Introduction

Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Scripting Guide

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Welcome to the Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Scripting Guide.

As computers and computer networks continue to grow larger and more complex, system administrators continue to face new challenges. Not all that long ago, system administration was limited to managing a handful of computers (most located within the same general area), a relatively small number of user accounts, and a few applications, many of which had no knowledge of, or need for, a local area network.

Today, of course, system administrators often manage hundreds, and even thousands of computers, as well as a corresponding number of user accounts. These computers, many situated in remote locations, run scores of applications, and rely heavily on networks and networked resources including file servers, Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and Domain Name System (DNS) servers, and shared printers. This has made it imperative for system administrators to find management solutions that:

• Can be tailored to meet the unique needs of the organization.
• Can operate against multiple computers, and against remote computers.
• Are quick, easy, and cost-effective.

Scripts provide all of these capabilities, and more. In addition, scripting requires no investment in hardware or software beyond a computer running Microsoft® Windows® 2000.

This book introduces you to the scripting technologies included in the Windows 2000 platform. It teaches you the basic concepts underlying such key scripting technologies as VBScript, Windows Script Host (WSH), Active Directory Service Interfaces (ADSI), and Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI). In addition, the book includes hundreds of pre-written scripts that carry out such routine, yet important, system administration tasks as: backing up and clearing event logs; monitoring process use; reading and writing to the registry; and managing user accounts, computer accounts, printers, and services. You can use these scripts as provided, or you can apply the principles of the Microsoft scripting technologies to modify them to meet your exact needs.

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