hakkacheyassin/Automation-using-Scripts

Using scripts and PowerShell to automate tasks across Windows, Linux, and Azure Cloud

IT Automation using Scripts

IT automation involves replacing manual tasks with automated processes. This eliminates manual steps by employing software and applications to streamline existing tasks.

Why Use Scripts?

• Different programming languages are available.
• Creation of repeatable processes.
• Ensures consistent configuration and deployment.
• Scripts are built into most operating systems.
• Easier to learn compared to fully deployed automation platforms.

How Can Scripts Help?

• Quick automation of smaller tasks.
• Automation of tasks not feasible within larger platforms.
• Time and effort saving, leading to increased infrastructure management productivity.

Types of Automation Scripts

1. Task Execution: A set of ordered instructions or commands for performing actions within an environment.
2. Configuration Modifications: Modify configurations, such as Windows settings, using locally executed or login process-integrated scripts.
3. Deployment: Applied to both on-premises and cloud services.

Are Scripts IT Automation?

Yes:

• Ease of creation for scripting.
• Can automate less complex tasks.
• Utilizes powerful coding languages and commands for UI tasks.

No:

• Scripting can be slow and time-consuming.
• Maintenance of scripts can be challenging.
• Scripts are part of an overall IT automation strategy.

Scripting for Windows Automation

• Command Prompt and batch files.
• PowerShell and script files.
• Task Scheduler and tasks.

Automating Common Tasks

• Launching multiple applications.
• Starting applications as an administrator.
• Cleaning file storage.
• Restarting and shutting down the operating system.
• Backup of files and folders.

Example 1: Launching Multiple Applications

Batch Command

start 1337.exe
start chrome.exe

PowerShell Command

Start-Process "1337.exe"
Start-Process "chrome.exe"

Example 2: Launching Applications as Administrator

Batch Command

Runas /user:COMPUTER\user "C:\1337.exe"

PowerShell Command

Start-Process "C:\1337.exe" -Verb runAs

Example 3: Cleaning Up File Storage

Batch Command

@echo off
forfiles /p "%USERPROFILE%\Documents" /s /m *.c /d -10 /c "cmd /c del @path"
echo Document files older than 10 days deleted
pause
exit

Example 4: Rebooting and Shutting Down

Batch Command

@echo off
:a
If %time%==19:00:00.00 goto :b
goto a
:b
Shutdown.exe /s /f /t 120 /c "Rebooting"
exit

PowerShell Command

Restart-Computer -Force

Example 5: Backup Files and Folders

Batch Command

@echo off
set sourcedir=C:\Users\USER
set targetdir=D:\Backup
Robocopy %sourcedir% %targetdir% * /e /j /r:10 /v
pause
exit

PowerShell Command

Wbadmin start backup -backupTarget:D: -include:c: -allCritical -quiet

Scripting for Linux Automation

• Bash and shell scripts.
• Python scripts.
• Cron jobs and AT services.

Automating Common Tasks

• Launching multiple applications.
• Cleaning file storage.
• Backup of files and folders.

Example 1: Launching Multiple Applications

Bash Command

#!/bin/bash
/usr/bin/firefox &
/usr/bin/chrome &
/usr/bin/Discord &
exit 0

Python Command

import os
os.system("firefox")
os.system("chrome")
os.system("discord")

Example 2: Cleaning Up File Storage

Bash Command

#!/bin/bash
find /home/user/Documents -mtime +10 -type f -delete

Python Command

import os
import time

path = '/home/user/Documents'
files = os.listdir(path)

now = time.time()
n_days = n * 86400

for f in files:
    filepath = os.path.join(path, f)
    if not os.path.isfile(path):
        continue
    if os.stat(filepath).st_mtime < now - n_days:
        os.remove(filepath)

Example 3: Backup Files and Folders

Bash Command

#!/bin/bash
tar -cvf /home/Backup.tar /home/user/Documents

Python Command

import os
import time

source = '/home/user/Documents'
targetdir = '/home/Backup/'

target = targetdir + time.strftime('%Y%m%d%H%M%S') + '.zip'
zip = "zip -qr '%s' %s" % (target, ' '.join(source))
os.system(zip)

Replace placeholders in the examples with your actual commands, paths, and configurations to effectively showcase your project's scripting automation capabilities.