Readme.txt

SwitchPortActivity - A PowerShell Script to track Cisco switch port activity over time on MS Excel

         File Name : SwitchPortActivity.ps1
   Original Author : Kenneth C. Mazie (kcmjr AT kcmjr.com)
                   : 
       Description : Tracks switch port status over time using MS Excel.  This is primarily 
                   : intended for cases where your techs don't pull down x-connect jumpers in
                   : IT closets after removing equipment.  The resulting spreadsheet gives you 
                   : an idea of which ports have been abandoned.  The script was designed to 
                   : access and parse Cisco switches.
                   : 
             Notes : Normal operation is with no command line options.  If pre-stored credentials 
                   : are desired use this: https://www.powershellgallery.com/packages/CredentialsWithKey/1.10
                   : Spreadsheet can be generated via a flat list of IP addresses or pulled from a master
                   : copy.  The first column contains the list of IP addresses OR the "Switches" tab from a 
                   : master inventory.  Each IP gets a dedicated worksheet labeled with the IP.  Column A 
                   : is the port ID.  Cell "A1" is a ROUGH total port count.  The top row is the date.
                   : The spreadsheet is color coded for readability:
                   : - If a port at any time registers as connected the "A" colum gets high-lighted.
                   : - Connected ports are red.
                   : - Not-connected ports are green (OK to unplug).
                   : - A connection change is flagged in bold violet
                   : - Disabled ports are tagged blue
                   :
      Requirements : Plink.exe must be available in your path or the full path must be included in the 
                   : commandline(s) below.  2 versions are used in case of version issues.  These are located
                   : in the same folder and named according to version (see line 136 below). Excel must be 
                   : available on the local PC.  SSH Keys can already be stored on the local PC through the
                   : prior use of PuTTY or the script will add them.
                   : 
   Option Switches : $Console - If Set to $true will display status during run (Defaults to $True)
                   : $Debug - If set to $true adds extra output on screen.  Forces console option to "true" (Defaults to $false)
                   : $SafeUpdate - If set to $True backs up spreadsheet prior to updating.  Keeps 10 copies.
                   :
          Warnings : Excel is set to be visible (can be changed) so don't mess with Excel while the script is 
                   : running or it can crash.  I.e. Don't click in spreadsheet while running or the script will crash.
                   :   
             Legal : Public Domain. Modify and redistribute freely. No rights reserved.
                   : SCRIPT PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR GUARANTEES OF 
                   : ANY KIND. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK. NO TECHNICAL SUPPORT PROVIDED.
                   : That being said, feel free to ask if you have questions...
                   :
           Credits : Code snippets and/or ideas came from many sources including but 
                   : not limited to the following:
                   : 
    Last Update by : Kenneth C. Mazie                                           
   Version History : v1.00 - 04-16-23 - Original 
    Change History : v1.10 - 05-18-23 - Adjusted coding for disabled ports when the description contains "bad".
                   : v1.20 - 09-20-23 - Added ability to store PuTTY SSH keys automatically for new targets.