by Max Volkov

Day-to-day admin task automation with SCOM Console extension.

Summary.This article introduces SCOM tasks, and agent tasks in particular. Finds them powerful, but not yet convenient to use. And finally, introduces a solution: an open-source management pack, full of powerful tasks, but also with a user friendly UI to run them and display results. Part One: SCOM Tasks. SCOM is always counted as a… Read More

by Max Volkov

Implementing SCOM Managed Modules. Part 3.

First part: https://maxcoreblog.com/2020/07/23/implementing-scom-managed-modules-part-1/ Second part: https://maxcoreblog.com/2020/08/05/implementing-scom-managed-modules-part-2/ Multiple Instances. In the past examples, the rules and the monitors target a class, which has singular instance per SCOM Agent. In other words (under usual circumstances), one SCOM Agent monitors single Windows Computer. The next experiment aiming to answer another question: how many instances of a managed module… Read More

by Max Volkov

Accidental Task: Hyper-V default switch and VMs on static IP addresses.

When running a small test sandbox using Hyper-V, the default switch is an ideal “quick and dirty” solution to provide hosted VM internet access (shared with the local workstation). Such configuration is extremely helpful for developers and testers, who can just run few VMs on their desktop or laptop. Of cause, a fully blown corporate… Read More

by Max Volkov

Implementing SCOM Managed Modules. Part 2.

First part: https://maxcoreblog.com/2020/07/23/implementing-scom-managed-modules-part-1/ In the first part, a simplest probe action managed module was created to investigate SCOM managed modules live cycle. For that purpose, the module was fit with excessive logging for very each step. Initial testing scenario was: deploy the MP with the test probe action module, let it run two times, then… Read More

by Max Volkov

Implementing SCOM Managed Modules. Part 1.

Introduction First of all, what are SCOM modules in general, and managed modules in particular? A module is the smallest building block of any monitor, rule, or discovery. Like composition of atoms create molecules and matter, composition of modules create monitors, rules, discoveries, or other composite modules. Like the ancient meaning of the word “atomos”,… Read More

by Max Volkov

Accidental Task: Test SCCM Certificate Expiration.

When System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) Client connects to upstream management point, it should confirms it identity. In an environment with a single security realm (i.e. in the same Active Directory forest), such identification is implemented seamlessly without any additional configuration. However, if management points are not in the same trusted environment, then certificates come… Read More

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by Max Volkov

Welcome

This blog is for anyone who want to learn how to create management packs for System Center Operations Manager (SCOM). What is that? Why the subject so specific? Why anyone would need this? Let’s jump in. The Platform At the first look System Center Operations Manager is a monitoring tool from Microsoft, thus targeting Microsoft… Read More

by Max Volkov

Are SCOM Ids random?

Objects and entity identifiers Every single monitored object (class instance), or class, or monitor, or rule, or any other management pack element in SCOM has its own unique identifier. The id is of type of Guid in PowerShell/C# or uniqueidentifier in SQL. Looking at a Guid property (where GUID is an abbreviation for Globally Unique Identifier), it is reasonable… Read More