Very very new to AD

paulhogan3 · 2016-11-07T20:29:46.000Z

I am just starting an apprenticeship with a company that uses AD and Powershell. I start tomorrow and I wondered if any guru’s can offer any advice/tips? Thanks in advance. Paul

kptim · 2016-11-07T20:37:12.000Z

Find out what server version they are using and spin up a server in a test lab at home. Get in there and poke around, get familiar and at least learn a few basic PS scripts to start.

andygoody · 2016-11-07T20:38:22.000Z

Ask questions and listen. Never guess !!

Neally · 2016-11-07T20:38:27.000Z

Sure but there is a LOT of stuff with and about it.

I’d recommend to open a new topic if you have a specific question.

Asking Better Questions Best Practices & General IT

Over the years of reading questions on SpiceWorks, I’ve come to the conclusion that there are a few simple ways that nearly all of us could get better answers, better advice, more information by changing how we ask questions. Here are some tips that I’ve learned (this is not about break/fix questions but about guidance questions…) Always give the business background. No IT choice is made outside of a business context, so provide us with the drives on the decision. Need product type X? Do you …

Good luck with your internship

paulhogan3 · 2016-11-07T20:39:16.000Z

Tim-H:

Find out what server version they are using and spin up a server in a test lab at home. Get in there and poke around, get familiar and at least learn a few basic PS scripts to start.

Thanks Tim I will definitely go it a go

jimmy-t · 2016-11-07T20:41:08.000Z

If you make any changes, setup a test OU first! Apply your user account or computer to that OU and see what the settings do. As long as you apply only to that test OU, you don’t have to worry about breaking anything. Take it slow when learning as it’s quite powerful. Ask questions as you come across them here or with your co-workers.

You’ve got this!

psophos · 2016-11-07T20:41:46.000Z

Be careful with anything that modifies data.

Use the -whatIf parameter.

Get-Help is your friend.

How’s your powershell?

Ashley McGlone has a course on using AD & Powershell on mva.microsoft.com it’s worth a watch.

austinpieper · 2016-11-07T20:45:27.000Z

I learn best by doing. So I agree with Tim - Setup a home lab with a similar version of Windows Server running. Learning how to setup and configure Active Directory Services on a server is an excellent way to begin learning the basics of what Active Directory is and how Powershell can be a useful tool within the environment that you are creating.

scottmartens2 · 2016-11-07T20:45:29.000Z

Read Learn PowerShell in a month of lunches.

big-green-man · 2016-11-07T20:46:57.000Z

Scott.M.UST:

Read Learn PowerShell in a month of lunches.

And watch the accompanying video series:

ranhalt · 2016-11-07T20:52:40.000Z

Tip: Ask specific questions.

jakeeyer · 2016-11-07T21:37:34.000Z

This is the advice/tips that I give/have given to Students who are just starting out:

Don’t ever be afraid to ask questions.
Learn how to ask better questions:
- Do some googling before you ask your question If it’s something that can be googled (Something that I hope can’t be googled “What OU does user “x” belong to in our environment? or What does our company infrastructure look like”)
- Do try to solve your question before you ask it, that way I can mentally eliminate what you already attempted.
- When you go to ask your question, have some sort of idea of what you may think the solution is or another way to solve “x”.
As grumpy as some of us may be, we still like to help people.
Keep learning and do your best to challenge yourself!

But also to echo the other fellow spiceheads here, set up a homelab to tinker around and explore. If you go to a University, there’s a high chance that they have a MSDN license for you to download Operating systems and other software. Take advantage of it!

gonzoman10 · 2016-11-07T22:35:21.000Z

Checkout Microsoft Virtual Academy, they have a good powershell course that will help you learn the basics and start to wrap your head around the monster it is.

learn.microsoft.com

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As for server stuff, like others have said. Spin up a test one at home and just mess with it. There are plenty of great Youtube videos about it that will help you start building services and understanding AD. If you are looking for more of a course to take with it, I highly recommend MTAs and Testout courses.

010101000110100101101101 · 2016-11-08T02:03:00.000Z

I highly recommend the 70-410 study guide, and the step by step 3rd edtion powershell book (it’s red). Both good priced on Amazon.

paulhogan3 · 2016-11-08T08:26:39.000Z

Jake1310:

This is the advice/tips that I give/have given to Students who are just starting out: • Don’t ever be afraid to ask questions. • Learn how to ask better questions: ◦ Do some googling before you ask your question If it’s something that can be googled (Something that I hope can’t be googled “What OU does user “x” belong to in our environment? or What does our company infrastructure look like”) ◦ Do try to solve your question before you ask it, that way I can mentally eliminate what you already attempted. ◦ When you go to ask your question, have some sort of idea of what you may think the solution is or another way to solve “x”. • As grumpy as some of us may be, we still like to help people. • Keep learning and do your best to challenge yourself! But also to echo the other fellow spiceheads here, set up a homelab to tinker around and explore. If you go to a University, there’s a high chance that they have a MSDN license for you to download Operating systems and other software. Take advantage of it!

Thanks to everyone for the amazing comments and tips. I will be using everything and looking at all the links and ways to improve my knowledge. It’s great to know that so many are willing to help.

rodshort · 2016-11-08T16:15:10.000Z

+1 for Microsoft Virtual academy and online training resources. It is amazing what MS puts out there now for free or low-cost. I wish I had this resource when I started my IT career 20 years ago…

For AD the best way to learn is to build it (virtual) as your read through the book or watch the videos. Nothing beats hands-on. Focus on the fundamentals (schema, DNS, etc.) and pick up the rest as you get more comfortable. Again, get hands-on with AD in a safe testing environment.

For PowerShell, there are a lot of resources so it really depends on your personal learning style. Look at the online resources and look for a good introductory book on Amazon.

learn.microsoft.com

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skillet · 2016-11-08T17:30:26.000Z

Server Trial Versions are your friend for the home lab. If you have a home machine with decent resources, you could spin up a VM with HyperV or Virtual box and play around with it. And if you break anything, it’s just a lab…

microsoft.com

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kelseaforacrodex · 2016-11-08T18:10:39.000Z

Hey Paul- aside from the great expertise you’re going to find here in the community, I’d also check out Acrodex’s extensive amount of research on the matter, we have everything from case studies to white papers that can help you beef up your knowledge and find examples to help you with AD. Find that info here: https://www.acrodex.com/resources/

Also want to mention that we partner with Azure AD, and would love you chat with you about how it could help you in your situation!

Let me know if you have questions!