Tuesday, October 25, 2011

SCSM Workflow Date Time Token Error in the Authoring Console

The Authoring Tool workflow has an option of "relative" when using date fields. However, when you check the checkbox and enter a relative token such as [now] the authoring console doesn't like it and will not save. I haven't seen anyone else complain about this, so maybe it is just my environment. Either way, I had to find a workaround. It is pretty simple.

First what might happen is you are creating an on update trigger. You select a date field and select the relate checkbox.


















You might be able to click okay, but later down the road when you save you might get this token error.













If this is happening to you, specify the expression that you want, except do not use "relative." For now, insert a static date. Save the management pack and open the xml. Go find your expression. You can see mine below.
<Expression>     <SimpleExpression>         <ValueExpression>              <Property State="Post">$Context/Property[Type='CustomSystem_WorkItem_Library!System.WorkItem']/ScheduledStartDate$</Property>                            </ValueExpression>                            <Operator>LessEqual</Operator>                            <ValueExpression>                              <Value>2011-09-25T05:00:00</Value>                            </ValueExpression>                          </SimpleExpression>                        </Expression>

Replace <Value>2011-09-25T05:00:00</Value> with <Token>[now]</Token>


That's it.

SCSM Tokens

[me]
[mygroups]

[now] +|- # s|m|h|d

where:

s => seconds
m => minutes
h => hours
d => days

for example:
[now] + 2 h is now + 2 hours
[now ]+ 3 m is now + 3 minutes
[now] - 2 h is now - 2 hours

Monday, September 12, 2011

Quickly find the SCSM Management Group Name

I always assumed the SCSM management group name was in the title of the console until I actually needed one day, then I realized it wasn't there. It seems like you would see the Management Group name every where, but it is not. Use the registry on a SCSM server to find it.

Open regedit:
HKEY_LOCAL_Machine\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Microsoft Operations Manager\3.0\Server Management Groups 

Monday, August 29, 2011

Here are some useful SCSM DataMart Views

Create Announcements view from The CMDB


USE [DWDataMart]
GO
/****** Object:  View [dbo].[Custom_Announcements]    Script Date: 08/29/2011 13:16:37 ******/
SET ANSI_NULLS ON
GO
SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER ON
GO
Create View [dbo].[Custom_Announcements]
As
Select BaseManagedEntityId,
ExpirationDate_DDB905FF_A923_F97D_D00B_6430C2CD5E95 as Expiration,
P.DisplayName as Priority,
Title_A24FDDD9_5BC0_B3D0_E014_1F98C0B9143E Announcement,
Left(Substring(Body_3D226BC1_0528_14EA_F3FB_3823A132B4F8,Charindex('\ltrch',Body_3D226BC1_0528_14EA_F3FB_3823A132B4F8)+7,250),Charindex('}',Substring(Body_3D226BC1_0528_14EA_F3FB_3823A132B4F8,Charindex('\ltrch',Body_3D226BC1_0528_14EA_F3FB_3823A132B4F8)+7,250))-1) Body
 FROM ServiceManager.dbo.MTV_System$Announcement$Item a
 Join ServiceManager.dbo.DisplayStringView P on a.Priority_6986BA50_58CF_ABCA_FB58_8FCAB694E6C9 = P.LTStringId and LanguageCode = 'ENU'
GO


Review Activities

/****** Object:  View [dbo].[Custom_ReviewActivityList]    Script Date: 08/29/2011 13:16:37 ******/
SET ANSI_NULLS ON
GO
SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER ON
GO

CREATE VIEW [dbo].[Custom_ReviewActivityList]
 AS


Select
RA.Id + Coalesce(Cast(R.ReviewerDimKey as varchar(255)),'') As ActivityandReviewer_Key,
RA.BaseManagedEntityId as ActivityGUID,
RA.Id as ActivityId,
Cast('https://servicemanagerdev/analyst/ReviewActivityDetails.aspx?AID=' + RA.Id AS varchar(255)) ViewActivity,
RA.CreatedDate,
RA.Title,
DecString.DisplayName,
R.DecisionDate,
R.Comments as DecisionComments,
U.FirstName as ReviewerFirstName, U.LastName as ReviewerLastName, U.DisplayName as ReviewerDisplayName, U.UserName as ReviewerUserName,
WI.BaseManagedEntityId as ParentWorkItemGUId,
WI.Id as ParentWorkItemId,
WI.Title as ParentWorkitemTitle,
Cast('https://servicemanagerdev/analyst/ChangeRequestDetails.aspx?CRID=' + WI.Id  AS varchar(255)) ViewParent
FROM ActivityDimvw A
Join ReviewActivityDimvw RA on A.BaseManagedEntityId = RA.BaseManagedEntityId
Left Join ReviewActivityhasReviewerFactvw RARF on A.ActivityDimKey = RARF.ActivityDimKey
LEFT Join ReviewerDimvw R on RARF.ReviewActivityHasReviewer_ReviewerDimKey = R.ReviewerDimKey
LEFT Join ReviewerDecisionvw RD ON R.Decision_ReviewerDecisionId = RD.ReviewerDecisionId
Left Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as DecString on RD.EnumTypeId = DecString.BaseManagedEntityId and DecString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

LEFT Join ReviewerIsUserFactvw RU on R.ReviewerDimKey = RU.ReviewerDimKey
LEFT Join UserDimvw U on RU.ReviewerIsUser_UserDimKey = U.UserDimKey

Left Join ActivityAreavw AA  With (NOLOCK) on RA.Area_ActivityAreaId= AA.ActivityAreaId
Left Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as AAString on AA.EnumTypeId = AAString.BaseManagedEntityId and AAString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

Left Join ActivityPriorityvw AP  With (NOLOCK) on RA.Priority_ActivityPriorityId = AP.ActivityPriorityId
Left Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as APString on AP.EnumTypeId = APString.BaseManagedEntityId and APString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

Left Join ActivityStagevw AStage  With (NOLOCK) on RA.Stage_ActivityStageId = AStage.ActivityStageId
Left Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as AStageString on AStage.EnumTypeId = AStageString.BaseManagedEntityId and AStageString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

Left Join ActivityStatusvw AStatus  With (NOLOCK) on RA.Status_ActivityStatusId = AStatus.ActivityStatusId
Left Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as AStatusString on AStatus.EnumTypeId = AStatusString.BaseManagedEntityId and AStatusString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

Left Join WorkItemContainsActivityFactvw WICA on A.ActivityDimKey = WICA.WorkItemContainsActivity_ActivityDimKey
Left Join WorkItemDimvw WI on WICA.WorkItemDimKey = WI.WorkItemDimKey
GO

Incidents 


/****** Object:  View [dbo].[Custom_IncidentList_with_HL]    Script Date: 08/29/2011 13:16:37 ******/
SET ANSI_NULLS ON
GO
SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER ON
GO
CREATE VIEW [dbo].[Custom_IncidentList_with_HL]
 AS

Select
I.BaseManagedEntityId as IncidentGUID,
I.Id as IncidentId,
'https://servicemanagerdev/enduser/RequestDetails.aspx?RequestsId=' + Convert(varchar(50),I.BaseManagedEntityId) + '&RequestType=incident'
AS IncidentLink,
I.CreatedDate,
IncidentStatusString.DisplayName as 'Status',
IncidentClassString.DisplayName  as 'Classification',
I.Title, I.Description, Escalated,
IncidentImpactString.DisplayName as Impact,
IncidentUrgencyString.DisplayName as Urgency,
Priority,
IncidentResCatString.DisplayName as ResolutionCategory,
ResolutionDescription,
TargetResolutionTime,
AffectedUser.FirstName as AffectedUserFirstName, AffectedUser.LastName as AffectedUserLastName, AffectedUser.DisplayName as AffectedUserDisplayName, AffectedUser.UserName as AffectedUserName,
ContactMethod as AffectedUserContactMethod,
AssignedUser.FirstName as AssignedUserFirstName, AssignedUser.LastName as AssignedUserLastName, AssignedUser.DisplayName as AssignedUserDisplayName, AssignedUser.UserName as AssignedUserName,
CreatedByUser.FirstName as CreatedByUserFirstName, CreatedByUser.LastName as CreatedByUserLastName, CreatedByUser.DisplayName as CreatedByUserDisplayName, CreatedByUser.UserName as CreatedByUserName
FROM dbo.IncidentDimvw I With (NOLOCK)
Join WorkItemDimvw WI  With (NOLOCK) on I.BaseManagedEntityId = WI.BaseManagedEntityId

LEFT Join IncidentStatusvw S  With (NOLOCK) on I.Status_IncidentStatusId = s.IncidentStatusId
LEFT Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as IncidentStatusString on S.EnumTypeId = IncidentStatusString.BaseManagedEntityId and IncidentStatusString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

LEFT Join IncidentClassificationvw C on I.Classification_IncidentClassificationId = C.IncidentClassificationId
LEFT Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as IncidentClassString on C.EnumTypeId = IncidentClassString.BaseManagedEntityId and IncidentClassString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

LEFT Join IncidentImpactvw Impact on I.Impact_IncidentImpactId = Impact.IncidentImpactId
LEFT Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as IncidentImpactString on Impact.EnumTypeId = IncidentImpactString.BaseManagedEntityId and IncidentImpactString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

LEFT Join IncidentUrgencyvw Urgency on I.Urgency_IncidentUrgencyId = Urgency.IncidentUrgencyId
LEFT Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as IncidentUrgencyString on Urgency.EnumTypeId = IncidentUrgencyString.BaseManagedEntityId and IncidentUrgencyString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

LEFT Join IncidentResolutionCategoryvw ResCat on I.ResolutionCategory_IncidentResolutionCategoryId = ResCat.IncidentResolutionCategoryId
LEFT Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as IncidentResCatString on ResCat.EnumTypeId = IncidentResCatString.BaseManagedEntityId and IncidentResCatString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

Left Join WorkItemAffectedUserFactvw WIAF on WI.WorkItemDimKey = WIAF.WorkItemDimKey and WIAF.DeletedDate IS NULL
Left Join UserDimvw AffectedUser on WIAF.WorkItemAffectedUser_UserDimKey = AffectedUser.UserDimKey

Left Join WorkItemAssignedToUserFactvw WIAT on WI.WorkItemDimKey = WIAT.WorkItemDimKey and WIAT.DeletedDate IS NULL
Left Join UserDimvw AssignedUser on WIAT.WorkItemAssignedToUser_UserDimKey = AssignedUser.UserDimKey

Left Join WorkItemCreatedByUserFactvw WICB on WI.WorkItemDimKey = WICB.WorkItemDimKey and WICB.DeletedDate IS NULL
Left Join UserDimvw CreatedByUser on WICB.WorkItemCreatedByUser_UserDimKey = CreatedByUser.UserDimKey

Where 1=1

and Status <> ('IncidentStatusEnum.Closed')
GO

Another Incident List without a Hyperlink

/****** Object:  View [dbo].[Custom_IncidentList]    Script Date: 08/29/2011 13:16:37 ******/
SET ANSI_NULLS ON
GO
SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER ON
GO
CREATE VIEW [dbo].[Custom_IncidentList]
 AS

Select
I.BaseManagedEntityId as IncidentGUID,
I.Id as IncidentId,
I.CreatedDate,
IncidentStatusString.DisplayName as 'Status',
IncidentClassString.DisplayName  as 'Classification',
I.Title, I.Description, Escalated,
IncidentImpactString.DisplayName as Impact,
IncidentUrgencyString.DisplayName as Urgency,
Priority,
IncidentResCatString.DisplayName as ResolutionCategory,
ResolutionDescription,
TargetResolutionTime,
AffectedUser.FirstName as AffectedUserFirstName, AffectedUser.LastName as AffectedUserLastName, AffectedUser.DisplayName as AffectedUserDisplayName, AffectedUser.UserName as AffectedUserName,
ContactMethod as AffectedUserContactMethod,
AssignedUser.FirstName as AssignedUserFirstName, AssignedUser.LastName as AssignedUserLastName, AssignedUser.DisplayName as AssignedUserDisplayName, AssignedUser.UserName as AssignedUserName,
CreatedByUser.FirstName as CreatedByUserFirstName, CreatedByUser.LastName as CreatedByUserLastName, CreatedByUser.DisplayName as CreatedByUserDisplayName, CreatedByUser.UserName as CreatedByUserName
FROM dbo.IncidentDimvw I With (NOLOCK)
Join WorkItemDimvw WI  With (NOLOCK) on I.BaseManagedEntityId = WI.BaseManagedEntityId

LEFT Join IncidentStatusvw S  With (NOLOCK) on I.Status_IncidentStatusId = s.IncidentStatusId
LEFT Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as IncidentStatusString on S.EnumTypeId = IncidentStatusString.BaseManagedEntityId and IncidentStatusString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

LEFT Join IncidentClassificationvw C on I.Classification_IncidentClassificationId = C.IncidentClassificationId
LEFT Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as IncidentClassString on C.EnumTypeId = IncidentClassString.BaseManagedEntityId and IncidentClassString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

LEFT Join IncidentImpactvw Impact on I.Impact_IncidentImpactId = Impact.IncidentImpactId
LEFT Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as IncidentImpactString on Impact.EnumTypeId = IncidentImpactString.BaseManagedEntityId and IncidentImpactString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

LEFT Join IncidentUrgencyvw Urgency on I.Urgency_IncidentUrgencyId = Urgency.IncidentUrgencyId
LEFT Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as IncidentUrgencyString on Urgency.EnumTypeId = IncidentUrgencyString.BaseManagedEntityId and IncidentUrgencyString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

LEFT Join IncidentResolutionCategoryvw ResCat on I.ResolutionCategory_IncidentResolutionCategoryId = ResCat.IncidentResolutionCategoryId
LEFT Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as IncidentResCatString on ResCat.EnumTypeId = IncidentResCatString.BaseManagedEntityId and IncidentResCatString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

Left Join WorkItemAffectedUserFactvw WIAF on WI.WorkItemDimKey = WIAF.WorkItemDimKey and WIAF.DeletedDate IS NULL
Left Join UserDimvw AffectedUser on WIAF.WorkItemAffectedUser_UserDimKey = AffectedUser.UserDimKey

Left Join WorkItemAssignedToUserFactvw WIAT on WI.WorkItemDimKey = WIAT.WorkItemDimKey and WIAT.DeletedDate IS NULL
Left Join UserDimvw AssignedUser on WIAT.WorkItemAssignedToUser_UserDimKey = AssignedUser.UserDimKey

Left Join WorkItemCreatedByUserFactvw WICB on WI.WorkItemDimKey = WICB.WorkItemDimKey and WICB.DeletedDate IS NULL
Left Join UserDimvw CreatedByUser on WICB.WorkItemCreatedByUser_UserDimKey = CreatedByUser.UserDimKey

Where 1=1
--and I.Id = 'IR124'
--and (

-- AffectedUser.UserName = 'Brody_Kilpatrick' OR
-- Assigneduser.UserName = 'Brody_Kilpatrick' OR
-- CreatedByUser.UserName = 'Brody_Kilpatrick'
-- )

and Status <> ('IncidentStatusEnum.Closed')
GO

Change Requests

/****** Object:  View [dbo].[Custom_ChangeList]    Script Date: 08/29/2011 13:16:37 ******/
SET ANSI_NULLS ON
GO
SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER ON
GO
CREATE VIEW [dbo].[Custom_ChangeList]
 AS
 Select
CR.BaseManagedEntityId ChangeGUID,
CR.ID ChangeRequestId,
'https://servicemanagerdev/enduser/RequestDetails.aspx?RequestsId=' + Convert(varchar(50),CR.BaseManagedEntityId) + '&RequestType=changeRequest'
AS EndUserPortalLink,
'https://servicemanagerdev/analyst/ChangeRequestDetails.aspx?CRID=' + CONVERT(varchar(50),CR.ID)
AS AnalystPortalLink,
CR.ActualStartDate,
CR.ActualEndDate,
CR.CreatedDate,
CR.Description,
CR.Notes,
CR.PostImplementationReview,
CR.Reason,
CR.RequiredByDate,
CR.Title,
CAString.DisplayName Area,
CCString.DisplayName Category,
CIString.DisplayName Impact,
CImpString.DisplayName ImplementationResults,
CPString.DisplayName Priority,
CRiskString.DisplayName Risk,
CSString.DisplayName 'Status',

AffectedUser.FirstName as AffectedUserFirstName, AffectedUser.LastName as AffectedUserLastName, AffectedUser.DisplayName as AffectedUserDisplayName, AffectedUser.UserName as AffectedUserName,
ContactMethod as AffectedUserContactMethod,
AssignedUser.FirstName as AssignedUserFirstName, AssignedUser.LastName as AssignedUserLastName, AssignedUser.DisplayName as AssignedUserDisplayName, AssignedUser.UserName as AssignedUserName,
CreatedByUser.FirstName as CreatedByUserFirstName, CreatedByUser.LastName as CreatedByUserLastName, CreatedByUser.DisplayName as CreatedByUserDisplayName, CreatedByUser.UserName as CreatedByUserName


FROM dbo.ChangeRequestDimvw CR
Join dbo.WorkItemDimvw WI on CR.BaseManagedEntityId = WI.BaseManagedEntityId

Left Join WorkItemAffectedUserFactvw WIAF on WI.WorkItemDimKey = WIAF.WorkItemDimKey and WIAF.DeletedDate IS NULL
Left Join UserDimvw AffectedUser on WIAF.WorkItemAffectedUser_UserDimKey = AffectedUser.UserDimKey

Left Join WorkItemAssignedToUserFactvw WIAT on WI.WorkItemDimKey = WIAT.WorkItemDimKey and WIAT.DeletedDate IS NULL
Left Join UserDimvw AssignedUser on WIAT.WorkItemAssignedToUser_UserDimKey = AssignedUser.UserDimKey

Left Join WorkItemCreatedByUserFactvw WICB on WI.WorkItemDimKey = WICB.WorkItemDimKey and WICB.DeletedDate IS NULL
Left Join UserDimvw CreatedByUser on WICB.WorkItemCreatedByUser_UserDimKey = CreatedByUser.UserDimKey


Left Join ChangeAreavw CA  With (NOLOCK) on CR.Area_ChangeAreaId = CA.ChangeAreaId
Left Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as CAString on CA.EnumTypeId = CAString.BaseManagedEntityId and CAString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

Left Join ChangeCategoryvw CC  With (NOLOCK) on CR.Category_ChangeCategoryId = CC.ChangeCategoryId
Left Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as CCString on CC.EnumTypeId = CCString.BaseManagedEntityId and CCString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

Left Join ChangeImpactvw CI  With (NOLOCK) on CR.Impact_ChangeImpactId = CI.ChangeImpactId
Left Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as CIString on CI.EnumTypeId = CIString.BaseManagedEntityId and CIString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

Left Join ChangeImplementationResultsvw CImp  With (NOLOCK) on CR.ImplementationResults_ChangeImplementationResultsId = CImp.ChangeImplementationResultsId
Left Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as CImpString on CImp.EnumTypeId = CImpString.BaseManagedEntityId and CImpString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

Left Join ChangePriorityvw CP  With (NOLOCK) on CR.Priority_ChangePriorityId = CP.ChangePriorityId
Left Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as CPString on CP.EnumTypeId = CPString.BaseManagedEntityId and CPString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

Left Join ChangeRiskvw CRisk  With (NOLOCK) on CR.Risk_ChangeRiskId = CRisk.ChangeRiskId
Left Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as CRiskString on CRisk.EnumTypeId = CRiskString.BaseManagedEntityId and CRiskString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

Left Join ChangeStatusvw CS  With (NOLOCK) on CR.Status_ChangeStatusId = CS.ChangeStatusId
Left Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as CSString on CS.EnumTypeId = CSString.BaseManagedEntityId and CSString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'
GO


All Activity List

/****** Object:  View [dbo].[Custom_ActivityList]    Script Date: 08/29/2011 13:16:37 ******/
SET ANSI_NULLS ON
GO
SET QUOTED_IDENTIFIER ON
GO
CREATE VIEW [dbo].[Custom_ActivityList]
 AS
 Select
A.BaseManagedEntityId ActivityGUID,
A.Id ActivityId,
Case When ra.ActivityId IS NULL
Then 'https://servicemanagerdev/analyst/ManualActivityDetails.aspx?AID=' + CONVERT(varchar(50),A.Id)
Else 'https://servicemanagerdev/analyst/ReviewActivityDetails.aspx?AID=' + CONVERT(varchar(50),A.Id)
End ActivityLink,
A.Title,
ActualStartDate,
ActualEndDate,
A.CreatedDate,
A.Description,
A.Notes,
ScheduledStartDate,
ScheduledEndDate,

AssignedUser.FirstName as AssignedUserFirstName, AssignedUser.LastName as AssignedUserLastName, AssignedUser.DisplayName as AssignedUserDisplayName, AssignedUser.UserName as AssignedUserName,
CreatedByUser.FirstName as CreatedByUserFirstName, CreatedByUser.LastName as CreatedByUserLastName, CreatedByUser.DisplayName as CreatedByUserDisplayName, CreatedByUser.UserName as CreatedByUserName,

AAString.DisplayName Area,
APString.DisplayName Priority,
AStageString.DisplayName Stage,
AStatusString.DisplayName 'Status'

FROM dbo.ActivityDimvw A
Join WorkItemDimvw WI on A.BaseManagedEntityId = WI.BaseManagedEntityId

Left Join WorkItemAssignedToUserFactvw WIAT on WI.WorkItemDimKey = WIAT.WorkItemDimKey and WIAT.DeletedDate IS NULL
Left Join UserDimvw AssignedUser on WIAT.WorkItemAssignedToUser_UserDimKey = AssignedUser.UserDimKey

Left Join WorkItemCreatedByUserFactvw WICB on WI.WorkItemDimKey = WICB.WorkItemDimKey and WICB.DeletedDate IS NULL
Left Join UserDimvw CreatedByUser on WICB.WorkItemCreatedByUser_UserDimKey = CreatedByUser.UserDimKey


Left Join ActivityAreavw AA  With (NOLOCK) on A.Area_ActivityAreaId= AA.ActivityAreaId
Left Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as AAString on AA.EnumTypeId = AAString.BaseManagedEntityId and AAString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

Left Join ActivityPriorityvw AP  With (NOLOCK) on A.Priority_ActivityPriorityId = AP.ActivityPriorityId
Left Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as APString on AP.EnumTypeId = APString.BaseManagedEntityId and APString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

Left Join ActivityStagevw AStage  With (NOLOCK) on A.Stage_ActivityStageId = AStage.ActivityStageId
Left Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as AStageString on AStage.EnumTypeId = AStageString.BaseManagedEntityId and AStageString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

Left Join ActivityStatusvw AStatus  With (NOLOCK) on A.Status_ActivityStatusId = AStatus.ActivityStatusId
Left Join dbo.DisplayStringDimvw as AStatusString on AStatus.EnumTypeId = AStatusString.BaseManagedEntityId and AStatusString.LanguageCode = 'ENU'

Left Join Custom_ReviewActivityList ra on A.Id = ra.ActivityId
GO




Friday, August 5, 2011

Backing up Management packs when they're modified

(Courtesy of my Co-worker and friend Thomas Bianco) 


So i'm warping up the SCSM project at my client, and one of the value add deliverables i wanted to include was an automatic way to backup their configuration in case they modifiy it later and break something. googling around i found This script to backup management packs, but that's not really what I wanted to do. Some quick modifications and I ended up with this script:


Import-module SMLets

#discover if anything is modified today
$today = Get-Date("{0} 00:00:00" -f (get-date).ToShortDateString()); 
if (Get-SCSMManagementPack | where-object {$_.LastModified -ge $today}) {
    
    #Inscope Definitions
    $OutPutDir = "C:\Management Packs\UnsealedBackups\";
    $UnsealedMPs = Get-SCSMManagementPack | ?{ ! $_.Sealed };
    [string]$CurrentDate = Get-Date -uformat "%Y\%m\%d-%A";
    $CompletePath = ($OutPutDir + $CurrentDate);

    if ( ! (test-path  $CompletePath)) {
        $output = New-Item -Type Directory -Name $CurrentDate -Path $OutPutDir;
    };
    
    $UnsealedMPs | Foreach-Object {
        "   Exporting: {0}" -f $_.Name;
        $_ | Export-SCSMManagementPack -targetdirectory "$CompletePath";
    };
};
Remove-module SMLets -force;
Then i scheduled a task to run it every night at 9:00 PM Local time.

powershell.exe -command "& 'C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\Examples\Backup-SCSMUnsealedMPs.ps1' "
The bonus on this is that the backup will only be created if any pack was changed today, and you get a nice sorted tree by year\month\date-day
2011\08\05-Friday

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Four SCSM Self-Service Portal Solutions (certificate, redirect, alias)

When accessing the Self-Service Portal, typing https://servername/enduser into the browser address isn't acceptable for most organizations. This blog posts addresses 4 concerns of the self-service portal and how to resolve them. The information may be common to many IT Professionals; however, it was not common to me, as I have rarely been required to set up IIS sites in the past. I must also mention and thank the source for most of this information, Thomas Bianco, who has challenged me with (I think uncommon) Service Manager questions and answers.

1. Creating a DNS entry for your Self-Service portal
2. Properly creating a certificate to access the Self-Service Portal
3. Automatically redirecting to the end-user portal when typing in that alias
4.  Preventing the need to type in https in front of the site name

For each of these steps, we are going to assume the following:
Self-Service Portal Server Name: SCSM01
Website Name we want to use: ServiceManager.domain.local


1. Creating a DNS entry for your Self-Service portal
  1. Log into DNS for your Active Directory Domain
  2. Go to Forward Lookup Zones
  3. Select you domain
  4. Right click on your domain
  5. Select New Alias (CNAME)
  6. In the Alias Name box type "ServiceManager" (Without the quotes)
  7. In the Fully Qualified Domain Box Type "ServiceManager.domain.local" (Without the quotes)
  8. Click Ok
  9. To test, Browse to https://servicemanager/enduser
  10. You will still receive a certificate error, but should be able to click on to the site

2. Properly creating a certificate to access the Self-Service Portal
  1. Log onto you SCSM Self-Service Portal Server
  2. Start > Run > MMC > File > Add/Remove Snap-in
  3. In the list of snap-ins, select Certificates
  4. Click Add
  5. A window should pop up stating "This snap-in will always maange certificates for:"
  6. Select Computer Account > Next
  7. Select "Local Computer" > Next
  8. Finish
  9. Ok
  10. Expand Certificate (Local Computer) > Personal > Certificates
  11. Right Click > Request New Certificate
  12. Select the Certificate Enrollment Policy
  13. Next
  14. On the enrollment policy click the link labeled "More information is required to enroll for this certificate. Click here to configure settings."
  15. On the Subject tab, on the dropdown box under Type: Populate each field and add them as necessary
  16. Under Alternative name, under Type:  Select DNS
  17. Type in all the names that could be used to access the SSP. For example servicemanager, servicemanager.domain.local, SCSM01, SCSM01.domain.local
  18. Click Add
  19. Select the General Tab and populate the fields
  20. Select the Private Key Tab > Key Options Check the box "Make private key exportable
  21. Select the Certificate Authority Tab
  22. Select the correct certificate authority for your organization
  23. OK
  24. Back on the Certificate Enrollment Window check the "Web Server" box
  25. Click Enroll
Update the SSP with the new certificate
  1. Go to IIS Manager
  2. Select SCSMPortal
  3. Select Bindings
  4. On the HTTPS binding, click edit
  5. In the SSL certificate box, select you new certificate
  6. Click OK
  7. Click Close
The Certificate Error on the Self-Service Portal should no longer exist.


3. Automatically redirecting to the end-user portal when typing in that alias
  1. Open IIS Manager
  2. Select SCSMPortal
  3. Double Click HTTP Redirect (If HTTP Redirect in not installed, go to Roles, Add Features, Select HTTP Redirect)
  4. Check the box "Redirect requests to this destination"
  5. Type in "enduser\" (Without the quotes)
  6. Under redirect behavior make sure "Redirect all requests to exact destination" is UNCHECKED
  7. Under redirect behavior make sure "Only redirect requests to content in the directory" is CHECKED
  8. In the Status Code Select "Found (302)"
  9. Click Apply
  10. Go to the Analyst and enduser vitual directories under SCSMPortal
  11. Select HTTP Redirect
  12. Make sure "redirect requests to this destination" is UNCHECKED
  13. To Test type in https://servicemanager
  14. You should automatically be redirected to https://servicemanager/enduser

4.  Preventing the need to type in https in front of the site name

From Thomas:
[A Client] had a requirement to silently redirect users from their HTTP support site to the new HTTPS. It took me a few hours, but I found out an easy way to do this without redirecting to an absolute path that would break outside access through the firewall. First, I’m using the same redirect we worked out at [Client], then adding in the URL rewrite add-in from http://www.iis.net/download/URLRewrite. The HTTP redirect moves users who hit the website root down to the enduser virtual directory, and the rewrite directives moves connections from HTTP to HTTPS. The only downside is that people going to the root with HTTP get redirected twice, which takes about 1-4 seconds...Feel free to steal this for your blog.

Here's how:
  1. Open IIS Manager
  2. Select SCSMPortal
  3. Select bindings
  4. Click Add
  5. Type: http
  6. IP address: All unassigned
  7. Port: 80
  8. Host Name: Leave Blank
  9. Click OK
  10. If you get a warning about Port 80 being using on the default website, you may want to stop the default website or remove the binding from the default website
  11. Click Close
  12. Install the URL Rewrite utility from http://www.iis.net/download/URLRewrite
  13. Browse to the directory of the SCSM Portal
  14. Backup the web.config file
  15. Open the Web.config file
  16. Paste in the following and save the web.config file:
    <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
    <configuration>
    <system.webServer>
    <httpRedirect enabled="true" destination="enduser/" childOnly="true" />
    <rewrite>
    <rules>
    <rule name="HTTP to HTTPS redirect" stopProcessing="true">
    <match url="(.*)" /> <!-- Require SSL must be OFF in the site settings -->
    <conditions>
    <add input="{HTTPS}" pattern="off" ignoreCase="true" />
    </conditions>
    <action type="Redirect" redirectType="Found" url="https://{HTTP_HOST}{REQUEST_URI}" />
    </rule>
    </rules>
    </rewrite>
    </system.webServer>
    </configuration> 

To test, simply type servicemanager into your browser. You should be redirected. 

Monday, July 11, 2011

Changing SCSM Portal Address

Great article on changing the SCSM portal Address
http://memoexp.wordpress.com/2011/03/30/changing-scsm-portal-address/



Ever have a customer request that they want the Self Service Portal to be a specific address, different from the one you’ve initially setup? Well, its not possible to change the URL. However what you can do is set up a CNAME in your DNS to accomplish this goal. Here is how to do it.

1. Go to the DC. Open up DNS under Administrative Tools. Under the DC, expand Forward Lookup Zones, then right click the folder with the domain name, select New Alias (CNAME).
image

2. Under Alias Name, type in the portal URL that you want. Then under target host, drill down and browse to your portal host name, which in my case is SCSM. Click Ok.
image

3. Go to the server which the Portal is installed. Launch IIS Manager, go to the Portal Sites, in my case, SCSMPortal, click onBindings on the right panel.
image

4. Click Add.
image

5. Select Type as httpsIP address as All UnassignedPort as 443. Then select the SSL certificate. Click Ok.
image

6. While highlighting your portal on the left pane, in my case SCSMPortal, Double click HTTP Redirect.
Note! HTTP Redirect is not installed by default for IIS7. To install it, go to Server Manager > Roles > Web Server (IIS), look for Add Role Services, you’ll find that you will have the option to install HTTP Redirection.
image

7. Check Redirect requests to this destination. Key in the full address of the Portal Site, click Apply on the right pane. If you’re not sure, its https:// + Full Computer Name + /enduser. So for my case it is https://scsm.systemcenter.local/enduser
(To get your Full Computer Name, Right click My Computer > Properties. You’ll see it there.)
image

8. Browse to the new URL which in my case is https://servicemanager, the portal should launch without problems.

P/s If you’re getting password prompts when using the new URL, then highlight the portal on the left pane, and double click onAuthentication. Select Basic Authentication and click on Enable on the right pane. Try using the new URL again, you shouldn’t get any prompts now.
image

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Data warehouse failure concerns answered

I have been having some concerns for the lack of failover options and documentation for the Service Manager data warehouse. I created a forum post which can be seen at http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/systemcenterservicemanager/thread/1479d2c4-25eb-4aaf-bd0d-9f95618d1a4a/.


If the DW goes down, Service Manager will continue grooming old work items but changes to existing or the creation of new work items won't be copied to the DW. The grooming job will delete any closed work item that has existed for more then your grooming policy setting. (Default settings is 90 days for IR and 365 days for CR and PR).
That means that if your DW goes down on Day 1, it could be down for another 89 days before any incidents created after day 1 will be groomed from your database. And that is if the incidents is closed. When you get your DW back up and running, any work item that was created or changed during the DW downtime will be copied to the DW.
Take a look at this blogpost:http://blogs.technet.com/b/servicemanager/archive/2009/09/18/data-retention-policies-aka-grooming-in-the-servicemanager-database.aspx
Regards//Anders
Anders Asp | Lumagate | www.lumagate.com | Sweden | My blog: www.scsm.se


Monday, June 27, 2011

Attaching Email Screenshots with Service Manager

I am not sure if many people realize this until SCSM is actually installed. But the SCSM out-of-the-box email solution will automatically attach pictures in the body of an email to an incident. I have had people ask me in the past if this is possible, and I would always say, "probably, but it isn't native."

This feature is not available with the Exchange connector, so you might want to use both solutions.