1. Windows Administration using Python
9/11/2018 1:35 PM
THR2232
Windows Administration using Python
Neil McIsaac
Technology Ninjaneer and Trainer
@neilmcisaac
© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

2. Session Objectives Introduce Python as a system administration tool
How to get started administering Windows 10 with Python
The Takeaway
Resources and roadmap on how to get started
Do it in 20 minutes!
* Based on version Python 3.6.2, but will work on most versions

3. The Problem least amount of effort?
9/11/2018 1:35 PM
The Problem
How can we get the most out of automation
with the
least amount of effort?
© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

4. A Solution… Python? Everything! Python PowerShell Chef/Puppet Focus
9/11/2018 1:35 PM
A Solution… Python?
Python
PowerShell
Chef/Puppet
Focus
Everything!
Scripting
(Microsoft and Linux/Unix support)
Configuration Management
Best feature
Language simplicity and extensibility
Cmdlet simplicity
Cross-platform support
Worst feature
Navigating the ecosystem
Extensibility beyond Microsoft built modules
Requires Infrastructure support
© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.

5. Scenarios
What?
Assess/Evaluate - Service/process information, installed software etc
Modify - Start/stop services, install software, modify configuration
Where?
Local administration or remote administration?
Are we using an API such as WinRM or WMI?
Where do we need Python installed?

6. Getting Started Install Python (recommend version 3)
Only required where you run python scripts!
Virtualenv/venv recommended
Install the required packages using pip
pip install <package name>
Configure WinRM on remote machines
WinRM quickconfig
Advanced configuration

7. Python Standard Libraries
platform
platform.system() – returns windows
platform.release() – returns 10
platform.version() – returns
platform.win32_ver() – returns OS release, version, sp level and OS type os
os.getcwd() – returns current working directory
os.chdir(“f:\”) – change to the root of F drive
os.system(“Notepad.exe”) – start notepad

8. Python Standard Libraries
shutil – high-level file operations (copy, move etc.)
Copies Metadata
Copies Permissions
Can Specify Buffer
shutil.copy(src, dst) No
Yes
shutil.copyfile(src, dst)
shutil.copy2(src, dst)
shutil.copyfileobj(src, dst, bufferLength)

9. Packages pywinrm – Python library for Windows Remote Management
Allows for specific WinRM authentication (Kerberos, NTLM, CredSSP)
win32core - Python extensions for Windows
Supports pip install and replaces Pywin32
win32compat, win32ext, win32gui
WMI - Windows Management Instrumentation
Requires win32core and win32compat *or* Pywin32

10. WMI Example import wmi c = wmi.WMI()
svcs = c.Win32_Service(StartMode=“Auto”, State=“Stopped”)
if svcs:
for s in svcs:
print(s.Name, “ - ”, s.Caption)
else:
print “No stopped services”

11. WMI Remote Example import wmi c = wmi.WMI(computer=“computername",
user=“neil”,password=“password”)
svcs = c.Win32_Service(StartMode=“Auto”, State=“Stopped”)
if svcs:
for s in svcs:
print(s.Name, “ - ”, s.Caption)
else:
print “No stopped services”

12. Demo

13. Further Information Python Docs WMI cookbook
WMI cookbook
PyWin32 (win32core, win32compat, win32ext)
General Windows administration with Python info

14. Please evaluate this session
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9/11/2018
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The information herein is for informational purposes only and represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation as of the date of this presentation. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information provided after the date of this presentation. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, AS TO THE INFORMATION IN THIS PRESENTATION.