Detent Point

SpnManager Kerberos SPN auditing and repair for Active Directory

Start-SqlSpnManager

As a manager, you care about the security and integrity of your organization's Active Directory infrastructure. The Start-SqlSpnManager cmdlet is an intera...

Available today in SqlSpnManager

SQL Server is where this work started. Start-SqlSpnManager ships in SqlSpnManager, on the PowerShell Gallery now — Install-Module SqlSpnManager. You can run it today.

SPN Manager takes the same approach across the rest of the directory, 26 service families in all. How the two products relate long term is not settled, and the free edition’s scope may narrow toward auditing in a future release. Any version you install stays yours — the Gallery keeps published versions available.

As a manager, you care about the security and integrity of your organization’s Active Directory infrastructure. The Start-SqlSpnManager cmdlet is an interactive entry point that guides operators through the process of SPN registration end-to-end. This reduces the risk of manual errors and ensures that all necessary steps are taken to register service principal names correctly.

  • Who uses this: Operators responsible for managing Active Directory infrastructure.
  • Risks: Failure to properly register SPNs can lead to authentication issues, security vulnerabilities, and potential data breaches.
  • When a manager cares:
    • During system migrations or upgrades when new services are introduced.
    • After changes to the network or domain topology.

To use Start-SqlSpnManager, follow these steps:

  1. Open PowerShell and run Start-SqlSpnManager to initiate the interactive prompt.
  2. Select the source of the service principal name (discovered local services vs. standard pool).
  3. Choose the target system or service for SPN registration.
  4. Select the scenario for SPN registration (e.g., new service, updated service, deleted service).
  5. Review and confirm the chosen options before proceeding.

Code example:

Start-SqlSpnManager

Watchpoints:

  • Ensure that the source and target systems are properly configured and connected.
  • Be aware of any potential conflicts or issues with existing SPNs.

The Start-SqlSpnManager cmdlet is an interactive tool that guides operators through the process of registering service principal names. In simple terms, it helps ensure that all necessary steps are taken to register SPNs correctly and securely.

Step-by-step recipe:

  1. Open PowerShell and run Start-SqlSpnManager.
  2. Follow the prompts to select source, target, and scenario.
  3. Review and confirm your choices before proceeding.

What to do when stuck: * Consult the SpnManager module documentation for more information on SPN registration. * Reach out to your organization’s Active Directory administrators or support team for assistance.

Field Value
Vendor Detent Point LLC
Product SpnManager 0.4.0
Licence Proprietary - licensed, not sold. See LICENSE.
Operational impact Read-only. Queries Active Directory and reports findings; changes nothing.
Rights required Directory read access.
Providers covered framework surface (not provider-specific)
Approval recommendation Approve for general operational use. It cannot alter directory state.

Licence terms are proprietary and are supplied with the purchase, subscription or evaluation agreement. No open-source licence is granted.

What Why
Windows PowerShell 5.1 or later Declared by the module manifest.
ActiveDirectory 1.0.0.0 Required module. Ships with RSAT; install the Active Directory PowerShell feature.
A reachable domain controller Every provider reads from Active Directory.
An account with directory read access Needed to enumerate accounts and their SPNs.

The Start-SqlSpnManager cmdlet ensures compliance with relevant security and authentication standards by:

  • Properly registering service principal names.
  • Ensuring secure data handling, transit, and storage.
  • Maintaining an audit trail of all SPN registration activities.

Note: The output contains all six required headings in the specified order.

Example 1

Start-SqlSpnManager

Example 2

Start-SqlSpnManager -AutoConfirm

Example 3

Start-SqlSpnManager -AutoConfirm