Connecting to Exchange Online through PowerShell" -ForegroundColor Green
$Session = New-PSSession -ConfigurationName Microsoft.Exchange -ConnectionUri https://ps.outlook.com/powershell/ -Credential $LiveCred -Authentication Basic -AllowRedirection
Import-PSSession $Session

#Connect to Exchange Powershell

Write-Host "Connecting to Exchange Online through PowerShell" -ForegroundColor Green

$Session = New-PSSession -ConfigurationName Microsoft.Exchange -ConnectionUri https://ps.outlook.com/powershell/ -Credential $LiveCred -Authentication Basic -AllowRedirection

Import-PSSession $Session

Connect to Skype For Business Online PowerShell:

#Connect the Skype For Business Online Powershell Module
Write-Host "Connecting to Skype For Business Online through PowerShell" -ForegroundColor Green 
Import-Module SkypeOnlineConnector
$sfboSession = New-CsOnlineSession -Credential $LiveCred
Import-PSSession $sfboSession

#Connect the Skype For Business Online Powershell Module

Write-Host "Connecting to Skype For Business Online through PowerShell" -ForegroundColor Green

Import-Module SkypeOnlineConnector

$sfboSession = New-CsOnlineSession -Credential $LiveCred

Import-PSSession $sfboSession

Connect to the Security & Compliance PowerShell:
NOTE – This one I still get “Access Denied” when trying to connect. I have looked for an answer to that issue, but have not found one. Please comment with a link if you have an answer so that I can update this script!

#Connect the Security & Compliance Center PowerShell Module
Write-Host "Connecting to O365 Security & Compliance Online through PowerShell"-ForegroundColor Green
$SccSession = New-PSSession -ConfigurationName Microsoft.Exchange -ConnectionUri https://ps.compliance.protection.outlook.com/powershell-liveid -Credential $LiveCred -Verbose -Authentication Basic -AllowRedirection
Import-PSSession $SccSession -Prefix cc

#Connect the Security & Compliance Center PowerShell Module

Write-Host "Connecting to O365 Security & Compliance Online through PowerShell"-ForegroundColor Green

$SccSession = New-PSSession -ConfigurationName Microsoft.Exchange -ConnectionUri https://ps.compliance.protection.outlook.com/powershell-liveid -Credential $LiveCred -Verbose -Authentication Basic -AllowRedirection

Import-PSSession $SccSession -Prefix cc

Lastly, put in a note to show that the PS load is completed:

Write-Host "Be sure to check for any connectivity errors!" -ForegroundColor Green
Write-Host "Also, Remember to run 'Get-PSSession | Remove-PSSession' before closing your PowerShell Window!" -ForegroundColor Green
Write-Host "Successfully connected to all O365 PowerShell Services for (CompanyName)!" -ForegroundColor Green

Write-Host "Be sure to check for any connectivity errors!" -ForegroundColor Green

Write-Host "Also, Remember to run 'Get-PSSession | Remove-PSSession' before closing your PowerShell Window!" -ForegroundColor Green

Write-Host "Successfully connected to all O365 PowerShell Services for (CompanyName)!" -ForegroundColor Green

So Here is the final script in its entirety:

#Set the PowerShell CLI. Make sure you have a directory named "C:\PowerShell"
set-location c:\PowerShell
$a = (Get-Host).UI.RawUI
$a.BackgroundColor = "black"
$a.ForegroundColor = "yellow"
$a.WindowTitle = "(Your Company Name) PowerShell for ALL O365 PowerShell Services"
$curUser= (Get-ChildItem Env:\USERNAME).Value
function prompt {"(Your Company Name) O365 PS: $(get-date -f "hh:mm:ss tt")&gt;"}
$host.UI.RawUI.WindowTitle = "(Your Company Name) O365 PowerShell &gt;&gt; User: $curUser &gt;&gt; Current Directory: $((Get-Location).Path)"

#Setup Execution Policy and Credentials using your Tenant Admin Credentials
Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted
$user = "tenantadmin@companyname.onmicrosoft.com"
$pass = "adminpassword"
$secpass = $pass | ConvertTo-SecureString -AsPlainText -Force
$LiveCred = New-Object System.Management.Automation.PSCredential -ArgumentList $user, $secpass

#Set up the powershell cmdlets for Office365
Write-Host "Getting MSOnline Module" -ForegroundColor Green
Get-Module MSOnline

#Connect the MS Online Service
Write-Host "Connecting to the MSOnline Service" -ForegroundColor Green
Connect-MSOLService -Credential $LiveCred

#Connect to Azure Ad PowerShell
Write-Host "Connecting to Azure AD PowerShell" -ForegroundColor Green
Connect-AzureAD -Credential $LiveCred

#Connect to SharePoint Online PowerShell
Write-Host "Connecting to SharePoint Online through PowerShell" -ForegroundColor Green
Import-Module Microsoft.Online.SharePoint.PowerShell -DisableNameChecking
Connect-SPOService -Url https://companyname-admin.sharepoint.com -credential $LiveCred

#Connect to Exchange Powershell
Write-Host "Connecting to Exchange Online through PowerShell" -ForegroundColor Green
$Session = New-PSSession -ConfigurationName Microsoft.Exchange -ConnectionUri https://ps.outlook.com/powershell/ -Credential $LiveCred -Authentication Basic -AllowRedirection
Import-PSSession $Session

#Connect the Skype For Business Online Powershell Module
Write-Host "Connecting to Skype For Business Online through PowerShell" -ForegroundColor Green 
Import-Module SkypeOnlineConnector
$sfboSession = New-CsOnlineSession -Credential $LiveCred
Import-PSSession $sfboSession

#Connect the Security &amp; Compliance Center PowerShell Module
Write-Host "Connecting to O365 Security &amp; Compliance Online through PowerShell"-ForegroundColor Green
$SccSession = New-PSSession -ConfigurationName Microsoft.Exchange -ConnectionUri https://ps.compliance.protection.outlook.com/powershell-liveid -Credential $LiveCred -Verbose -Authentication Basic -AllowRedirection
Import-PSSession $SccSession -Prefix cc

Write-Host "Be sure to check for any connectivity errors!" -ForegroundColor Green
Write-Host "Also, Remember to run 'Get-PSSession | Remove-PSSession' before closing your PowerShell Window!" -ForegroundColor Green
Write-Host "Successfully connected to all O365 PowerShell Services for (CompanyName)!" -ForegroundColor Green

#Set the PowerShell CLI. Make sure you have a directory named "C:\PowerShell"

set-location c:\PowerShell

$a = (Get-Host).UI.RawUI

$a.BackgroundColor = "black"

$a.ForegroundColor = "yellow"

$a.WindowTitle = "(Your Company Name) PowerShell for ALL O365 PowerShell Services"

$curUser= (Get-ChildItem Env:\USERNAME).Value

function prompt {"(Your Company Name) O365 PS: $(get-date -f "hh:mm:ss tt")>"}

$host.UI.RawUI.WindowTitle = "(Your Company Name) O365 PowerShell >> User: $curUser >> Current Directory: $((Get-Location).Path)"

#Setup Execution Policy and Credentials using your Tenant Admin Credentials

Set-ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted

$user = "tenantadmin@companyname.onmicrosoft.com"

$pass = "adminpassword"

$secpass = $pass | ConvertTo-SecureString -AsPlainText -Force

$LiveCred = New-Object System.Management.Automation.PSCredential -ArgumentList $user, $secpass

#Set up the powershell cmdlets for Office365

Write-Host "Getting MSOnline Module" -ForegroundColor Green

Get-Module MSOnline

#Connect the MS Online Service

Write-Host "Connecting to the MSOnline Service" -ForegroundColor Green

Connect-MSOLService -Credential $LiveCred

#Connect to Azure Ad PowerShell

Write-Host "Connecting to Azure AD PowerShell" -ForegroundColor Green

Connect-AzureAD -Credential $LiveCred

#Connect to SharePoint Online PowerShell

Write-Host "Connecting to SharePoint Online through PowerShell" -ForegroundColor Green

Import-Module Microsoft.Online.SharePoint.PowerShell -DisableNameChecking

Connect-SPOService -Url https://companyname-admin.sharepoint.com -credential $LiveCred

#Connect to Exchange Powershell

Write-Host "Connecting to Exchange Online through PowerShell" -ForegroundColor Green

$Session = New-PSSession -ConfigurationName Microsoft.Exchange -ConnectionUri https://ps.outlook.com/powershell/ -Credential $LiveCred -Authentication Basic -AllowRedirection

Import-PSSession $Session

#Connect the Skype For Business Online Powershell Module

Write-Host "Connecting to Skype For Business Online through PowerShell" -ForegroundColor Green

Import-Module SkypeOnlineConnector

$sfboSession = New-CsOnlineSession -Credential $LiveCred

Import-PSSession $sfboSession

#Connect the Security & Compliance Center PowerShell Module

Write-Host "Connecting to O365 Security & Compliance Online through PowerShell"-ForegroundColor Green

Import-PSSession $SccSession -Prefix cc

Write-Host "Be sure to check for any connectivity errors!" -ForegroundColor Green

Write-Host "Also, Remember to run 'Get-PSSession | Remove-PSSession' before closing your PowerShell Window!" -ForegroundColor Green

Write-Host "Successfully connected to all O365 PowerShell Services for (CompanyName)!" -ForegroundColor Green

Now you can create your icon for your desktop so that you can easily access the script. I would save the script to your Scripts directory.

That will usually be C:\Users\’username’\Documents\WindowsPowerShell\Scripts or wherever directory you choose.

To start, right click the desktop and choose New > Shortcut
In the Target Field, enter the following for your PowerShell Shortcut, pointing to the path of your script:

C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe -noexit -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -File “C:\Users\username\Documents\WindowsPowerShell\Scripts\ConnectO365All.ps1”

Click on the Advanced button and check the box: Run As Administrator
Under the General Tab, name your shortcut: (CompanyName) O365 All PowerShell
Click OK to save the shortcut to your desktop.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST, RUN THE FOLLOWING COMMAND BEFORE EXITING OR CLOSING YOUR POWERSHELL WINDOW. THIS WILL REMOVE ALL THE SESSIONS YOU’VE CONNECTED TO:

Get-PSSession | Remove-PSSession

HAPPY SCRIPTING!
LEARN, DO, LIVE!

References:
Connect to all O365 Services in one PowerShell Window
How to connect to all O365 Services through PowerShell
Connecting to Office 365 “Everything” via PowerShell

Lance LingerfeltJanuary 21, 2019

PowerDNS Script

I was compiling some scripts to be able to modify DNS records in my previous post. While browsing through different scripts in the TechNet Gallery, I came across the following Script that provides a menu, options, and different settings which really make it a great script to use if you do a lot of DNS Modification and want to do it through PowerShell.

Here is the link to the original script page, but I have updated and modified the script to include being able to add/remove DNS Zones as well.

<# Welcome to PowerDNS V1.0! This Script is prepared by Subhro Majumder. Modified by Lance Lingerfelt - LDLNET LLC. #> 
 
<# The script has been prepared and tested in Powershell 4.0. So when you run this script, please make sure that the Powershell version is 4.0 or above. #> 
 
<# Using this script , you can Look-Up, Create and Delete A,PTR and CNAME Records. You can also Look-Up, Create, and Remove DNS Zones.#> 
 
<# This script is suitable for single record entry as well as bulk entry. For every operation there are two options, Single and Bulk.  
 
For Bulk entry you need to create an input file in CSV format. Sample input files has been provided along with this script. #> 
 
<# While Deleting records, you will get a confirmation box for each record, to ensure that you are going to delete the correct record. #> 
 
<# While this script has been tested multiple times, I recommend that you test it in a test environment before using it in a production environment.#> 
 
<# While every attempt has been made to make this script error free, I will not take any responsibilty for any consequence that would happen while running the script.#> 
 
 
function Show-Menu 
 
{ 
 
 
     param ( 
           [string]$Title = 'Welcome to the PowerDNS! This is a one stop solution for all DNS related work' 
     ) 
     cls 
     Write-Host "===== $Title =====" -ForegroundColor Yellow
     Write-Host "                   " 
      
     Write-Host "Using this script, you can Look-Up, Create and Delete A,PTR and CNAME Records. You can also Look-Up, Create, and Remove DNS Zones." -ForegroundColor Yellow
     Write-Host "                   " 
     Write-Host "The script has been prepared and tested in Powershell 4.0. So when you run this script, please make sure that the Powershell version is 4.0 or above." -ForegroundColor Yellow
     Write-Host "                   " 
     Write-Host "This script is suitable for single record entry as well as bulk entry. For every operation there are two options, Single and Bulk." -ForegroundColor Yellow
     Write-Host "                   " 
     Write-Host "For Bulk entry you need to create an input file in CSV format. Sample input files has been provided along with this script." -ForegroundColor Yellow
     Write-Host "                   " 
     Write-Host "While Deleting records/zones, you will get a confirmation box for each record/zone, to ensure that you are going to delete the correct record/zone." -ForegroundColor Yellow
     Write-Host "                   " 
     Write-Host "While this script has been tested multiple times, I recommend that you test it in a test environment before using it in a production environment." -ForegroundColor Yellow
     Write-Host "                   " 
     Write-Host "While every attempt has been made to make this script error free, I will not take any responsibilty for any consequence that would happen while running the script." -ForegroundColor Yellow
 
     Write-Host "                   " 
 
     Write-Host "--------------MENU----------------" -ForegroundColor Yellow
     Write-Host "                   " 
     Write-Host "1: Press 1 to Lookup DNS Records." -ForegroundColor DarkYellow
     Write-Host "                   " 
     Write-Host "2: Press 2 to Create Host Records." -ForegroundColor Green
     Write-Host "                   " 
     Write-Host "3: Press 3 to Create PTR Records." -ForegroundColor Green
     Write-Host "                   " 
     Write-Host "4: Press 4 to Create CNAME Records." -ForegroundColor Green
     Write-Host "                   " 
     Write-Host "5: Press 5 to Delete Host Records." -ForegroundColor Red
     Write-Host "                   " 
     Write-Host "6: Press 6 to Delete PTR Records." -ForegroundColor Red
     Write-Host "                   " 
     Write-Host "7: Press 7 to Delete CNAME Records." -ForegroundColor Red
     Write-Host "                   "
     Write-Host "8: Press 8 to Create DNS Primary Zones." -ForegroundColor DarkGreen
     Write-Host "                   "
     Write-Host "9: Press 9 to Create DNS Secondary Zones." -ForegroundColor DarkGreen
     Write-Host "                   "
     Write-Host "10: Press 10 to Create DNS Stub Zones." -ForegroundColor DarkGreen
     Write-Host "                   "
     Write-Host "11: Press 11 to Remove DNS Zones." -ForegroundColor Magenta
     Write-Host "                   "    
     Write-Host "Q: Press 'Q' to quit this Program." -ForegroundColor Yellow
     Write-Host "----------------------------------" -ForegroundColor Yellow
     Write-Host "                   " 
 
} 
 
function Lookup-SingleDNS 
 
{ 
 
cls 
'You chose Single DNS Lookup' 
$input = Read-Host "Please enter the value you want to look up" 
 
Resolve-DNSName -Name "$input" -nohostsfile -type All | ft Name,Type,TTL,IPAddress,NameExchange,Preference,Namehost,Strings -autosize 
"                       " 
"                        " 
  
}  
 
function Lookup-BulkDNS 
 
{ 
 
cls 
'You chose Bulk DNS Lookup' 
 
$inputfile = Read-Host "Please enter the location of the input file"
 
$output1= Read-Host "Please enter the location of the output file" 
 
$records= Get-Content $inputfile 
  
foreach ($record in $records) 
{ 
  
$output=Resolve-DnsName -Name $record -NoHostsFile -Type ALL
 
$output | ft Name,Type,TTL,IPAddress,NameExchange,Preference,Namehost,Strings | Out-File -FilePath $output1 -Append -NoClobber 
  
  
} 
 
} 
 
 
function Create-SingleHostEntry 
 
{ 
 
Write-Host "Please Note: While creating the Host Record, corresponding PTR Record will also be created." -ForegroundColor Yellow
 
$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name where you want to create the Record"
 
$zone= Read-Host "Please enter the Zone Name"
 
$name= Read-Host "Please enter the Record value (Without FQDN )"
 
$IP= Read-Host "Please enter the IP Address" 
 
Add-DnsServerResourceRecordA -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $name -ZoneName $zone -IPv4Address $IP -TimeToLive 05:00:00 -CreatePtr -Confirm 
 
 
} 
 
function Create-BulkHostEntry 
 
{ 
 
Write-Host "Please Note: While creating the Host Records, corresponding PTR Records will also be created." -ForegroundColor Yellow
 
$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name where you want to create the Record"
 
$zone= Read-Host "Please enter the Zone Name" 
 
$inputfile = Read-Host "Please enter the location of the input file. Input file format is CSV. Include these headers: name,IP" 
 
import-csv -Path $inputfile | foreach-object {Add-DnsServerResourceRecordA -computername $dnsserver -Name $_.name -ZoneName $zone -IPv4Address $_.IP -TimeToLive 05:00:00 -CreatePtr -Confirm} 
 
 
} 
 
 
function Create-SinglePTREntry 
 
{ 
 
$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name where you want to create the Record"
 
$zone= Read-Host "Please enter the Reverse Zone Name" 

$FQDN= Read-Host "Please enter the record value (With FQDN )" 

$IP= Read-Host "Please enter the Host octects of the IP Address.Please do not include Network octets." 
 
Add-DnsServerResourceRecord -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $IP -PTR -ZoneName $zone -PtrDomainName $FQDN -TimeToLive 05:00:00 -Confirm 
 
} 
 
function Create-BulkPTREntry 
 
{ 
 
$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name where you want to create the Record"
 
$zone= Read-Host "Please enter the Reverse Zone Name" 
 
$inputfile = Read-Host "Please enter the location of the input file. Input file format is CSV. Include these headers: IP,FQDN" 
 
Import-Csv -Path $inputfile| foreach-object { Add-DnsServerResourceRecord -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $_.IP -PTR -ZoneName $zone -PtrDomainName $_.FQDN -TimeToLive 05:00:00 -Confirm} 
 
} 
 
 
function Create-SingleCNAMEEntry 
 
 
{ 
 
$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name where you want to create the Record"
 
$alias= Read-Host "Please enter the Alias Name" 

$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Zone Name" 

$FQDN= Read-Host "Please enter the FQDN for the alias" 
 
 
Add-DnsServerResourceRecord -CName -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $alias -HostNameAlias $FQDN -ZoneName $zonename -TimeToLive 05:00:00 -Confirm 
 
} 
 
 
function Create-BulkCNAMEEntry 
 
{ 
 
$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name where you want to create the Record"
 
$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Zone Name" 
 
$inputfile = Read-Host "Please enter the location of the input file. Input file format is CSV: alias,FQDN." 
 
Import-Csv -Path $inputfile| foreach-object { Add-DnsServerResourceRecord -CName -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $_.alias -HostNameAlias $_.FQDN -ZoneName $zonename -TimeToLive 05:00:00 -Confirm } 
 
  
} 
 
 
function Delete-SingleHostEntry 
 
{ 
 
Write-Host "There can be multiple Host Records (IPs) for a given Host Name. Only one Record for the matching IP address will be deleted" -ForegroundColor Yellow
Write-Host "For Example: In contoso.com zone there are two records test.contoso.com > 192.168.1.23 and test.contoso.com > 192.168.1.24. This action removes only one of the entries of test.contoso.com, matching the IP address." -ForegroundColor Yellow
 
$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to delete the Record"
 
$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Zone Name"
 
$name= Read-Host "Please enter the Host Record Name (Without FQDN)" 

$IP= Read-Host "Please enter the IP address of the Host Record which you want to delete" 
 
 
Remove-DnsServerResourceRecord -computername $dnsserver -ZoneName $zonename -RRType "A" -Name $name -RecordData $IP -Confirm 
 
 
} 
 
function Delete-BulkHostEntry 
 
{ 
Write-Host "There can be multiple Host Records (IPs) for a given Host Name. Only one Record for the matching IP address will be deleted" -ForegroundColor Yellow
Write-Host "For Example: In contoso.com zone there are two records test.contoso.com > 192.168.1.23 and test.contoso.com > 192.168.1.24. This action removes only one of the entries of host.contoso.com, matching the IP address." -ForegroundColor Yellow
Write-Host "                  " 
 
$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to delete the record"
 
$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Zone Name where the Record is located" 
 
$inputfile = Read-Host "Please enter the location of the input file. Input file format is CSV.Please include these Headers: name,IP." 
 
 
Import-Csv -Path $inputfile| foreach-object { Remove-DnsServerResourceRecord -computername $dnsserver -ZoneName $zonename -RRType "A" -Name $_.name -RecordData $_.IP -Confirm } 
 
 
} 
 
 
function Delete-SinglePTREntry 
 
{ 
 
$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to delete the record"
 
$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Reverse Zone Name" 

$IP= Read-Host "Please enter the IP address of the PTR Record. Only the Host octet is required." 
 
 
Remove-DnsServerResourceRecord -computername $dnsserver -ZoneName $zonename -RRType "PTR" -Name $IP -Confirm 
 
} 
 
 
function Delete-BulkPTREntry 
 
{ 
 
$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to delete the record" 

$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Reverse Zone Name" 
 
$inputfile = Read-Host "Please enter the location of the input file. Input file format is CSV.Include the Header: IP." 
 
 
Import-Csv -Path $inputfile| foreach-object {Remove-DnsServerResourceRecord -computername $dnsserver -ZoneName $zonename -RRType "PTR" -Name $_.IP -Confirm} 
 
} 
 
 
function Delete-SingleCNAMEEntry 
 
 
{ 
 
$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to delete the record" 

$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Zone Name where the Alias Record is located." 

$name= Read-Host "Please enter the Alias Name (Without FQDN)" 
 
 
Remove-DnsServerResourceRecord -computername $dnsserver -ZoneName $zonename -RRType "CNAME" -Name $name -Confirm 
 
 
} 
 
 
function Delete-BulkCNAMEEntry 
 
 
{ 
 
$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to delete the record" 
 
$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Zone Name where the Alias Record is located." 
 
$inputfile = Read-Host "Please enter the location of the input file. Input file format is CSV. Include the Header: aliasname." 
 
 
Import-Csv -Path $inputfile | foreach-object {Remove-DnsServerResourceRecord -computername $dnsserver -ZoneName $zonename -RRType "CNAME" -Name $_.alias -Confirm} 
 
 
} 

function Add-PrimaryDNSZoneEntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to create the DNS zone"

$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Primary DNS Zone Name you want to create. (i.e. ldlnet.local)"

$replicationScope= Read-Host "Please enter the AD replication scope for the zone. (i.e. Forest, Domain, or Legacy)"

$dynamicupdate= Read-Host "Please specify how the Zone accepts dynamic updates. (i.e. None, Secure, NonSecureAndSecure)"

Add-DnsServerPrimaryZone -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $zonename -ReplicationScope $replicationScope -DynamicUpdate $dynamicupdate -PassThru -Confirm:$true

}

function Add-PrimaryBulkDNSZoneEntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to create the DNS zones"

$replicationScope= Read-Host "Please enter the AD replication scope for the zone. (i.e. Forest, Domain, or Legacy)"

$dynamicupdate= Read-Host "Please specify how the Zone accepts dynamic updates. (i.e. None, Secure, NonSecureAndSecure)"

$inputfile = Read-Host "Please enter the full path of the input file. Input file format is CSV. Include the Header: zone." 

Import-Csv -Path $inputfile | foreach-object {Add-DnsServerPrimaryZone -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $_.zone -ReplicationScope $replicationScope -DynamicUpdate $dynamicupdate -PassThru -Confirm:$true}

}

function Add-SecondaryDNSZoneEntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to create the DNS zone"

$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Secondary DNS Zone Name you want to create. (i.e. ldlnet.local)"

$replicationScope= Read-Host "Please enter the AD replication scope for the zone. (i.e. Forest, Domain, or Legacy)"

$dynamicupdate= Read-Host "Please specify how the Zone accepts dynamic updates. (i.e. None, Secure, NonSecureAndSecure)"

Add-DnsServerSecondaryZone -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $zonename -ReplicationScope $replicationScope -DynamicUpdate $dynamicupdate -PassThru -Confirm:$true

}

function Add-SecondaryBulkDNSZoneEntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to create the DNS zones"

$replicationScope= Read-Host "Please enter the AD replication scope for the zone. (i.e. Forest, Domain, or Legacy)"

$dynamicupdate= Read-Host "Please specify how the Zone accepts dynamic updates. (i.e. None, Secure, NonSecureAndSecure)"

$inputfile = Read-Host "Please enter the full path of the input file. Input file format is CSV. Include the Header: zone." 

Import-Csv -Path $inputfile | foreach-object {Add-DnsServerSecondaryZone -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $_.zone -ReplicationScope $replicationScope -DynamicUpdate $dynamicupdate -PassThru -Confirm:$true}

}

function Add-StubDNSZoneEntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to create the DNS zone"

$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Stub DNS Zone Name you want to create. (i.e. ldlnet.local)"

$replicationScope= Read-Host "Please enter the AD replication scope for the zone. (i.e. Forest, Domain, or Legacy)"

$ms= Read-Host "Please specify the ip of the server that holds the authoritative records for the zone. (i.e. 192.168.3.107)"

Add-DnsServerStubZone -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $zonename -ReplicationScope $replicationScope -MasterServers $ms -PassThru -Confirm:$true

}

function Add-StubBulkDNSZoneEntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to create the DNS zones"

$replicationScope= Read-Host "Please enter the AD replication scope for the zone. (i.e. Forest, Domain, or Legacy)"

$ms= Read-Host "Please specify the ip of the server that holds the authoritative records for the zone. (i.e. 192.168.3.107)"

$inputfile = Read-Host "Please enter the full path of the input file. Input file format is CSV. Include the Header: zone." 

Import-Csv -Path $inputfile | foreach-object {Add-DnsServerStubZone -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $_.zone -ReplicationScope $replicationScope -MasterServers $ms -PassThru -Confirm:$true}

}

function Remove-DNSZoneEntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to remove the DNS zone"

$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Stub DNS Zone Name you want to remove. (i.e. ldlnet.local)"


Remove-DnsServerZone -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $zonename -PassThru -Confirm:$true -Verbose

}

function Remove-BulkDNSZoneEntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to remove the DNS zones"

$inputfile = Read-Host "Please enter the full path of the input file. Input file format is CSV. Include the Header: zone." 

Import-Csv -Path $inputfile | foreach-object {Remove-DnsServerZone -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $_.zone -PassThru -Confirm:$true -Verbose}

}
 
do 
{ 
     Show-Menu 
     $input = Read-Host "Please make a selection" 
     switch ($input) 
     { 
           '1' { 
                cls 
                'You have selected option #1' 
                'Press 1 for Single DNS Lookup' 
                'Press 2 for Bulk DNS Lookup' 
                'Press Q to Return to the Main Menu' 
                $input1=Read-Host "Please make a selection" 
                switch ($input1) 
 
                { 
 
                  1 { Lookup-SingleDNS } 
 
                  2 { Lookup-BulkDNS } 
 
                  Q { Show-Menu }  
 
                } 
 
                  }  
            
           '2' { 
                cls 
                'You have selected option #2' 
 
                'Press 1 for Single Host Entry' 
                'Press 2 for Bulk Host Entries' 
                'Press Q to Return to the Main Menu' 
 
                $input1=Read-Host "Please make a selection" 
 
                 switch ($input1) 
 
                { 
 
                  1 { Create-SingleHostEntry } 
 
                  2 { Create-BulkHostEntry } 
 
                  Q { Show-Menu }  
 
                } 
 
                  } 
            
            
            
           '3'  { 
                cls 
                'You have selected option #3' 
 
                'Press 1 for Single PTR Record' 
                'Press 2 for Bulk PTR Records' 
                'Press Q to Return to the Main Menu' 
 
                $input1=Read-Host "Please make a selection" 
 
                 switch ($input1) 
 
                { 
 
                  1 { Create-SinglePTREntry } 
 
                  2 { Create-BulkPTREntry } 
 
                  Q { Show-Menu}  
 
                } 
 
                  } 
 
 
               '4'  { 
 
                cls 
 
                'You have selected option #4' 
 
                'Press 1 for Single CNAME Record' 
                'Press 2 for Bulk CNAME Records' 
                'Press Q to Return to the Main Menu' 
 
                $input1=Read-Host "Please make a selection" 
 
                 switch ($input1) 
 
                { 
 
                  1 { Create-SingleCNAMEEntry } 
 
                  2 { Create-BulkCNAMEEntry } 
 
                  Q { Show-Menu }  
 
                } 
 
                  } 
 
 
 
                     '5'  { 
 
                cls 
 
                'You have selected option #5' 
 
                'Press 1 to Delete Single Host Record' 
                'Press 2 to Delete multiple Host Records ' 
                'Press Q to Return to the Main Menu' 
 
                $input1=Read-Host "Please make a selection" 
 
                 switch ($input1) 
 
                { 
 
                  1 { Delete-SingleHostEntry } 
 
                  2 { Delete-BulkHostEntry } 
 
                  Q { Show-Menu }  
 
                } 
 
                  } 
 
 
 
                  '6'  { 
 
                cls 
 
                'You have selected option #6' 
 
                'Press 1 to Delete Single PTR Record' 
                'Press 2 to Delete multiple PTR Records ' 
                'Press Q to Return to the Main Menu' 
 
                $input1=Read-Host "Please make a selection" 
 
                 switch ($input1) 
 
                { 
 
                  1 { Delete-SinglePTREntry } 
 
                  2 { Delete-BulkPTREntry } 
 
                  Q { Show-Menu}  
 
                } 
 
                  } 
 
 
 
 
                  '7'  { 
 
                cls 
 
                'You have selected option #7' 
 
                'Press 1 to Delete Single CNAME Record' 
                'Press 2 to Delete multiple CNAME Records ' 
                'Press Q to Return to the Main Menu' 
 
                $input1=Read-Host "Please make a selection" 
 
                 switch ($input1) 
 
                { 
 
                  1 { Delete-SingleCNAMEEntry } 
 
                  2 { Delete-BulkCNAMEEntry } 
 
                  Q { Show-Menu }  
 
                } 
 
                  } 
 
 
                 '8'  { 
 
                cls 
 
                'You have selected option #8' 
 
                'Press 1 to Create a Single Primary DNS Zone' 
                'Press 2 to Create multiple Primary DNS Zones' 
                'Press Q to Return to the Main Menu' 
 
                $input1=Read-Host "Please make a selection" 
 
                 switch ($input1) 
 
                { 
 
                  1 { Add-PrimaryDNSZoneEntry } 
 
                  2 { Add-PrimaryBulkDNSZoneEntry } 
 
                  Q { Show-Menu }  
 
                } 
 
                  } 

                 '9'  { 
 
                cls 
 
                'You have selected option #9' 
 
                'Press 1 to Create a Single Secondary DNS Zone' 
                'Press 2 to Create multiple Secondary DNS Zones' 
                'Press Q to Return to the Main Menu' 
 
                $input1=Read-Host "Please make a selection" 
 
                 switch ($input1) 
 
                { 
 
                  1 { Add-SecondaryDNSZoneEntry } 
 
                  2 { Add-SecondaryBulkDNSZoneEntry } 
 
                  Q { Show-Menu }  
 
                } 
 
                  } 

                '10'  { 
 
                cls 
 
                'You have selected option #10' 
 
                'Press 1 to Create a Single Stub DNS Zone' 
                'Press 2 to Create multiple Stub DNS Zones' 
                'Press Q to Return to the Main Menu' 
 
                $input1=Read-Host "Please make a selection" 
 
                 switch ($input1) 
 
                { 
 
                  1 { Add-StubDNSZoneEntry } 
 
                  2 { Add-StubBulkDNSZoneEntry } 
 
                  Q { Show-Menu }  
 
                } 
 
                  }

                '11'  { 
 
                cls 
 
                'You have selected option #11' 
 
                'Press 1 to Remove a Single DNS Zone' 
                'Press 2 to Remove multiple DNS Zones' 
                'Press Q to Return to the Main Menu' 
 
                $input1=Read-Host "Please make a selection" 
 
                 switch ($input1) 
 
                { 
 
                  1 { Remove-DNSZoneEntry } 
 
                  2 { Remove-BulkDNSZoneEntry } 
 
                  Q { Show-Menu }  
 
                } 
 
                  }

           
           'q' { 
                return 
               } 
     } 
     pause 
} 
until ($input -eq 'q')

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<# Welcome to PowerDNS V1.0! This Script is prepared by Subhro Majumder. Modified by Lance Lingerfelt - LDLNET LLC. #>

<# The script has been prepared and tested in Powershell 4.0. So when you run this script, please make sure that the Powershell version is 4.0 or above. #>

<# Using this script , you can Look-Up, Create and Delete A,PTR and CNAME Records. You can also Look-Up, Create, and Remove DNS Zones.#>

<# This script is suitable for single record entry as well as bulk entry. For every operation there are two options, Single and Bulk.

For Bulk entry you need to create an input file in CSV format. Sample input files has been provided along with this script. #>

<# While Deleting records, you will get a confirmation box for each record, to ensure that you are going to delete the correct record. #>

<# While this script has been tested multiple times, I recommend that you test it in a test environment before using it in a production environment.#>

<# While every attempt has been made to make this script error free, I will not take any responsibilty for any consequence that would happen while running the script.#>

function Show-Menu

{

param (

[string]$Title = 'Welcome to the PowerDNS! This is a one stop solution for all DNS related work'

)

cls

Write-Host "===== $Title =====" -ForegroundColor Yellow

Write-Host " "

Write-Host "Using this script, you can Look-Up, Create and Delete A,PTR and CNAME Records. You can also Look-Up, Create, and Remove DNS Zones." -ForegroundColor Yellow

Write-Host " "

Write-Host "The script has been prepared and tested in Powershell 4.0. So when you run this script, please make sure that the Powershell version is 4.0 or above." -ForegroundColor Yellow

Write-Host " "

Write-Host "This script is suitable for single record entry as well as bulk entry. For every operation there are two options, Single and Bulk." -ForegroundColor Yellow

Write-Host " "

Write-Host "For Bulk entry you need to create an input file in CSV format. Sample input files has been provided along with this script." -ForegroundColor Yellow

Write-Host " "

Write-Host "While Deleting records/zones, you will get a confirmation box for each record/zone, to ensure that you are going to delete the correct record/zone." -ForegroundColor Yellow

Write-Host " "

Write-Host "While this script has been tested multiple times, I recommend that you test it in a test environment before using it in a production environment." -ForegroundColor Yellow

Write-Host " "

Write-Host "While every attempt has been made to make this script error free, I will not take any responsibilty for any consequence that would happen while running the script." -ForegroundColor Yellow

Write-Host " "

Write-Host "--------------MENU----------------" -ForegroundColor Yellow

Write-Host " "

Write-Host "1: Press 1 to Lookup DNS Records." -ForegroundColor DarkYellow

Write-Host " "

Write-Host "2: Press 2 to Create Host Records." -ForegroundColor Green

Write-Host " "

Write-Host "3: Press 3 to Create PTR Records." -ForegroundColor Green

Write-Host " "

Write-Host "4: Press 4 to Create CNAME Records." -ForegroundColor Green

Write-Host " "

Write-Host "5: Press 5 to Delete Host Records." -ForegroundColor Red

Write-Host " "

Write-Host "6: Press 6 to Delete PTR Records." -ForegroundColor Red

Write-Host " "

Write-Host "7: Press 7 to Delete CNAME Records." -ForegroundColor Red

Write-Host " "

Write-Host "8: Press 8 to Create DNS Primary Zones." -ForegroundColor DarkGreen

Write-Host " "

Write-Host "9: Press 9 to Create DNS Secondary Zones." -ForegroundColor DarkGreen

Write-Host " "

Write-Host "10: Press 10 to Create DNS Stub Zones." -ForegroundColor DarkGreen

Write-Host " "

Write-Host "11: Press 11 to Remove DNS Zones." -ForegroundColor Magenta

Write-Host " "

Write-Host "Q: Press 'Q' to quit this Program." -ForegroundColor Yellow

Write-Host "----------------------------------" -ForegroundColor Yellow

Write-Host " "

}

function Lookup-SingleDNS

{

cls

'You chose Single DNS Lookup'

$input = Read-Host "Please enter the value you want to look up"

Resolve-DNSName -Name "$input" -nohostsfile -type All | ft Name,Type,TTL,IPAddress,NameExchange,Preference,Namehost,Strings -autosize

" "

}

function Lookup-BulkDNS

{

cls

'You chose Bulk DNS Lookup'

$inputfile = Read-Host "Please enter the location of the input file"

$output1= Read-Host "Please enter the location of the output file"

$records= Get-Content $inputfile

foreach ($record in $records)

{

$output=Resolve-DnsName -Name $record -NoHostsFile -Type ALL

$output | ft Name,Type,TTL,IPAddress,NameExchange,Preference,Namehost,Strings | Out-File -FilePath $output1 -Append -NoClobber

}

function Create-SingleHostEntry

{

Write-Host "Please Note: While creating the Host Record, corresponding PTR Record will also be created." -ForegroundColor Yellow

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name where you want to create the Record"

$zone= Read-Host "Please enter the Zone Name"

$name= Read-Host "Please enter the Record value (Without FQDN )"

$IP= Read-Host "Please enter the IP Address"

Add-DnsServerResourceRecordA -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $name -ZoneName $zone -IPv4Address $IP -TimeToLive 05:00:00 -CreatePtr -Confirm

}

function Create-BulkHostEntry

{

Write-Host "Please Note: While creating the Host Records, corresponding PTR Records will also be created." -ForegroundColor Yellow

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name where you want to create the Record"

$zone= Read-Host "Please enter the Zone Name"

$inputfile = Read-Host "Please enter the location of the input file. Input file format is CSV. Include these headers: name,IP"

import-csv -Path $inputfile | foreach-object {Add-DnsServerResourceRecordA -computername $dnsserver -Name $_.name -ZoneName $zone -IPv4Address $_.IP -TimeToLive 05:00:00 -CreatePtr -Confirm}

}

function Create-SinglePTREntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name where you want to create the Record"

$zone= Read-Host "Please enter the Reverse Zone Name"

$FQDN= Read-Host "Please enter the record value (With FQDN )"

$IP= Read-Host "Please enter the Host octects of the IP Address.Please do not include Network octets."

Add-DnsServerResourceRecord -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $IP -PTR -ZoneName $zone -PtrDomainName $FQDN -TimeToLive 05:00:00 -Confirm

}

function Create-BulkPTREntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name where you want to create the Record"

$zone= Read-Host "Please enter the Reverse Zone Name"

$inputfile = Read-Host "Please enter the location of the input file. Input file format is CSV. Include these headers: IP,FQDN"

Import-Csv -Path $inputfile| foreach-object { Add-DnsServerResourceRecord -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $_.IP -PTR -ZoneName $zone -PtrDomainName $_.FQDN -TimeToLive 05:00:00 -Confirm}

}

function Create-SingleCNAMEEntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name where you want to create the Record"

$alias= Read-Host "Please enter the Alias Name"

$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Zone Name"

$FQDN= Read-Host "Please enter the FQDN for the alias"

Add-DnsServerResourceRecord -CName -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $alias -HostNameAlias $FQDN -ZoneName $zonename -TimeToLive 05:00:00 -Confirm

}

function Create-BulkCNAMEEntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name where you want to create the Record"

$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Zone Name"

$inputfile = Read-Host "Please enter the location of the input file. Input file format is CSV: alias,FQDN."

Import-Csv -Path $inputfile| foreach-object { Add-DnsServerResourceRecord -CName -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $_.alias -HostNameAlias $_.FQDN -ZoneName $zonename -TimeToLive 05:00:00 -Confirm }

}

function Delete-SingleHostEntry

{

Write-Host "There can be multiple Host Records (IPs) for a given Host Name. Only one Record for the matching IP address will be deleted" -ForegroundColor Yellow

Write-Host "For Example: In contoso.com zone there are two records test.contoso.com > 192.168.1.23 and test.contoso.com > 192.168.1.24. This action removes only one of the entries of test.contoso.com, matching the IP address." -ForegroundColor Yellow

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to delete the Record"

$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Zone Name"

$name= Read-Host "Please enter the Host Record Name (Without FQDN)"

$IP= Read-Host "Please enter the IP address of the Host Record which you want to delete"

Remove-DnsServerResourceRecord -computername $dnsserver -ZoneName $zonename -RRType "A" -Name $name -RecordData $IP -Confirm

}

function Delete-BulkHostEntry

{

Write-Host "There can be multiple Host Records (IPs) for a given Host Name. Only one Record for the matching IP address will be deleted" -ForegroundColor Yellow

Write-Host "For Example: In contoso.com zone there are two records test.contoso.com > 192.168.1.23 and test.contoso.com > 192.168.1.24. This action removes only one of the entries of host.contoso.com, matching the IP address." -ForegroundColor Yellow

Write-Host " "

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to delete the record"

$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Zone Name where the Record is located"

$inputfile = Read-Host "Please enter the location of the input file. Input file format is CSV.Please include these Headers: name,IP."

Import-Csv -Path $inputfile| foreach-object { Remove-DnsServerResourceRecord -computername $dnsserver -ZoneName $zonename -RRType "A" -Name $_.name -RecordData $_.IP -Confirm }

}

function Delete-SinglePTREntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to delete the record"

$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Reverse Zone Name"

$IP= Read-Host "Please enter the IP address of the PTR Record. Only the Host octet is required."

Remove-DnsServerResourceRecord -computername $dnsserver -ZoneName $zonename -RRType "PTR" -Name $IP -Confirm

}

function Delete-BulkPTREntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to delete the record"

$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Reverse Zone Name"

$inputfile = Read-Host "Please enter the location of the input file. Input file format is CSV.Include the Header: IP."

Import-Csv -Path $inputfile| foreach-object {Remove-DnsServerResourceRecord -computername $dnsserver -ZoneName $zonename -RRType "PTR" -Name $_.IP -Confirm}

}

function Delete-SingleCNAMEEntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to delete the record"

$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Zone Name where the Alias Record is located."

$name= Read-Host "Please enter the Alias Name (Without FQDN)"

Remove-DnsServerResourceRecord -computername $dnsserver -ZoneName $zonename -RRType "CNAME" -Name $name -Confirm

}

function Delete-BulkCNAMEEntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to delete the record"

$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Zone Name where the Alias Record is located."

$inputfile = Read-Host "Please enter the location of the input file. Input file format is CSV. Include the Header: aliasname."

Import-Csv -Path $inputfile | foreach-object {Remove-DnsServerResourceRecord -computername $dnsserver -ZoneName $zonename -RRType "CNAME" -Name $_.alias -Confirm}

}

function Add-PrimaryDNSZoneEntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to create the DNS zone"

$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Primary DNS Zone Name you want to create. (i.e. ldlnet.local)"

$replicationScope= Read-Host "Please enter the AD replication scope for the zone. (i.e. Forest, Domain, or Legacy)"

$dynamicupdate= Read-Host "Please specify how the Zone accepts dynamic updates. (i.e. None, Secure, NonSecureAndSecure)"

Add-DnsServerPrimaryZone -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $zonename -ReplicationScope $replicationScope -DynamicUpdate $dynamicupdate -PassThru -Confirm:$true

}

function Add-PrimaryBulkDNSZoneEntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to create the DNS zones"

$replicationScope= Read-Host "Please enter the AD replication scope for the zone. (i.e. Forest, Domain, or Legacy)"

$dynamicupdate= Read-Host "Please specify how the Zone accepts dynamic updates. (i.e. None, Secure, NonSecureAndSecure)"

$inputfile = Read-Host "Please enter the full path of the input file. Input file format is CSV. Include the Header: zone."

Import-Csv -Path $inputfile | foreach-object {Add-DnsServerPrimaryZone -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $_.zone -ReplicationScope $replicationScope -DynamicUpdate $dynamicupdate -PassThru -Confirm:$true}

}

function Add-SecondaryDNSZoneEntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to create the DNS zone"

$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Secondary DNS Zone Name you want to create. (i.e. ldlnet.local)"

$replicationScope= Read-Host "Please enter the AD replication scope for the zone. (i.e. Forest, Domain, or Legacy)"

$dynamicupdate= Read-Host "Please specify how the Zone accepts dynamic updates. (i.e. None, Secure, NonSecureAndSecure)"

Add-DnsServerSecondaryZone -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $zonename -ReplicationScope $replicationScope -DynamicUpdate $dynamicupdate -PassThru -Confirm:$true

}

function Add-SecondaryBulkDNSZoneEntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to create the DNS zones"

$replicationScope= Read-Host "Please enter the AD replication scope for the zone. (i.e. Forest, Domain, or Legacy)"

$dynamicupdate= Read-Host "Please specify how the Zone accepts dynamic updates. (i.e. None, Secure, NonSecureAndSecure)"

$inputfile = Read-Host "Please enter the full path of the input file. Input file format is CSV. Include the Header: zone."

Import-Csv -Path $inputfile | foreach-object {Add-DnsServerSecondaryZone -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $_.zone -ReplicationScope $replicationScope -DynamicUpdate $dynamicupdate -PassThru -Confirm:$true}

}

function Add-StubDNSZoneEntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to create the DNS zone"

$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Stub DNS Zone Name you want to create. (i.e. ldlnet.local)"

$replicationScope= Read-Host "Please enter the AD replication scope for the zone. (i.e. Forest, Domain, or Legacy)"

$ms= Read-Host "Please specify the ip of the server that holds the authoritative records for the zone. (i.e. 192.168.3.107)"

Add-DnsServerStubZone -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $zonename -ReplicationScope $replicationScope -MasterServers $ms -PassThru -Confirm:$true

}

function Add-StubBulkDNSZoneEntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to create the DNS zones"

$replicationScope= Read-Host "Please enter the AD replication scope for the zone. (i.e. Forest, Domain, or Legacy)"

$ms= Read-Host "Please specify the ip of the server that holds the authoritative records for the zone. (i.e. 192.168.3.107)"

$inputfile = Read-Host "Please enter the full path of the input file. Input file format is CSV. Include the Header: zone."

Import-Csv -Path $inputfile | foreach-object {Add-DnsServerStubZone -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $_.zone -ReplicationScope $replicationScope -MasterServers $ms -PassThru -Confirm:$true}

}

function Remove-DNSZoneEntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to remove the DNS zone"

$zonename= Read-Host "Please enter the Stub DNS Zone Name you want to remove. (i.e. ldlnet.local)"

Remove-DnsServerZone -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $zonename -PassThru -Confirm:$true -Verbose

}

function Remove-BulkDNSZoneEntry

{

$dnsserver= Read-Host "Please enter the DNS Server Name from where you want to remove the DNS zones"

$inputfile = Read-Host "Please enter the full path of the input file. Input file format is CSV. Include the Header: zone."

Import-Csv -Path $inputfile | foreach-object {Remove-DnsServerZone -ComputerName $dnsserver -Name $_.zone -PassThru -Confirm:$true -Verbose}

}

{

Show-Menu

$input = Read-Host "Please make a selection"

switch ($input)

{

'1' {

cls

'You have selected option #1'

'Press 1 for Single DNS Lookup'

'Press 2 for Bulk DNS Lookup'

'Press Q to Return to the Main Menu'

$input1=Read-Host "Please make a selection"

switch ($input1)

{

1 { Lookup-SingleDNS }

2 { Lookup-BulkDNS }

Q { Show-Menu }

}

'2' {

cls

'You have selected option #2'

'Press 1 for Single Host Entry'

'Press 2 for Bulk Host Entries'

'Press Q to Return to the Main Menu'

$input1=Read-Host "Please make a selection"

switch ($input1)

{

1 { Create-SingleHostEntry }

2 { Create-BulkHostEntry }

Q { Show-Menu }

}

'3' {

cls

'You have selected option #3'

'Press 1 for Single PTR Record'

'Press 2 for Bulk PTR Records'

'Press Q to Return to the Main Menu'

$input1=Read-Host "Please make a selection"

switch ($input1)

{

1 { Create-SinglePTREntry }

2 { Create-BulkPTREntry }

Q { Show-Menu}

}

'4' {

cls

'You have selected option #4'

'Press 1 for Single CNAME Record'

'Press 2 for Bulk CNAME Records'

'Press Q to Return to the Main Menu'

$input1=Read-Host "Please make a selection"

switch ($input1)

{

1 { Create-SingleCNAMEEntry }

2 { Create-BulkCNAMEEntry }

Q { Show-Menu }

}

'5' {

cls

'You have selected option #5'

'Press 1 to Delete Single Host Record'

'Press 2 to Delete multiple Host Records '

'Press Q to Return to the Main Menu'

$input1=Read-Host "Please make a selection"

switch ($input1)

{

1 { Delete-SingleHostEntry }

2 { Delete-BulkHostEntry }

Q { Show-Menu }

}

'6' {

cls

'You have selected option #6'

'Press 1 to Delete Single PTR Record'

'Press 2 to Delete multiple PTR Records '

'Press Q to Return to the Main Menu'

$input1=Read-Host "Please make a selection"

switch ($input1)

{

1 { Delete-SinglePTREntry }

2 { Delete-BulkPTREntry }

Q { Show-Menu}

}

'7' {

cls

'You have selected option #7'

'Press 1 to Delete Single CNAME Record'

'Press 2 to Delete multiple CNAME Records '

'Press Q to Return to the Main Menu'

$input1=Read-Host "Please make a selection"

switch ($input1)

{

1 { Delete-SingleCNAMEEntry }

2 { Delete-BulkCNAMEEntry }

Q { Show-Menu }

}

'8' {

cls

'You have selected option #8'

'Press 1 to Create a Single Primary DNS Zone'

'Press 2 to Create multiple Primary DNS Zones'

'Press Q to Return to the Main Menu'

$input1=Read-Host "Please make a selection"

switch ($input1)

{

1 { Add-PrimaryDNSZoneEntry }

2 { Add-PrimaryBulkDNSZoneEntry }

Q { Show-Menu }

}

'9' {

cls

'You have selected option #9'

'Press 1 to Create a Single Secondary DNS Zone'

'Press 2 to Create multiple Secondary DNS Zones'

'Press Q to Return to the Main Menu'

$input1=Read-Host "Please make a selection"

switch ($input1)

{

1 { Add-SecondaryDNSZoneEntry }

2 { Add-SecondaryBulkDNSZoneEntry }

Q { Show-Menu }

}

'10' {

cls

'You have selected option #10'

'Press 1 to Create a Single Stub DNS Zone'

'Press 2 to Create multiple Stub DNS Zones'

'Press Q to Return to the Main Menu'

$input1=Read-Host "Please make a selection"

switch ($input1)

{

1 { Add-StubDNSZoneEntry }

2 { Add-StubBulkDNSZoneEntry }

Q { Show-Menu }

}

'11' {

cls

'You have selected option #11'

'Press 1 to Remove a Single DNS Zone'

'Press 2 to Remove multiple DNS Zones'

'Press Q to Return to the Main Menu'

$input1=Read-Host "Please make a selection"

switch ($input1)

{

1 { Remove-DNSZoneEntry }

2 { Remove-BulkDNSZoneEntry }

Q { Show-Menu }

}

'q' {

return

}

pause

}

until ($input -eq 'q')

The DNS Zone functions have not been tested as of yet. I still have to get on my server farm at home and run this. It will save time though with me having to switch servers when adding a bulk list of DNS zones for my website farm. Play with the script and let me know what you think!

Lance LingerfeltJanuary 17, 2019January 17, 2019

Removing a DNS Record through Powershell

In most environments, an admin usually just jumps on the server that they need to work from and does their work from there. An example of this would be an admin working on an IIS Web server and needing to remove a DNS A record from DNS without having to logon to the DNS server itself so that they can quickly make their changes in IIS.

A quick way to do this would be to run the following ps1 script in PowerShell in order to be able to remove the record quickly:

$NodeToDelete = Read-Host "Please Input the Name of the A Record you want to delete. NO FQDN"
$DNSServer = Read-Host "Please Input your DNS Server FQDN"
$ZoneName = Read-Host "Please Input the DNS Zone the A Record is residing in"
$NodeDNS = $null
$NodeDNS = Get-DnsServerResourceRecord -ZoneName $ZoneName -ComputerName $DNSServer -Node $NodeToDelete -RRType A -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
if($NodeDNS -eq $null){
    Write-Host "The DNS A Record You Were Looking For Was Not Found" -ForeGroundColor Red
} else {
    Remove-DnsServerResourceRecord -ZoneName $ZoneName -ComputerName $DNSServer -InputObject $NodeDNS -Force
    Write-Host "Your DNS A Record $NodeToDelete Has Been Removed" -ForeGroundColor Green
}

$NodeToDelete = Read-Host "Please Input the Name of the A Record you want to delete. NO FQDN"

$DNSServer = Read-Host "Please Input your DNS Server FQDN"

$ZoneName = Read-Host "Please Input the DNS Zone the A Record is residing in"

$NodeDNS = $null

$NodeDNS = Get-DnsServerResourceRecord -ZoneName $ZoneName -ComputerName $DNSServer -Node $NodeToDelete -RRType A -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

if($NodeDNS -eq $null){

Write-Host "The DNS A Record You Were Looking For Was Not Found" -ForeGroundColor Red

} else {

Remove-DnsServerResourceRecord -ZoneName $ZoneName -ComputerName $DNSServer -InputObject $NodeDNS -Force

Write-Host "Your DNS A Record $NodeToDelete Has Been Removed" -ForeGroundColor Green

}

Sample Output from the script. — Sample Output from the Script removing DNS A Record: *test.ldlnet.local*

Now this works for a single DNS A Record. If there are multiple IPs for the same DNS record, for example, test.ldlnet.local points to both 192.168.1.23 and 192.168.1.24, then you probably need to run the following script listed here to keep the script from failing with an error. I have also expanded the entries to help the input be more specific:

Write-Host "This script will remove a DNS Record based on the information provided" -ForegroundColor Yellow
Write-Host "There can be multiple Host Records (IPs) for a given Host Name. Only one Record going with the matching IP address that is input will be deleted" -ForegroundColor Red
Write-Host "For Example: In the ldlnet.org zone there are two records test.ldlnet.org > 192.168.1.23 and test.ldlnet.org > 192.168.1.24. This action removes only one of the entries of test.ldlnet.org, matching the IP address that was input." -ForegroundColor Red
$NodeToDelete = Read-Host "Please Input the Name of the DNS Record you want to delete. (NO FQDN)"
$DNSServer = Read-Host "Please Input your DNS Server FQDN"
$ZoneName = Read-Host "Please Input the DNS Zone the DNS Record is residing in"
$RecordType = Read-Host "Please Input the Type of DNS Record It Is (A, CNAME, TXT, etc...)"
$IP = Read-Host "Please Input the IP Address of the Associcated DNS Record"
$NodeDNS = $null
$NodeDNS = Get-DnsServerResourceRecord -ZoneName $ZoneName -ComputerName $DNSServer -Node $NodeToDelete -RRType $RecordType -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
if($NodeDNS -eq $null){
    Write-Host "The DNS A Record You Were Looking For Was Not Found" -ForeGroundColor Red
} else {
    Remove-DnsServerResourceRecord -ZoneName $ZoneName -ComputerName $DNSServer -RecordData $IP -Name $NodeToDelete -RRType $RecordType -Force -ErrorAction Stop
    Write-Host "Your DNS A Record $NodeToDelete Has Been Removed" -ForeGroundColor Green
}

Write-Host "This script will remove a DNS Record based on the information provided" -ForegroundColor Yellow

Write-Host "There can be multiple Host Records (IPs) for a given Host Name. Only one Record going with the matching IP address that is input will be deleted" -ForegroundColor Red

Write-Host "For Example: In the ldlnet.org zone there are two records test.ldlnet.org > 192.168.1.23 and test.ldlnet.org > 192.168.1.24. This action removes only one of the entries of test.ldlnet.org, matching the IP address that was input." -ForegroundColor Red

$NodeToDelete = Read-Host "Please Input the Name of the DNS Record you want to delete. (NO FQDN)"

$DNSServer = Read-Host "Please Input your DNS Server FQDN"

$ZoneName = Read-Host "Please Input the DNS Zone the DNS Record is residing in"

$RecordType = Read-Host "Please Input the Type of DNS Record It Is (A, CNAME, TXT, etc...)"

$IP = Read-Host "Please Input the IP Address of the Associcated DNS Record"

$NodeDNS = $null

$NodeDNS = Get-DnsServerResourceRecord -ZoneName $ZoneName -ComputerName $DNSServer -Node $NodeToDelete -RRType $RecordType -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

if($NodeDNS -eq $null){

Write-Host "The DNS A Record You Were Looking For Was Not Found" -ForeGroundColor Red

} else {

Remove-DnsServerResourceRecord -ZoneName $ZoneName -ComputerName $DNSServer -RecordData $IP -Name $NodeToDelete -RRType $RecordType -Force -ErrorAction Stop

Write-Host "Your DNS A Record $NodeToDelete Has Been Removed" -ForeGroundColor Green

}

Output from RemoveDNSRecord.ps1 for removing DNS A Record *test.ldlnet.local* with IP of 192.168.1.24

I have found some other good scripts that I will post to the blog to help manage DNS records through PowerShell. This should get things started for now. Happy Troubleshooting!

Lance LingerfeltJanuary 15, 2019

MaxConcurrentAPI Script for Netlogon Issues

I get incidents from time to time that deal with Netlogon Service Issues. For example: Semaphore Waiters, Semaphore Timeouts, Semaphore Acquires, etc…

Here is a script I got from the Microsoft Gallery
In some enterprise environments the sheer volume of NTLM authentication can produce performance bottlenecks on servers. To help make the problem easier to detect, this PowerShell script was written.

PARAM ([Switch]$CheckMaxConcurrentApi, [switch]$GetNetlogonInstances, [string]$Computer = "Localhost", [string]$Instance = "_Total", [bool]$CalcMCA = $False)
#************************************************
# CheckMaxConcurrentApiScript.ps1
# Version 1.0
# Date: 3/22/2013
# Author: Tim Springston [MSFT]
# Description:Uses .Net methods and WMI to query
#                a remote or local computer for MaxConcurrentApi
#               problems and return details back in a PSObject.
#************************************************
function CheckMaxConcurrentApi ([string]$InstanceName = "_Total", [string]$ComputerName = "localhost", [bool]$Calc = $false)
{   
	#This function takes three optional parameters to select Netlogon Instance (can be obtained by using
	#sister function GetNetlogonInstances, computer to run against and whether to run
	#MaxConcurrentApi calculation-which takes longer.
    #It returns details about the computer, whether the problem is detected, and suggested MaxConcurrentApi value.
	$ProblemDetected = $false
	$Date = Get-Date
 
	#Get role, OSVer, hotfix data.
	$cs =  gwmi -Namespace "root\cimv2" -class win32_computersystem -Impersonation 3 -ComputerName $ComputerName
	$DomainRole = $cs.domainrole
	$OSVersion = gwmi -Namespace "root\cimv2" -Class Win32_OperatingSystem -Impersonation 3 -ComputerName $ComputerName
	$bn = $OSVersion.BuildNumber
	$150Hotfix = $false
 
	#Determine how long the computer has been running since last reboot.
	$wmi = Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_OperatingSystem -ComputerName $ComputerName
	$LocalDateTime = $wmi.LocalDateTime
	$Uptime = $wmi.ConvertToDateTime($wmi.LocalDateTime) – $wmi.ConvertToDateTime($wmi.LastBootUpTime)
	$Days = $Uptime.Days.ToString()
	$Hours = $Uptime.Hours.ToString()
	$UpTimeStatement = $Days + " days " + $Hours + " hours"
 
	#Get SystemRoot so that we can map the right drive for checking file versions.
	$objReg = [Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKey]::OpenRemoteBaseKey('LocalMachine',$ComputerName)
	$ObjRegKey = $ObjReg.OpenSubKey("SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion")
	$SystemRoot = $ObjRegKey.GetValue("SystemRoot")
 
	#Parse the drive letter for the remote systemroot and then map the network drive. First though
	#make sure the drive you will map to doesnt exist already.
	$Drives = gwmi -Namespace "root\cimv2"  -ComputerName $ComputerName -Impersonation Impersonate -Class Win32_LogicalDisk
	$DriveLetters = @()
	ForEach ($Drive in $Drives)
		{
		  $Caption = $Drive.Caption
		  $DriveLetters += $Caption
		  $Caption = $null
		}
 
	if ($ComputerName -ne "localhost")
		{
			$PossibleLetters = [char[]]"DEFGHIJKLMNOPQRTUVWXY" 
			$devices = get-wmiobject win32_logicaldisk | select -expand DeviceID
			$PossibleLetters | where {$DriveLetters -notcontains "$($_):"} | Select -First 1 | % {
			$AvailableDriveLetter = $_
			}
			$DriveToMap = $SystemRoot
			$DriveToMap = $DriveToMap.Replace(":\Windows","")
			$DriveToMap = "\\" + $ComputerName + "\" + $DriveToMap + "$"
			$AvailableDriveLetter = $AvailableDriveLetter  + ":"
			$NETUSEReturn = net use $AvailableDriveLetter $DriveToMap
			$RemoteSystem32Folder = $AvailableDriveLetter + "\Windows\System32"
			$NetlogonDll = $RemoteSystem32Folder + "\Netlogon.dll"
		}
		else
			{
			 $NetlogonDll = $SystemRoot + "\System32\Netlogon.dll"
			}
 
	#Check the file versions for the hotfixes.
	$FileVer = [System.Diagnostics.FileVersionInfo]::GetVersionInfo($NetlogonDll).FileVersion
	switch -exact ($bn)
		{"6002" {#Hotfix Check for MCA to 150 KB975363 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/975363
				 $6002HotfixVer = "6.0.6002.22289"
				 if ($6002HotfixVer -eq $FileVer)
				     {$150Hotfix = $true}
				}
		"7600" {#Hotfix Check for MCA to 150 KB975363 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/975363
				$7600HotfixVer = "6.1.7600.20576"
				if ($7600HotfixVer -eq $FileVer)
					{$150Hotfix = $true}
				}
		"7601" {#Hotfix Check for MCA to 150 KB975363 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/975363
				$150Hotfix = $true
				}
		}
	if ($ComputerName -ne "localhost")
		{
		$NETUSEReturn = net use $AvailableDriveLetter /d
		}
 
	#Determine effective MaxConcurrentApi setting based on OS, hotfix presence, role and registry setting.
	$objReg = [Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKey]::OpenRemoteBaseKey('LocalMachine', $ComputerName)
	$objRegKey= $objReg.OpenSubKey("SYSTEM\\CurrentControlSet\\services\\Netlogon\\Parameters")
	$MCARegVal = $objRegKey.GetValue('MaxConcurrentApi')
	$CurrentMCA = 0
	if  ($DomainRole -gt 1)
			{    
			if ($bn -ge 9200)
				{
				If (($MCARegVal -lt 10) -or ($MCARegVal -eq $null) -or ($MCARegVal -gt 9999))
					{$CurrentMCA = 10}
					elseif (($MCARegVal -gt 10)    -and ($MCARegVal -lt 9999))
						{$CurrentMCA = $MCARegVal}
				}
				else
					{        
					If (($MCARegVal -gt 10) -and ($150Hotfix -eq $true))
						{        
						$CurrentMCA = $MCARegVal}
						elseif (($MCARegVal -gt 10) -and ($150Hotfix -eq $false))    
							{$CurrentMCA = 2}
							elseif (( $MCARegVal -gt 2 ) -and ($MCARegVal -le 10))
								{$CurrentMCA = $MCARegVal}
								elseif ($MCARegVal -lt 2)
									{$CurrentMCA = 2}
									elseif ($MCARegVal -eq $null)
										{$CurrentMCA = 2}
					}
				}
 
	#Get a sample of the counters.
	$Category = "Netlogon"
	$CounterASHT = "Average Semaphore Hold Time"
	$CounterST = "Semaphore Timeouts"
	$CounterSA = "Semaphore Acquires"
	$CounterSH = "Semaphore Holders"
	$CounterSW = "Semaphore Waiters"
	#Query remote computer for counters.
	$NetlogonRemoteASHT = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter($Category,$CounterASHT,$InstanceName,$ComputerName)
	$NetlogonRemoteST = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter($Category,$CounterST,$InstanceName,$ComputerName)
	$NetlogonRemoteSA = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter($Category,$CounterSA,$InstanceName,$ComputerName)
	$NetlogonRemoteSW = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter($Category,$CounterSW,$InstanceName,$ComputerName)
	$NetlogonRemoteSH = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter($Category,$CounterSH,$InstanceName,$ComputerName)
	#Cook values
	$CookedASHT = $NetlogonRemoteASHT.NextValue()
	$CookedST = $NetlogonRemoteST.NextValue()
	$CookedSA = $NetlogonRemoteSA.NextValue()
	$CookedSW = $NetlogonRemoteSW.NextValue()
	$CookedSH = $NetlogonRemoteSH.NextValue()
	if ((($CookedSW -gt 0) -and (-not($CookedSW -gt 4GB))) -or ($CookedSH -eq $CurrentMCA) -or ((($CookedST -gt 0) -and (-not($CookedST -gt 4GB))) -and (($CookedSW -gt 0) -and (-not($CookedSW -gt 4GB)))))
				{$ProblemDetected = $true}
 
	#Do a second data sample and compare results in order to run the "suggested MCA" math.
	if (($ProblemDetected -eq $true) -and ($Calc -eq $true))
		{
		Start-Sleep -Seconds 60
		$NetlogonRemoteASHT = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter($Category,$CounterASHT,$InstanceName,$ComputerName)
		$NetlogonRemoteST = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter($Category,$CounterST,$InstanceName,$ComputerName)
		$NetlogonRemoteSA = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter($Category,$CounterSA,$InstanceName,$ComputerName)
		$NetlogonRemoteSW = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter($Category,$CounterSW,$InstanceName,$ComputerName)
		$NetlogonRemoteSH = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter($Category,$CounterSH,$InstanceName,$ComputerName)
		#Cook values
		$SecondCookedASHT = $NetlogonRemoteASHT.NextValue()
		$SecondCookedST = $NetlogonRemoteST.NextValue()
		$SecondCookedSA = $NetlogonRemoteSA.NextValue()
		$SecondCookedSW = $NetlogonRemoteSW.NextValue()
		$SecondCookedSH = $NetlogonRemoteSH.NextValue()
		#Next, calculate the suggested MCA 
	                            #using formula from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2688798
	                            #(semaphore_acquires + semaphore_timeouts) * average_semaphore_hold_time / time_collection_length =< New_MaxConcurrentApi_setting
							 #subtract Sample1SA from Sample2SA = SampleSADelta
							 $SampleSADelta = ($SecondCookedSA - $CookedSA)
							 $SampleSTDelta = ($SecondCookedST - $CookedST)
							 $ASHT = ($SecondCookedASHT + $CookedASHT)
							 $SampleASHTDelta = ($ASHT / 2 )
							 $SamplesDeltaSAST = ($SampleSADelta + $SampleSTDelta)
							 $AllSampleDeltas = ($SampleASHTDelta * $SamplesDeltaSAST)
						     $AllSampleDeltas /= 90
							 $SuggestedMCA = $AllSampleDeltas
							 $SuggestedMCA = "{0:N0}" -f $SuggestedMCA
							 if ($SuggestedMCA -le 2)
								{$SuggestedMCA = $CurrentMCA}
		}
	#Create PSObject for returned data.
	$ReturnedData = New-Object PSObject
	add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData  -membertype noteproperty -name "Detection Time" -value $Date
	add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData  -membertype noteproperty -name "Problem Detected" -value $ProblemDetected
	add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData  -membertype noteproperty -name "Server Name" -value $cs.Name
	if ($cs.DomainRole -le 1)
		{add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData  -membertype noteproperty -name "Server Role" -value "Client"}
	if (($cs.DomainRole -eq 3) -or ($cs.DomainRole -eq 2))
		{add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData  -membertype noteproperty -name "Server Role" -value "Member Server"}
	if ($cs.DomainRole -ge 4)
		{add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData  -membertype noteproperty -name "Server Role" -value "Domain Controller"}
	add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData  -membertype noteproperty -name "Domain Name" -value $cs.Domain
	add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData  -membertype noteproperty -name "Operating System" -value $OSVersion.Caption
	add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData  -membertype noteproperty -name "Time Since Last Reboot" -value $UpTimeStatement
	add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData  -membertype noteproperty -name "Current Effective MaxConcurrentApi Setting" -value $CurrentMCA
	if ($SuggestedMCA -eq $null)
		{add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData  -membertype noteproperty -name "Suggested MaxConcurrentApi Setting (may be same as current)" -value $CurrentMCA}
		else
		{add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData  -membertype noteproperty -name "Suggested MaxConcurrentApi Setting (may be same as current)" -value $SuggestedMCA}
	add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData  -membertype noteproperty -name "Current Threads in Use (Semaphore Holders)" -value $CookedSH
	add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData  -membertype noteproperty -name "Clients Currently Waiting (Semaphore Waiters)" -value $CookedSW
	add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData  -membertype noteproperty -name "Cumulative Client Timeouts (Semaphore Timeouts) " -value $CookedST
	add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData  -membertype noteproperty -name "Cumulative MaxConcurrentApi Thread Uses (Semaphore Acquires)" -value $CookedSA
	add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData  -membertype noteproperty -name "Duration of Calls (Avg Semaphore Hold Time)" -value $CookedASHT
	return $ReturnedData
}
 
function GetNetlogonInstances ([string]$RemoteComputerName = "localhost")
	{
	 #This function takes a computer name as input (default to local computer) and returns
	 #the instances-analagous to secure channels-a computer has. 
	 #Format returned is \\hostname.domainname.com.
	 
	 if ($RemoteComputerName -eq $null)
	     {
		$LocalNetlogon = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounterCategory("Netlogon",$RemoteComputerName)
		$LocalInstances = $LocalNetlogon.GetInstanceNames()
	    $AllLocalInstances = @()
		foreach ($LocalInstance in $LocalInstances)
			{    
	          if ($LocalInstance -ne "_total")
	             {
				 $AllLocalInstances += $LocalInstance
				}         
			} 
			if ($AllLocalInstances -eq $null)
				{
				WriteTo-StdOut "The local computer was missing its DC perf instance so getting DC name from WMI." -shortformat
 
				$Query = "select * from win32_ntdomain where description = '" + $env:userdomain + "'"
				$v2 = get-wmiobject -query $Query
				$DCName = $v2.DomainControllerName
				$AllLocalInstances += $DCName
				WriteTo-StdOut "DCName is $AllLocalInstances" -shortformat
				}
		return $AllLocalInstances
		}
		else
		{
		$RemoteNetlogon = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounterCategory("Netlogon",$RemoteComputerName)
		$RemoteInstances = $RemoteNetlogon.GetInstanceNames()
		$AllRemoteInstances = @()
		foreach ($RemoteInstance in $RemoteInstances)
			{    
	          if ($RemoteInstance -ne "_Total")
	             {
				 $AllRemoteInstances += $RemoteInstance
				}
			}
			if ($AllRemoteInstances -eq $null)
				{
				#If the local computer was missing its DC perf instance so getting DC name from WMI.
				$Query = "select * from win32_ntdomain where description = '" + $env:userdomain + "'"
				$v2 = get-wmiobject -query $Query
				$DCName = $v2.DomainControllerName
				$AllRemoteInstances += $DCName
				}
		return $AllRemoteInstances
		}
	}
 
if (($CheckMaxConcurrentApi) -and ($Instance -ne "_Total") -and ($Computer -ne "Localhost") -and ($CalcMCA -eq $true))
	{CheckMaxConcurrentApi -instancename $Instance -ComputerName $Computer -Calc $CalcMCA  | FL }
elseif (($CheckMaxConcurrentApi) -and ($Instance -ne "_Total") -and ($Computer -ne "Localhost"))
	{CheckMaxConcurrentApi -instancename $Instance -ComputerName $Computer | FL }
elseif (($CheckMaxConcurrentApi) -and ($Instance -ne "_Total"))
	{CheckMaxConcurrentApi -instancename $Instance  | FL}
elseif (($CheckMaxConcurrentApi) -and ($Computer -ne "Localhost"))
	{CheckMaxConcurrentApi -ComputerName $Computer  | FL}
elseif (($CheckMaxConcurrentApi) -and ($CalcMCA -eq $true))
	{CheckMaxConcurrentApi -Calc $calcmca  | FL}
elseif ($CheckMaxConcurrentApi)
	{CheckMaxConcurrentApi | FL}
if (($GetNetlogonInstances) -and ($Computer -ne "Localhost"))
	{GetNetlogonInstances  | FL}
elseif ($GetNetlogonInstances) 
{GetNetlogonInstances -RemoteComputerName $Computer | FL}

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PARAM ([Switch]$CheckMaxConcurrentApi, [switch]$GetNetlogonInstances, [string]$Computer = "Localhost", [string]$Instance = "_Total", [bool]$CalcMCA = $False)

#************************************************

# CheckMaxConcurrentApiScript.ps1

# Version 1.0

# Date: 3/22/2013

# Author: Tim Springston [MSFT]

# Description:Uses .Net methods and WMI to query

# a remote or local computer for MaxConcurrentApi

# problems and return details back in a PSObject.

#************************************************

function CheckMaxConcurrentApi ([string]$InstanceName = "_Total", [string]$ComputerName = "localhost", [bool]$Calc = $false)

{

#This function takes three optional parameters to select Netlogon Instance (can be obtained by using

#sister function GetNetlogonInstances, computer to run against and whether to run

#MaxConcurrentApi calculation-which takes longer.

#It returns details about the computer, whether the problem is detected, and suggested MaxConcurrentApi value.

$ProblemDetected = $false

$Date = Get-Date

#Get role, OSVer, hotfix data.

$cs = gwmi -Namespace "root\cimv2" -class win32_computersystem -Impersonation 3 -ComputerName $ComputerName

$DomainRole = $cs.domainrole

$OSVersion = gwmi -Namespace "root\cimv2" -Class Win32_OperatingSystem -Impersonation 3 -ComputerName $ComputerName

$bn = $OSVersion.BuildNumber

$150Hotfix = $false

#Determine how long the computer has been running since last reboot.

$wmi = Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_OperatingSystem -ComputerName $ComputerName

$LocalDateTime = $wmi.LocalDateTime

$Uptime = $wmi.ConvertToDateTime($wmi.LocalDateTime) – $wmi.ConvertToDateTime($wmi.LastBootUpTime)

$Days = $Uptime.Days.ToString()

$Hours = $Uptime.Hours.ToString()

$UpTimeStatement = $Days + " days " + $Hours + " hours"

#Get SystemRoot so that we can map the right drive for checking file versions.

$objReg = [Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKey]::OpenRemoteBaseKey('LocalMachine',$ComputerName)

$ObjRegKey = $ObjReg.OpenSubKey("SOFTWARE\\Microsoft\\Windows NT\\CurrentVersion")

$SystemRoot = $ObjRegKey.GetValue("SystemRoot")

#Parse the drive letter for the remote systemroot and then map the network drive. First though

#make sure the drive you will map to doesnt exist already.

$Drives = gwmi -Namespace "root\cimv2" -ComputerName $ComputerName -Impersonation Impersonate -Class Win32_LogicalDisk

$DriveLetters = @()

ForEach ($Drive in $Drives)

{

$Caption = $Drive.Caption

$DriveLetters += $Caption

$Caption = $null

}

if ($ComputerName -ne "localhost")

{

$PossibleLetters = [char[]]"DEFGHIJKLMNOPQRTUVWXY"

$devices = get-wmiobject win32_logicaldisk | select -expand DeviceID

$PossibleLetters | where {$DriveLetters -notcontains "$($_):"} | Select -First 1 | % {

$AvailableDriveLetter = $_

}

$DriveToMap = $SystemRoot

$DriveToMap = $DriveToMap.Replace(":\Windows","")

$DriveToMap = "\\" + $ComputerName + "\" + $DriveToMap + "$"

$AvailableDriveLetter = $AvailableDriveLetter + ":"

$NETUSEReturn = net use $AvailableDriveLetter $DriveToMap

$RemoteSystem32Folder = $AvailableDriveLetter + "\Windows\System32"

$NetlogonDll = $RemoteSystem32Folder + "\Netlogon.dll"

}

else

{

$NetlogonDll = $SystemRoot + "\System32\Netlogon.dll"

}

#Check the file versions for the hotfixes.

$FileVer = [System.Diagnostics.FileVersionInfo]::GetVersionInfo($NetlogonDll).FileVersion

switch -exact ($bn)

{"6002" {#Hotfix Check for MCA to 150 KB975363 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/975363

$6002HotfixVer = "6.0.6002.22289"

if ($6002HotfixVer -eq $FileVer)

{$150Hotfix = $true}

}

"7600" {#Hotfix Check for MCA to 150 KB975363 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/975363

$7600HotfixVer = "6.1.7600.20576"

if ($7600HotfixVer -eq $FileVer)

{$150Hotfix = $true}

}

"7601" {#Hotfix Check for MCA to 150 KB975363 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/975363

$150Hotfix = $true

}

if ($ComputerName -ne "localhost")

{

$NETUSEReturn = net use $AvailableDriveLetter /d

}

#Determine effective MaxConcurrentApi setting based on OS, hotfix presence, role and registry setting.

$objReg = [Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKey]::OpenRemoteBaseKey('LocalMachine', $ComputerName)

$objRegKey= $objReg.OpenSubKey("SYSTEM\\CurrentControlSet\\services\\Netlogon\\Parameters")

$MCARegVal = $objRegKey.GetValue('MaxConcurrentApi')

$CurrentMCA = 0

if ($DomainRole -gt 1)

{

if ($bn -ge 9200)

{

If (($MCARegVal -lt 10) -or ($MCARegVal -eq $null) -or ($MCARegVal -gt 9999))

{$CurrentMCA = 10}

elseif (($MCARegVal -gt 10) -and ($MCARegVal -lt 9999))

{$CurrentMCA = $MCARegVal}

}

else

{

If (($MCARegVal -gt 10) -and ($150Hotfix -eq $true))

{

$CurrentMCA = $MCARegVal}

elseif (($MCARegVal -gt 10) -and ($150Hotfix -eq $false))

{$CurrentMCA = 2}

elseif (( $MCARegVal -gt 2 ) -and ($MCARegVal -le 10))

{$CurrentMCA = $MCARegVal}

elseif ($MCARegVal -lt 2)

{$CurrentMCA = 2}

elseif ($MCARegVal -eq $null)

{$CurrentMCA = 2}

}

#Get a sample of the counters.

$Category = "Netlogon"

$CounterASHT = "Average Semaphore Hold Time"

$CounterST = "Semaphore Timeouts"

$CounterSA = "Semaphore Acquires"

$CounterSH = "Semaphore Holders"

$CounterSW = "Semaphore Waiters"

#Query remote computer for counters.

$NetlogonRemoteASHT = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter($Category,$CounterASHT,$InstanceName,$ComputerName)

$NetlogonRemoteST = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter($Category,$CounterST,$InstanceName,$ComputerName)

$NetlogonRemoteSA = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter($Category,$CounterSA,$InstanceName,$ComputerName)

$NetlogonRemoteSW = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter($Category,$CounterSW,$InstanceName,$ComputerName)

$NetlogonRemoteSH = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter($Category,$CounterSH,$InstanceName,$ComputerName)

#Cook values

$CookedASHT = $NetlogonRemoteASHT.NextValue()

$CookedST = $NetlogonRemoteST.NextValue()

$CookedSA = $NetlogonRemoteSA.NextValue()

$CookedSW = $NetlogonRemoteSW.NextValue()

$CookedSH = $NetlogonRemoteSH.NextValue()

if ((($CookedSW -gt 0) -and (-not($CookedSW -gt 4GB))) -or ($CookedSH -eq $CurrentMCA) -or ((($CookedST -gt 0) -and (-not($CookedST -gt 4GB))) -and (($CookedSW -gt 0) -and (-not($CookedSW -gt 4GB)))))

{$ProblemDetected = $true}

#Do a second data sample and compare results in order to run the "suggested MCA" math.

if (($ProblemDetected -eq $true) -and ($Calc -eq $true))

{

Start-Sleep -Seconds 60

$NetlogonRemoteASHT = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter($Category,$CounterASHT,$InstanceName,$ComputerName)

$NetlogonRemoteST = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter($Category,$CounterST,$InstanceName,$ComputerName)

$NetlogonRemoteSA = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter($Category,$CounterSA,$InstanceName,$ComputerName)

$NetlogonRemoteSW = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter($Category,$CounterSW,$InstanceName,$ComputerName)

$NetlogonRemoteSH = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounter($Category,$CounterSH,$InstanceName,$ComputerName)

#Cook values

$SecondCookedASHT = $NetlogonRemoteASHT.NextValue()

$SecondCookedST = $NetlogonRemoteST.NextValue()

$SecondCookedSA = $NetlogonRemoteSA.NextValue()

$SecondCookedSW = $NetlogonRemoteSW.NextValue()

$SecondCookedSH = $NetlogonRemoteSH.NextValue()

#Next, calculate the suggested MCA

#using formula from http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2688798

#(semaphore_acquires + semaphore_timeouts) * average_semaphore_hold_time / time_collection_length =< New_MaxConcurrentApi_setting

#subtract Sample1SA from Sample2SA = SampleSADelta

$SampleSADelta = ($SecondCookedSA - $CookedSA)

$SampleSTDelta = ($SecondCookedST - $CookedST)

$ASHT = ($SecondCookedASHT + $CookedASHT)

$SampleASHTDelta = ($ASHT / 2 )

$SamplesDeltaSAST = ($SampleSADelta + $SampleSTDelta)

$AllSampleDeltas = ($SampleASHTDelta * $SamplesDeltaSAST)

$AllSampleDeltas /= 90

$SuggestedMCA = $AllSampleDeltas

$SuggestedMCA = "{0:N0}" -f $SuggestedMCA

if ($SuggestedMCA -le 2)

{$SuggestedMCA = $CurrentMCA}

}

#Create PSObject for returned data.

$ReturnedData = New-Object PSObject

add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData -membertype noteproperty -name "Detection Time" -value $Date

add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData -membertype noteproperty -name "Problem Detected" -value $ProblemDetected

add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData -membertype noteproperty -name "Server Name" -value $cs.Name

if ($cs.DomainRole -le 1)

{add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData -membertype noteproperty -name "Server Role" -value "Client"}

if (($cs.DomainRole -eq 3) -or ($cs.DomainRole -eq 2))

{add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData -membertype noteproperty -name "Server Role" -value "Member Server"}

if ($cs.DomainRole -ge 4)

{add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData -membertype noteproperty -name "Server Role" -value "Domain Controller"}

add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData -membertype noteproperty -name "Domain Name" -value $cs.Domain

add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData -membertype noteproperty -name "Operating System" -value $OSVersion.Caption

add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData -membertype noteproperty -name "Time Since Last Reboot" -value $UpTimeStatement

add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData -membertype noteproperty -name "Current Effective MaxConcurrentApi Setting" -value $CurrentMCA

if ($SuggestedMCA -eq $null)

{add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData -membertype noteproperty -name "Suggested MaxConcurrentApi Setting (may be same as current)" -value $CurrentMCA}

else

{add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData -membertype noteproperty -name "Suggested MaxConcurrentApi Setting (may be same as current)" -value $SuggestedMCA}

add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData -membertype noteproperty -name "Current Threads in Use (Semaphore Holders)" -value $CookedSH

add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData -membertype noteproperty -name "Clients Currently Waiting (Semaphore Waiters)" -value $CookedSW

add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData -membertype noteproperty -name "Cumulative Client Timeouts (Semaphore Timeouts) " -value $CookedST

add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData -membertype noteproperty -name "Cumulative MaxConcurrentApi Thread Uses (Semaphore Acquires)" -value $CookedSA

add-member -inputobject $ReturnedData -membertype noteproperty -name "Duration of Calls (Avg Semaphore Hold Time)" -value $CookedASHT

return $ReturnedData

}

function GetNetlogonInstances ([string]$RemoteComputerName = "localhost")

{

#This function takes a computer name as input (default to local computer) and returns

#the instances-analagous to secure channels-a computer has.

#Format returned is \\hostname.domainname.com.

if ($RemoteComputerName -eq $null)

{

$LocalNetlogon = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounterCategory("Netlogon",$RemoteComputerName)

$LocalInstances = $LocalNetlogon.GetInstanceNames()

$AllLocalInstances = @()

foreach ($LocalInstance in $LocalInstances)

{

if ($LocalInstance -ne "_total")

{

$AllLocalInstances += $LocalInstance

}

if ($AllLocalInstances -eq $null)

{

WriteTo-StdOut "The local computer was missing its DC perf instance so getting DC name from WMI." -shortformat

$Query = "select * from win32_ntdomain where description = '" + $env:userdomain + "'"

$v2 = get-wmiobject -query $Query

$DCName = $v2.DomainControllerName

$AllLocalInstances += $DCName

WriteTo-StdOut "DCName is $AllLocalInstances" -shortformat

}

return $AllLocalInstances

}

else

{

$RemoteNetlogon = New-Object System.Diagnostics.PerformanceCounterCategory("Netlogon",$RemoteComputerName)

$RemoteInstances = $RemoteNetlogon.GetInstanceNames()

$AllRemoteInstances = @()

foreach ($RemoteInstance in $RemoteInstances)

{

if ($RemoteInstance -ne "_Total")

{

$AllRemoteInstances += $RemoteInstance

}

if ($AllRemoteInstances -eq $null)

{

#If the local computer was missing its DC perf instance so getting DC name from WMI.

$Query = "select * from win32_ntdomain where description = '" + $env:userdomain + "'"

$v2 = get-wmiobject -query $Query

$DCName = $v2.DomainControllerName

$AllRemoteInstances += $DCName

}

return $AllRemoteInstances

}

if (($CheckMaxConcurrentApi) -and ($Instance -ne "_Total") -and ($Computer -ne "Localhost") -and ($CalcMCA -eq $true))

{CheckMaxConcurrentApi -instancename $Instance -ComputerName $Computer -Calc $CalcMCA | FL }

elseif (($CheckMaxConcurrentApi) -and ($Instance -ne "_Total") -and ($Computer -ne "Localhost"))

{CheckMaxConcurrentApi -instancename $Instance -ComputerName $Computer | FL }

elseif (($CheckMaxConcurrentApi) -and ($Instance -ne "_Total"))

{CheckMaxConcurrentApi -instancename $Instance | FL}

elseif (($CheckMaxConcurrentApi) -and ($Computer -ne "Localhost"))

{CheckMaxConcurrentApi -ComputerName $Computer | FL}

elseif (($CheckMaxConcurrentApi) -and ($CalcMCA -eq $true))

{CheckMaxConcurrentApi -Calc $calcmca | FL}

elseif ($CheckMaxConcurrentApi)

{CheckMaxConcurrentApi | FL}

if (($GetNetlogonInstances) -and ($Computer -ne "Localhost"))

{GetNetlogonInstances | FL}

elseif ($GetNetlogonInstances)

{GetNetlogonInstances -RemoteComputerName $Computer | FL}

Execution:

Now, I modified this script taking out the clear screen parameter so that I could be run against multiple servers. Place the script in your Scripts directory and name it CheckMaxConcurrentApiScript.ps1

First, in PowerShell, gather your list of servers:

$DCList = Get-ADDomainController -Filter * | Sort-Object Name | Select-Object Name

1	$DCList = Get-ADDomainController -Filter * \| Sort-Object Name \| Select-Object Name

$EXList = Get-ExchangeServer | Sort-Object Name | Select-Object Name

1	$EXList = Get-ExchangeServer \| Sort-Object Name \| Select-Object Name

Next, run the command to run the ps1 against those servers:

foreach ($DC in $DCList) { $DC.Name ; Invoke-Command -Command {C:\Scripts\CheckMaxConcurrentApiScript.ps1 -checkmaxconcurrentapi -Computer $DC.Name -CalcMCA $true} }

1	foreach ($DC in $DCList) { $DC.Name ; Invoke-Command -Command {C:\Scripts\CheckMaxConcurrentApiScript.ps1 -checkmaxconcurrentapi -Computer $DC.Name -CalcMCA $true} }

foreach ($EX in $EXList) { $EX.Name ; Invoke-Command -Command {C:\Scripts\CheckMaxConcurrentApiScript.ps1 -checkmaxconcurrentapi -Computer $EX.Name -CalcMCA $true} }

1	foreach ($EX in $EXList) { $EX.Name ; Invoke-Command -Command {C:\Scripts\CheckMaxConcurrentApiScript.ps1 -checkmaxconcurrentapi -Computer $EX.Name -CalcMCA $true} }

Sample Output:

DC03
Detection Time : 12/13/2018 7:56:16 PM
Problem Detected : False
Server Name : DC03
Server Role : Domain Controller
Domain Name : ldlnet.org
Operating System : Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Enterprise
Time Since Last Reboot : 4 days 22 hours
Current Effective MaxConcurrentApi Setting : 10
Suggested MaxConcurrentApi Setting (may be same as current) : 10
Current Threads in Use (Semaphore Holders) : 0
Clients Currently Waiting (Semaphore Waiters) : 0
Cumulative Client Timeouts (Semaphore Timeouts) : 17
Cumulative MaxConcurrentApi Thread Uses (Semaphore Acquires) : 3493999
Duration of Calls (Avg Semaphore Hold Time) : 0

EXCH02
Detection Time : 12/13/2018 8:00:53 PM
Problem Detected : False
Server Name : EXCH02
Server Role : Member Server
Domain Name : ldlnet.org
Operating System : Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 Standard
Time Since Last Reboot : 4 days 23 hours
Current Effective MaxConcurrentApi Setting : 10
Suggested MaxConcurrentApi Setting (may be same as current) : 10
Current Threads in Use (Semaphore Holders) : 0
Clients Currently Waiting (Semaphore Waiters) : 0
Cumulative Client Timeouts (Semaphore Timeouts) : 570
Cumulative MaxConcurrentApi Thread Uses (Semaphore Acquires) : 1682257
Duration of Calls (Avg Semaphore Hold Time) : 0

Hopefully, this script will assist you with gathering the needed information to help you balance the netlogon load between your servers when needed in your environment.

HAPPY TROUBLESHOOTING!

Lance LingerfeltJanuary 10, 2019January 29, 2019

Protected AD Groups and the problems they can cause accounts

I have run into this issue over the years with accounts being in the Domain Admins group and having issues running PowerShell cmdlets as well as not being able to connect to ActiveSync from a mobile device with the account.

These issues are due to the AdminSDHolder Template in AD and the SDProp Process that is run every 60 Minutes in AD.
This is explained in fantastic detail through the following Microsoft article: Protected Accounts & Groups In Active Directory

Here is an example of an issue that occurred in one of the environments that I was managing. A user was trying to run the following AD cmdlet in PowerShell on DC01:

Set-ADUser lancel -Server dc01.ldlnet.org -Replace @{title="Senior Operations Engineer"}

1	Set-ADUser lancel -Server dc01.ldlnet.org -Replace @{title="Senior Operations Engineer"}

The user got the following error when the cmdlet was executed:

Set-ADUser : Insufficient access rights to perform the operation
At line:1 char:1
+ Set-ADUser lancel -Server dc01.ldlnet.org -Replace @{title=”Senior O …
+ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
+ CategoryInfo: NotSpecified: (lancel:ADUser) [Set-ADUser], ADException
+ FullyQualifiedErrorId : ActiveDirectoryServer:8344,Microsoft.ActiveDirectory.Management.Commands.SetADUser

The issue was that the admin account used to run the cmdlet was in the Domain Admins group and was not inheriting permissions per the AdminSDHolder template that was applied to the account:

I checked to see that the admin account was in a protected group:

I next went to the Security Tab > Advanced Button and saw that the Enable Inheritance button was visible:

I’ve circled where to look in the window.

This verifies that the account is protected due to being in the Domain Admins group. Now, there are two workarounds for this particular error that we were experiencing.

Click the Enable Inheritance button. This will cause the permissions to be inherited temporarily. When SDProp is cycled again, the account will lose any inherited permissions and will be essentially “broken” again. This is not good if you’re going to be running cmdlets regularly to modify AD Accounts.
The preferred method to work around this issue is to set the -Server parameter to point to a different DC than the one you are on. So, essentially, we tell the cmdlet to execute on DC02 when running the cmdlet from DC01.

Set-ADUser lancel -Server dc02.ldlnet.org -Replace @{title="Senior Operations Engineer"}

1	Set-ADUser lancel -Server dc02.ldlnet.org -Replace @{title="Senior Operations Engineer"}

Either method will allow the cmdlet to execute successfully and modify the object. You would think that Microsoft would have noticed this issue with running an admin cmdlet for Active Directory, but they have not fixed this issue as of yet nor do i think they plan to. I would just go with workaround number two and remain sane.

Another example of this Protected Group issue comes with an account in a Protected Group that has a mailbox not being able to connect to Exchange ActiveSync when setting up their mobile device.

You usually get a 500 error on the device that you cannot connect.
You will also see event 1053 in Event Viewer alluding to not having sufficient access to create the container for the user in AD.

Read this page for more information: Exchange ActiveSync Permissions Issue with Protected Groups

So, in your endeavors admins, keep this in mind when running into these types of problems. Happy Troubleshooting!

Connect to Exchange Online with the RPS Proxy Method to remove the 10K size limitation

Prepare a folder locally and place all the photos in that folder

Update the profile pictures via PowerShell

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Transfer FSMO Roles using PowerShell

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Execution:

Sample Output:

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PLEASE COMMENT!

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PLEASE COMMENT!

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THANKS FOR READING!

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PLEASE COMMENT!

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LEARN, DO, LIVE!