Display computers in network folder

[pintas]

Hello everyone,

I'm trying to display a list of network computers in an array, but net view command is slow to update its cache (more than 15 minutes!).

Windows Explorer's network folder, on the other hand, is updated instantly. So i was thinking if it is possible to display the computers in Windows Network Folder.

I've search the forum for other alternatives, but couldn't find any.

Do you guys have any idea how to do this?

[Subz]

Are you on a domain?

[Earthshine]

 If you post your code using the code tags  <>   I am sure someone here will help. I would be interested to know why the net command takes so long in the first place so please post your code so we can see what’s going on and we might be able to test

[pintas]

1 hour ago, Subz said:

Are you on a domain?

Yes, i'm on a domain.

 

1 hour ago, Earthshine said:

 If you post your code using the code tags  <>   I am sure someone here will help. I would be interested to know why the net command takes so long in the first place so please post your code so we can see what’s going on and we might be able to test

The net view command displays the result promptly, but if i turn a machine off, it will still be displayed in net view command for more than 15 minutes.

The problem isn't in the code itself but in net view command cache. I'm trying to find an alternative.

I know i can show directories of a folder to display in an array, but i don't have a clue how to do that with a network folder.

Edited April 12, 2018 by pintas

[Subz]

The following will show all computers on the domain, including Name, OS and Service Pack

Requires AD Udf made by Water - https://www.autoitscript.com/forum/files/file/355-ad-active-directory-udf/

#include <Array.au3>
#include <AD.au3>
_AD_Open()
    If @error Then Exit MsgBox(16, "Active Directory Error", "Function _AD_Open encountered a problem. @error = " & @error & ", @extended = " & @extended)
    Local $aObjects = _AD_GetObjectsInOU("", "(objectcategory=computer)", 2, "name,operatingSystem,operatingSystemServicePack")
    If @error > 0 Then
        MsgBox(64, "Active Directory Function - Error", "No OUs could be found")
    Else
        _ArrayDisplay($aObjects, "Active Directory Function - Computer Objects in domain")
    EndIf
_AD_Close()

 

Edited April 12, 2018 by Subz
Forgot to add Array.au3

[pintas]

8 minutes ago, Subz said:

The following will show all computers on the domain, including Name, OS and Service Pack

Requires AD Udf made by Water - https://www.autoitscript.com/forum/files/file/355-ad-active-directory-udf/

#include <Array.au3>
#include <AD.au3>
_AD_Open()
    If @error Then Exit MsgBox(16, "Active Directory Error", "Function _AD_Open encountered a problem. @error = " & @error & ", @extended = " & @extended)
    Local $aObjects = _AD_GetObjectsInOU("", "(objectcategory=computer)", 2, "name,operatingSystem,operatingSystemServicePack")
    If @error > 0 Then
        MsgBox(64, "Active Directory Function - Error", "No OUs could be found")
    Else
        _ArrayDisplay($aObjects, "Active Directory Function - Computer Objects in domain")
    EndIf
_AD_Close()

 

I get the error in the picture.

Should that script be ran from AD server?

[pintas]

I upgraded AutoIt to the latest version and got it working.

However i get every machine on Active Directory, including offline machines. I'm trying to monitor when computers are online/offline.

Is there any filter i can use for online machines in AD? I searched for it, but found only active/inactive filter. 

[benched42]

How about adding code to loop through $aObjects and Ping the computers and if you do not get a reply then remove that row from the array?

[BrewManNH]

I don't think that Active Directory can tell you the online/offline status of a computer, you might be able to find the last time it was logged on, the last logoff time stamp seems to not work very well.

[pintas]

16 hours ago, benched42 said:

How about adding code to loop through $aObjects and Ping the computers and if you do not get a reply then remove that row from the array?

Thanks for replying... I was a little lost but i'm currently trying some 'multiping' solutions i found here on the forum, and it's working so far. Since i need to ping and update a list of 300 computers, i need a fast ping solution... It is still taking a couple of minutes to complete, but it's better than nothing.

I'll try posting the code when its not so messy...

16 hours ago, BrewManNH said:

I don't think that Active Directory can tell you the online/offline status of a computer, you might be able to find the last time it was logged on, the last logoff time stamp seems to not work very well.

Exactly. It doesn't show when a machine is online or not, can't understand why, really.

I listed the machines using something simillar to Subz code above to find what machines are active and inactive in AD and then i ping the active ones.

I'm using the code below to find what machines are active:

(!userAccountControl:1.2.840.113556.1.4.803:=2)

And just removed the '!' to find what computers are inactive in AD:

(userAccountControl:1.2.840.113556.1.4.803:=2)

The result is pretty. Online computers; Offline active computers and Inactive computers.

Edited April 19, 2018 by pintas

[AdamUL]

Have a look at this example.  It may help you.  This show if a user is logged in or not, but it can be edited to just show if a computer is online or offline.  This script also uses a multiple processes approach.  

 

Adam

 

[pintas]

17 hours ago, AdamUL said:

Have a look at this example.  It may help you.  This show if a user is logged in or not, but it can be edited to just show if a computer is online or offline.  This script also uses a multiple processes approach.  

That is really nice.

I'll try to use that.

Thanks Adam!

 

 

[AdamUL]

Your welcome pintas.  I hope it helps.  

 

Adam

 

[pintas]

4 minutes ago, AdamUL said:

Your welcome pintas.  I hope it helps.  

 

Adam

 

It will.

I'm not sure if can get it working now, but i'm going to use it for sure. It's great!