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Using the Regfind utility, you can easily search the Registry for a value, regardless of the key, and replace it . Regfind (from the Windows 2000 Server Resource Kit) can be an invaluable tool when you need change a Registry key that you know the value for but when do not necessarily know the full path . Recently tasked with changing the hardcoded DNS server IP on all the servers in our organization, I was pleasantly surprised when I located this gem. The problem with trying to change the DNS server entry in the Registry is that all the IP parameters are broken up by a hashed ID. The ID references several things, but most of them have to do with the network card. Regfind allows you to search a set of subkeys in the Registry for a specific value and, when found, replace it. Another real beauty of this program is that it will work remotely; all you need to do is supply it with a list of machines and let it go. Using a list of computer names (generated from SMS, Server Manager, or AD Users and Computers), combined with two batch files, you can make sweeping changes in a dynamic environment. The CodeHere's an example of how to change the DNS server entry on all servers in your organization. First, create a batch file called Regchange2.bat with the following syntax: regfind -m \%1 -p HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\parameters " OLDIP " -r " NEWIP " You will obviously want to replace OLDIP with the old DNS server IP and replace NEWIP with the new DNS server IP. Now, create a second batch file called regchange1.bat with the following syntax: for /F %%A in (servers.txt) do (call regchange2.bat %%A) This searches the servers.txt file for computer names and passes them to the regchange2.bat file as a command-line argument. Now you need to create a list file for your batch files to use. Create a listing of servers that need to have their DNS IP's changed and save that list as servers.txt . An SMS report or a copy/paste from the server manager will suffice, or you can create the file manually if you like. Running the HackNow, simply run the regchange1.bat batch file by calling it from a logon script and watch all your servers have their IP settings changed! This is just one simple example of how to use Regfind. There are many command-line arguments, so please examine those to meet your needs. Donnie Taylor |
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