Pre-staging computers to Active Directory (AD) with Powershell

This guide describes the recommended method for creating computer accounts in Campus Active Directory (CAD) using the CALS ADTools PowerShell module. This process ensures accounts are created with the correct attributes and placement within the CALS hierarchy.

Prerequisites

To perform these steps, you must satisfy the following conditions:

• Permissions: Actions must be executed using a CALS T2 account.
• Environment: Use a CALS IT Jump Server (recommended) to skip all installation steps.
• Tools (Workstation only): If not using a Jump Server, you must have RSAT: Active Directory Domain Services and the CALS ADTools module installed.

1. Workstation Setup (Skip if using Jump Server)

If you are working from a local workstation, ensure your environment is prepared: [Link for document 159864 is unavailable at this time]

2. Establish Session Context

If you are not logged into your workstation (or jump server) with your T2 account, start a specific PowerShell session:

1. Open a Command Prompt (cmd.exe).
   
   
   
   
2. Run the following command (replacing with your T2 username):

   runas /netonly /user:yournetid-t2@ad.wisc.edu pwsh

   Note: Use powershell instead of pwsh if PowerShell 7 is not installed.
   
   

3. Add the Computer Account

1. In your T2 PowerShell session, import the module:

   Import-Module CALS-ADTools

2. Execute the creation command:

   New-CALSComputer

3. Follow the interactive prompts:
   • Computer Name: Enter the name (e.g., CALSWK-123456).
   • Tier: Select the Tier (Default is 2).
   • Unit: Select the number corresponding to the target Unit.
     
     
     
     

Verification: The computer account is created automatically in the Devices OU within your selected Unit.

Alternative: Single-Line Execution

For advanced users, the command can be executed with all parameters defined:

New-CALSComputer -ComputerName CALSWK-123456 -UnitCode AAE -Description 'Hardware Refresh 2024' -Tier 2