What do you use for Bulk accounts creation in Active Directory?

[brat02]

Hi all,

 

we've got to create 500-600 new student accounts each year, we have been using different tools,

what do you guys use for bulk accounts creation in Active Directory in your work place?

 

Thanks in advance for all replies

[FN-GM]

Salamandersoft creates and modified AD accounts based on the MIS information.

 

If I ever do anything manually (hardly ever) - I use this, it is incredibly easy to use! - Account Management Spreadsheet

[mowgli82]

this: Dovestones Software Active Directory User Import - AD Bulk Users

[HPlum78]

Use PowerShell no cost and you can 1. connect it to any MIS database that uses an SQL (or indeed any other DB) server or 2. if you do not want to spend the time working out the connection strings and the like .csv file will do the job for you. Plenty of code kicking about to do this and is an opportunity to start getting to grips with PowerShell. I say this all the time PowerShell is your Friend here, I am a big advocate of it and has help me secure a good job off the back of learning it, if you need help I will give you pointer my first one is when asked about how I learnt PS I say get-help and still use this today!

 

H

Edited November 20, 2015 by HPlum78

[Boredguy]

We use PowerShell script to process a SIMS report that is exported daily.

It checks the report against our AD, and compiles a list of any new accounts that need to be created.

It then creates the user in AD, creates the home drive on the correct server and then e-mails the students tutor with their login details ready for the start of day.

 

We use a variation of the same script that checks a different CSV file for when we want to create any additional user accounts (such as Controlled Assessment Accounts, Staff etc) but it does the same processes.

[Ant]

Salamandersoft creates and modified AD accounts based on the MIS information.

 

If I ever do anything manually (hardly ever) - I use this, it is incredibly easy to use! - Account Management Spreadsheet

 

Same here, it's great! Been using this spreadsheet since I can remember.

[Marshall_IT]

SalamanderSoft,it does so much more too.

[SHimmer45]

+1 for powershell

 

tho i will admit i pinched the code off the internet but i understand how it works, REALLY should learn some more of the administration and management CMDLETs work (wonder if there is a book specific to this)

 

i think core / nano server versions could be very useful for those wanting storage boxes and things like that without the need to use linux

Edited November 20, 2015 by SHimmer45

[Oaktech]

Active user manager here. Looks a bit dated, but work well enough to do the 150ish I have to do each year.

 

See here: http://www.edugeek.net/forums/how-do-you-do/10680-active-directory-single-bulk-user-creation-free-2.html

 

Free gratis and for nothing!

[Garacesh]

We export the data from SIMS for our new users and I wrote a powershell script that creates the account, assigns homedrive/email address/etc, sets the account to disable in 5 years (in 62 months: 5 years and 2 months to be precise) and gives them full control of their home folders. Edited November 20, 2015 by Garacesh

[ITGURU]

Each year for our new intake I just do it manually 260 user accounts - doesn't take long as at all just to copy a user account template (that creates their home directory with all relevant permissions and user groups anyway) then run a powershell script to bulk create the email boxes. Job done.

 

Be different if doing bulk accounts monthly but have a set process each year which incorporates the above.

[Michael]

Active User Manager here too

[Duke5A]

Wrote my own .Net app that parses exports from our SIS. It'll take care of creation, home folder and a bunch of other oddities that need to be done.

[ass17]

Sims export to csv, then we VB script it.

[halbaradkenafin]

Script it in some way, I'd highly suggest Powershell because it's so easy to do and you'll be able to do a huge amount of other things once you've started learning the basics of Powershell.

[mikeyd101]

I have my own powershell script to renew yearly accounts or create new ones if they don't exist.

 

Im still working to get all our students in AD to have a unique id so that i can cross check the same student in MIS as in AD. I'm also working to automate it further by doing daily check on MIS database and find new students. We also have an AUP (acceptable use policy) they we have to have a signed form before processing so my spreadsheet looks after that. But our region centre are not responding to my queries.

[nullensc]

Export from sims > import csv into Burconix > relax.

 

BCX can link direct to MIS but I haven't tried it yet, otherwise the process would be more or less automatic (if I read the tech docs correctly)

[sparkeh]

this: Dovestones Software Active Directory User Import - AD Bulk Users

 

Me too, it's great.

The AD find and replace is extremely handy too.

[ajg]

Have used BCX tools from Burconix for years which makes new bulk user imports a doddle. Now integrates with Sims so no more csv imports either. Does lots more too and they have just released there office 365 integration which does all the scripting for you for creating new users/assigning licences etc.

[Davit2005]

Used to use Dovestones but now we use PowerShell scripts.

 

We have Students just being created but for staff we do creation, modification (OU, Manager, Job Title and Groups) and disable/leaving. Being a College with 600 odd staff this saves quite a bit of Admin.

 

I'd highly recommend DoveStones from my experience, it's just we a bit more control.

[brat02]

thanks for all your replies guys, I'll be looking through the list soon and let you know if I have any more questions