SysAdmin Arsenal

SysAdmin Tools

• SYDI – Network Documentation made easy (VBS script) SYDI-Server v.2.3 Server is a tool for documenting Windows computers
• vCheck – is a PowerShell HTML framework script, the script is designed to run as a scheduled task before you get into the office to present you with key information via an email directly to your inbox in a nice easily readable format.
• SysInternals – Microsoft Sysinternals utilities help you manage, troubleshoot and diagnose your Windows systems and applications.
• mRemoteNG – is a fork of mRemote, an open source, tabbed, multi-protocol, remote connections manager. mRemoteNG adds bug fixes and new features to mRemote.
• JoeWare Tools – offers a bunch of tool for saving administrators around the world time and frustration
• NirSoft Tools – NirSoft web site provides a unique collection of small and useful freeware utilities, all of them developed by Nir Sofer.
• CJWDEV Tools – offer softwares aimed at helping make the jobs of fellow IT Professionalss easier
• NetPerf – Netperf is a great tool for obtaining instantaneous network bandwidth between a client and server. Instructions on using Netperf can be found in this article
• Netwrix Freetools
• WMI Explorer 2014 (SAPIEN) – Allows you to get a handle on WMI classes and their properties and methods
• WMI Explorer (PowerShell Script) – PowerShell-based WMI Explorer tool created by Marc van Orsouw (aka /\/\O\/\/)

VMware Tools

• Run-virtual.com Tools – Set of vSphere tools created by Richard Garsthagen
• RvTools – RVTools is a windows .NET 2.0 application which uses the VI SDK to display information about your virtual machines and ESX hosts
• Ethtool – Display or change ethernet card settings
  • One of the feature of this tool, allows you to make the NIC blinks! This come very handy when you need to identify which NIC is which VMNIC [fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”][Article]  for example: ethtool -p vmnic0 5 will make the NIC blink for 5 seconds.
• Esxtop – VMware’s command-line tool for analyzing vSphere performance issues.

VMware Blogs/References

• Run-virtual.com Alan Renouf
• lucd.info Luc Dekens
• Yellow-bricks.com – Duncan Epping

SysAdmins Blogs/References

• 4Sysops
• ChrisWolf.com

PowerShell Blogs/References

• Powershell.com
• Technet – Script Center
• Technet – PowerShell Survival Guide
• PowerScripting Podcast
• Powershell.org
• PoshCode.org
• Microsoft Virtual Academy Trainings
  • Getting Started with PowerShell 3.0 Jump Start
• Channel 9 Sessions
  • TechEd 2013 North America
    • Desired State Configuration in Windows Server 2012 R2 PowerShell
• PowerShell Summit Recordings
  • Device Management With PowerShell – Ricardo Mendes
  • Creating a Complex and Reusable HTML Reporting Structure – Alan Renouf
  • How Secure Can You Be – Jeff Hicks
  • Standards Based Hardware Management – Steve Lee
  • Workshop – Automating for DevOps – Kenneth Hansen and Hemant Mahawar
  • CIM Sessions – Richard Siddaway
  • PowerShell Web Access – Richard Siddaway
  • Sapien PowerShell Products – David Corrales
  • What I learned Judging 5000 Scripts – Ed Wilson
  • PowerShell Events – Richard Siddaway
  • Write Modules, Not Scripts – Ed Wilson
  • PoshMon – PowerShell Does Performance Counters – Ed Wilson
  • Configuring Your PowerShell Workflow Environment – Aleksandar Nikolic
  • Practical PowerShell Integration from Bare Metal to the Cloud – Alan Renouf
  • Source Control for IT Pros – Andy Schneider
  • Creating HTML Reports with Style – Jeff Hicks
  • Remoting Configuration Deep Dive – Don Jones
  • Advanced Network Scripting with PowerShell – Lee Holmes
  • Build Your Demo Environment with Windows PowerShell – Aleksandar Nikolic