Create configurations from existing servers
Applies to: ✔️ Windows PowerShell 5.1
Note
Azure Automation State Configuration will be retired on September 30, 2027, please transition to Azure Machine Configuration by that date. For more information, see the blog post announcement. The Azure Machine Configuration service combines features of DSC Extension, Azure Automation State Configuration, and the most commonly requested features from customer feedback. Azure Machine Configuration also includes hybrid machine support through Arc-enabled servers.
Important
The article refers to a solution that is maintained by the Open Source community. Support is only available in the form of GitHub collaboration, not from Azure.
This article explains how to create configuration from existing servers for an Azure Automation state configuration. Creating configurations from an existing server is a challenging task. You need to know the right settings and the order to apply them to ensure that the configuration is successful.
Community project: ReverseDSC
The ReverseDSC is a community maintained solution created to work in this area beginning with the SharePoint. The solution builds on the SharePointDSC resource and extends it to orchestrate by gathering information from existing servers running SharePoint.
The latest version has multiple extraction modes to determine the level of information to include. The result of using the solution is generating Configuration Data that must be used with SharePointDSC configuration scripts.
Create configuration from existing servers for an Azure Automation state configuration
Use the following steps to create a configuration from existing servers:
- After you generate the data files, use the files with DSC Configuration scripts to generate MOF files.
- Upload the MOF files to Azure Automation.
- To pull the configurations, register your servers from either on-premises or in Azure.
For more information on ReverseDSC, visit the PowerShell Gallery and download the solution or select Project Site to view the documentation.
Next steps
- To understand PowerShell DSC, see Windows PowerShell Desired State Configuration overview.
- To find PowerShell DSC resources, see DSC Resources.
- For details of Local Configuration Manager configuration, see Configuring the Local Configuration Manager.