Configuring Applications Settings with Desired State Configuration

Question

I'm trying to find the proper way to configure an application using Desired State Configuration.

For example, Microsoft Deployment Agent. The installation is easy using the Package resource. When you run it for the first time it prompts you for user information and a URL. This is where I need help; I want to add these settings to my DSC script.

I can tell that the information is saved in the registry, so it would be possible to use a Registry resource, but that seems fragile. And even then, the password is not saved in that location.

Is there a better way to do this? I feel like I am on the right track, but at the same time figuring out where applications store their settings seems very tedious and hard to get right.

Answer 1

I recommend that you create a custom DSC resource for updating the application configuration. For example, the Deployment agent might have a commandline tool or API to update the settings. You can wrap that functionality in your own custom DSC resource. There is a article on Technet that describes building custom DSC resources.

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn249927.aspx