The Problem with PSD and MDT Database Queries

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 55 views

Introduction

As you begin to set up a working PowerShell Desired State Configuration (PSD) deployment in your environment, you may encounter a common challenge: accessing data from the Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) database. Unfortunately, this functionality is not available in PSD, leading many to explore alternative solutions, such as using RestAPI calls. In this article, we will delve into the world of RestAPI calls and explore how to integrate them into your PSD deployment using a custom extension.

The Problem with PSD and MDT Database Queries

When working with PSD, you may find yourself in need of accessing data from the MDT database, just like you would with MDT's database queries. However, as PSD does not support this functionality natively, you are left with limited options. This is where RestAPI calls come into play, offering a potential solution to this problem.

Understanding RestAPI Calls in PSD

RestAPI calls are a powerful tool for accessing data from external sources, and in the context of PSD, they can be used to retrieve data from a RestAPI server. However, to use RestAPI calls in PSD, you need to create a custom extension that can handle these calls. This is where the PSDRestApi module comes in, a custom extension that allows you to add RestAPI calls to your CustomSettings.ini file, just like MDT did with its database queries.

Creating a Custom Extension for PSD

To create a custom extension for PSD, you will need to write a PowerShell script that can handle RestAPI calls. This script will be responsible for querying the RestAPI server and retrieving the necessary data. In this case, the script will be used to query an existing MDT database, but as we will see later, this approach has its limitations.

The Limitations of Querying an Existing MDT Database

When exploring the VBS scripts from MDT, you may find yourself struggling to understand the database queries used to retrieve data. As a result, you may decide to create a whole new "backend" based on JSON files, rather than querying an existing MDT database. This approach offers several advantages, including improved flexibility and easier configuration management.

Creating a JSON-Based Backend

To create a JSON-based backend, you will need to design a data structure that can store the necessary information. This data structure will be used to store the data retrieved from the RestAPI server, making it easier to access and manipulate the data. In this case, the JSON file will be used to store the data retrieved from the RestAPI server, making it easier to access and manipulate the data.

Documentation and Usage

To ensure that others can easily use and understand the PSDRestApi module, it is essential to provide comprehensive documentation. This documentation should include information on how to include and use the scripts on both the client and server sides. By providing clear and concise documentation, you can ensure that others can easily integrate the PSDRestApi module into their PSD deployments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, using RestAPI calls in PSD can be a powerful tool for accessing data from external sources. By creating a custom extension, such as the PSDRestApi module, you can add RestAPI calls to your CustomSettings.ini file, just like MDT did with its database queries. However, to use RestAPI calls effectively, you need to create a custom extension that can handle these calls, and design a data structure that can store the necessary information. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create a custom extension for PSD and integrate RestAPI calls into your PSD deployment.

Getting Started with PSDRestApi

To get started with the PSDRestApi module, you can download the module from the GitHub repository:

https://github.com/daooze/PSDRestApi

Example Use Cases

Here are a few example use cases for the PSDRestApi module:

Querying an existing MDT database: You can use the PSDRestApi module to query an existing MDT database and retrieve the necessary data.
Creating a JSON-based backend: You can use the PSDRestApi module to create a JSON-based backend and store the data retrieved from the RestAPI server.
Integrating with other tools: You can use the PSDRestApi module to integrate with other tools and services, such as Azure Active Directory or Microsoft Intune.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues while using the PSDRestApi module, you can refer to the following troubleshooting guide:

Check the RestAPI server: Ensure that the RestAPI server is running and configured correctly.
Check the JSON file: Ensure that the JSON file is correctly formatted and contains the necessary data.
Check the CustomSettings.ini file: Ensure that the CustomSettings.ini file is correctly formatted and contains the necessary information.

Conclusion

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the world of RestAPI calls and how to integrate them into your PowerShell Desired State Configuration (PSD) deployment using a custom extension. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about using RestAPI calls in PSD.

Q: What is the PSDRestApi module?

A: The PSDRestApi module is a custom extension for PSD that allows you to add RestAPI calls to your CustomSettings.ini file, just like Microsoft Deployment Toolkit (MDT) did with its database queries.

Q: How do I use the PSDRestApi module?

A: To use the PSDRestApi module, you need to download the module from the GitHub repository and follow the instructions in the documentation to include and use the scripts on both the client and server sides.

Q: What are the benefits of using RestAPI calls in PSD?

A: The benefits of using RestAPI calls in PSD include:

Improved flexibility: RestAPI calls allow you to access data from external sources, making it easier to integrate with other tools and services.
Easier configuration management: RestAPI calls make it easier to manage configuration files, as you can store the data in a JSON file and retrieve it using the RestAPI server.
Improved scalability: RestAPI calls make it easier to scale your PSD deployment, as you can access data from multiple sources and integrate with other tools and services.

Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with the PSDRestApi module?

A: To troubleshoot issues with the PSDRestApi module, you can refer to the following troubleshooting guide:

Check the RestAPI server: Ensure that the RestAPI server is running and configured correctly.
Check the JSON file: Ensure that the JSON file is correctly formatted and contains the necessary data.
Check the CustomSettings.ini file: Ensure that the CustomSettings.ini file is correctly formatted and contains the necessary information.

Q: Can I use the PSDRestApi module with other tools and services?

A: Yes, you can use the PSDRestApi module with other tools and services, such as Azure Active Directory or Microsoft Intune. The PSDRestApi module is designed to be flexible and can be integrated with a wide range of tools and services.

Q: How do I secure my RestAPI calls?

A: To secure your RestAPI calls, you can use a variety of methods, including:

Authentication: Use authentication methods, such as username and password or OAuth, to secure your RestAPI calls.
Authorization: Use authorization methods, such as role-based access control, to secure your RestAPI calls.
Encryption: Use encryption methods, such as SSL/TLS, to secure your RestAPI calls.

Q: Can I use the PSDRestApi module with a cloud-based RestAPI server?

A: Yes, you can use the PSDRestApi module with a cloud-based RestAPI server. The PSDRestApi module is designed to be flexible and can be integrated with a wide range of RestAPI servers, including cloud-based servers.

Q: How do I update the PSDRestApi module?

A: To update the PSDRestApi module, you can download the latest version from the GitHub repository and follow the instructions in the documentation to update the module.

Conclusion

In conclusion, using RestAPI calls in PSD can be a powerful tool for accessing data from external sources. By creating a custom extension, such as the PSDRestApi module, you can add RestAPI calls to your CustomSettings.ini file, just like MDT did with its database queries. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can answer some of the most frequently asked questions about using RestAPI calls in PSD and get started with integrating RestAPI calls into your PSD deployment.

Getting Started with PSDRestApi

To get started with the PSDRestApi module, you can download the module from the GitHub repository:

https://github.com/daooze/PSDRestApi

Example Use Cases

Here are a few example use cases for the PSDRestApi module:

Querying an existing MDT database: You can use the PSDRestApi module to query an existing MDT database and retrieve the necessary data.
Creating a JSON-based backend: You can use the PSDRestApi module to create a JSON-based backend and store the data retrieved from the RestAPI server.
Integrating with other tools: You can use the PSDRestApi module to integrate with other tools and services, such as Azure Active Directory or Microsoft Intune.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues while using the PSDRestApi module, you can refer to the following troubleshooting guide:

Check the RestAPI server: Ensure that the RestAPI server is running and configured correctly.
Check the JSON file: Ensure that the JSON file is correctly formatted and contains the necessary data.
Check the CustomSettings.ini file: Ensure that the CustomSettings.ini file is correctly formatted and contains the necessary information.