?? Unlocking Automation: PowerShell and Bash Strategies for IT Infrastructure Success!

For anyone managing IT infrastructure, repetitive tasks can quickly become a time drain. Imagine handling Veeam backups or running health checks on DELL EMC Enterprise boxes daily—it’s tedious, prone to human error, and a productivity killer. This is where automation steps in. Below are practical strategies I’ve developed using PowerShell for Veeam and Bash for Enterprise Storage boxes, along with best practices to help automation deliver real business impact.

?? Break Down the Script First

Divide and Conquer: Breaking the script into smaller functions allows for faster debugging, testing, and refinement. This modular approach ensures flexibility when updates are needed.

Use Functions for Clarity and Reusability: Functions streamline the script, making it more organized and reusable. They allow specific tasks to be handled in one place, improving readability and allowing quick changes without affecting the entire script.

Track with Azure Boards: For large projects, I use Azure Boards to manage script progress across sprints. This lets the team see what’s done, what’s next, and any pending improvements.

??? Example in Bash: Extracting Linux Server Information

When automating health checks on Linux servers, a common task is gathering hardware information. Here’s a simple Bash snippet using lshw to redirect output to a .txt file and then search for the serial number:

#Run lshw to gather hardware details and save to output file        

sudo lshw > /tmp/server_hardware_info.txt        

# Use grep to find the serial number in the output        

grep -i 'serial' /tmp/server_hardware_info.txt        

This example shows how automation helps reduce time spent on repetitive data extraction, and with proper logging, the results are readily available for reference.

?? Standards Before Automation

Define Naming Conventions: Naming conventions are critical. They ensure that every element—whether it’s a variable or function—follows a set format, making the script easy to read and manage for anyone on the team.

Document with SOPs and Flowcharts: Before automating, I create a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and a visual flowchart to outline how the task is done manually. This brings clarity, reduces ambiguity, and ensures that decision points are well-defined.

Add Comments Throughout: Each script should include comments explaining its purpose and structure, making it easier for others (and even yourself months later!) to understand. Comments act as a roadmap, enhancing maintainability and knowledge sharing across the team.

?? Example in PowerShell: Sending Notifications via Email

When using PowerShell for automating tasks like alerts or notifications, a simple email notification script can save time. Here’s a basic example for sending an email:

# Set email parameters        

$EmailFrom = "[email protected]"        

$EmailTo = "[email protected]"        

$Subject = "Automated Infrastructure Alert"        

$Body = "This is a test email sent from PowerShell automation script."        

$SMTPServer = "smtp.example.com"        

# Send the email        

Send-MailMessage -From $EmailFrom -To $EmailTo -Subject $Subject -Body $Body -SmtpServer $SMTPServer        

This example shows how you can automate notifications for infrastructure health or other critical events, making sure your team stays informed without manual intervention.

?? AI in Scripting: Helper, Not Hero

AI for Inspiration, Not Replacement: AI tools today can whip up scripts across PowerShell, Bash, Julia, or R. However, I’ve found that foundational scripting knowledge and domain understanding are essential to producing efficient, error-free automation.

Stay Curious: While AI provides quick answers, staying active in communities like Stack Overflow and GitHub can give new insights and best practices that enhance script quality.

?? Test in Safe Environments

Run on Lab Servers or Sandboxes First: Testing scripts in a controlled environment is non-negotiable. A sandbox or lab server setup minimizes the risk of unexpected errors before production rollout.

Follow ITIL Processes: Before a script hits the production environment, I ensure it passes through ITIL-compliant change management steps, making it easier to track, roll back, or escalate issues as needed.

?? Highlight Business Value

Showcase Savings: Automation isn’t just about speed—it’s about results. I measure and report on cost savings, reduced turnaround times, minimized errors, and how it lets the team focus on strategic tasks instead of repetitive chores.

Communicate Impact: Whether it’s a slide deck or a simple report, sharing the automation’s impact on efficiency and cost reduction with stakeholders turns technical achievements into clear business wins.

?? Ready to Automate Smarter?

Automation is a journey, not a destination. If you’re keen to take your infrastructure automation to the next level, let’s connect! We can swap stories, share scripting insights, and continue building smarter processes together.