AD Bulk User Creation Utility with extras?

[gshaw]

I know this pops up quite a bit but might have a slight twist for us so here goes...

 

Basically all our students are part-time and until now we've been OK with a shared area and machine-based logins. However time has caught up and getting some more "inquisitive :rolleyes:" students means it's probably time to implement logins. Also with VLE finally making strides I'd like to be using the LDAP authentication to keep everything tidy.

 

So basically what I need a bit of software to do is...

 

- take a CSV-exported list from our MIS software that has the following info firstname, lastname, studentID

 

- automatically create a username by combining the firstname and lastname e.g. joe.bloggs

 

- automatically handle any duplicates e.g. adding a number on the end etc and notifying of these at the end

 

- set the password as the student ID, never expire, cannot be changed

 

- set group membership

 

- set mandatory profile path

 

Anyone know of such software that fits the bill? So far I've looked at the Wisesoft speadsheet (nice but CSV import seems to be a pain, PowerShell cmdlets (got 1/2 way there then got stuck with the duplicates and also profile path setting) and a few others that seemed to do 1/2 the job...

 

Info much appreciated as always

Edited June 9, 2009 by gshaw

[jamesb]

VBScript can do all of this quite happily.

 

Hey Scripting Guy! How Can I Create Users from a CSV File?

 

A bit of string parsing, and adding some statements to assign variables to the right attributes on each user and you're done.

[plexer]

We use ad bulk import from Active Directory Tools, Active Directory Software

 

Ben

[gshaw]

VBScript can do all of this quite happily.

 

Hey Scripting Guy! How Can I Create Users from a CSV File?

 

A bit of string parsing, and adding some statements to assign variables to the right attributes on each user and you're done.

 

What about duplicates though? String parsing... sounds a bit too close to programming for me

[jamesb]

Its not that difficult. A few StrLeft commands, and for duplicates just throw in some error checking which adds a number after the username if the script kicks back with 'object already exists'.

 

Edit: Having said that the bulk user creation tool that plexer recommends is probably going to be easier.

Edited June 9, 2009 by jamesb

[Cools]

Im with ben on this..

Active Directory Tools, Active Directory Software

so easy and no farting about..

[Hedghog]

I agree with the others either a VBscript or AD import. Since SIMS tends to output in an excel CSV file I tend to juggle name etc in that (I've got a template that does it) then import the correct data.

 

Cheers

 

Peter

[DAckroyd]

We use ad bulk import from Active Directory Tools, Active Directory Software

 

Ben

 

Is this program worth $99? also is it avalible in UK pricing and if not how do you buy it for the school?

[gshaw]

There's another one I've just been recommended called AD Infinitum, so far quickest and cleanest interface of the ones I've tested... just need to see if it can do the custom passwords now...

 

Edit: none of these so far have been bright enough to auto generate the login or object names... no need for a program if I have to do the hard work in the CSV file... all I want to supply it with is a first name, last name and password then auto generate the rest... am I missing something here

Edited June 9, 2009 by gshaw

[plexer]

Depends on your username format I suppose.

 

Yes the programs should provide you with a customisable template I suppose for the username however stirng editing like that is so easy in excel anyway.

 

Ben

[DAckroyd]

There's another one I've just been recommended called AD Infinitum, so far quickest and cleanest interface of the ones I've tested... just need to see if it can do the custom passwords now...

 

Edit: none of these so far have been bright enough to auto generate the login or object names... no need for a program if I have to do the hard work in the CSV file... all I want to supply it with is a first name, last name and password then auto generate the rest... am I missing something here

 

you can just do a concotonate in one cell and fill down - 2mins work if the file is otherwise prepared

[IrritableTech]

Active User Manager??

 

Active User Manager

 

Its free..

[DAckroyd]

Active User Manager??

 

Active User Manager

 

Its free..

 

I'm pretty sure this is what we have on our current domain but we don't use at the moment - am I being dopy or does this not create the user Dir?

[Cools]

have a look at ...

JustLDAP Bulk Import Sample

[IrritableTech]

I'm pretty sure this is what we have on our current domain but we don't use at the moment - am I being dopy or does this not create the user Dir?

 

If you go into action and preferences, you can change the user defaults. This allows you to create home directories, set permissions, quotas, profile directories, and even create a file structure to set in place.

 

Although I tend to just place \\server\share\%username% in the users home directory field in standard Users and Computers, then it creates the home directory anyway.

 

I'm pretty sure AUM will do everything you want it to. Check the user guide for more clarification.

[gshaw]

you can just do a concotonate in one cell and fill down - 2mins work if the file is otherwise prepared

 

Ye that's the trick I was using before to get firstname.surname for the username field... was hoping the program would save an edit but maybe not

[Stuart_C]

Personally I use the Windows Server command DSAdd. Output form my MIS into excel, bit of messing around (would be easier if I coudl use joe.bloggs for usernames but I'm stuck with the syntax that was here before I started) to get the syntax and copy it into a .bat file and run it. Something similar using "mkdir" to create the home area, "subinacl" to set the security on your home area and job done.

 

All using stuff built into Windows server (or downloadable from Microsoft, I think subinacl is in a toolkit).

[binky]

Im with ben on this..

Active Directory Tools, Active Directory Software

so easy and no farting about..

 

Whoa, just went on this site and i thought I was on OPSoftware, are they affiliated.

[gshaw]

Looks like CSV tweaking is pretty unavoidable then, with the usernames and passwords in the CSV then any of the above should do the trick by the looks of it....

[plexer]

Whoa, just went on this site and i thought I was on OPSoftware, are they affiliated.

 

Nothing to do with OP Software as far as I know.

 

Ben

[sted]

Looks like CSV tweaking is pretty unavoidable then, with the usernames and passwords in the CSV then any of the above should do the trick by the looks of it....

 

you can use excel to do most of the work does everything but duplicate checking for me i litteraly feed in first name last naem and year of entry and it generates usernames/folders/appliesscripts/profiels etc just copy and past the output to a batch file (i cant really post it as someone else at work wrote it ive just been tweaking it) ut in a nutshell it just creates a list of md and dsadd commands

[Gatt]

We use this tool from the chaps over at WiseSoft - Resources for IT Professionals

http://www.wisesoft.co.uk/software/account_management_spreadsheet/default.aspx

 

Simple spreadsheet that uses a DLL and lets you set all the necessary parameters via a nice easy VB function

[gshaw]

Well the magic bullet for creating usernames in my case is

 

=LOWER(CONCATENATE(A1,".",B1))

 

That does the trick in Excel and the free AUM tool seems to do the best job of working with the CSV, no mess no fuss and it does the profile path as well, result

 

Adding to a group would be easy enough through ADUC anyway so near enough sorted this now wahey

 

Just need a "Thank All" button now hehe

[Gatt]

Well the magic bullet for creating usernames in my case is

 

=LOWER(CONCATENATE(A1,".",B1))

 

That does the trick in Excel and the free AUM tool seems to do the best job of working with the CSV, no mess no fuss and it does the profile path as well, result

 

Adding to a group would be easy enough through ADUC anyway so near enough sorted this now wahey

 

My formula is very similar, but with a few nested IF's to create the DNs and CNs (Checks for a middle initial and adds an extra space and cell ref if there is, otherwise a space and the surname)

 

Not got the formula to hand - will try and post it tomorrow

[gshaw]

AUM creates the display names and SAMaccountname fields automatically as well so one less bit of work there

 

Only manual work is the add to group operation but it's one right click then some typing and a left click so can't be too picky