Squadron Diagnostics Add-in

In this article we can explore a new Add-in integrated into Squadron.

Note: Squadron is a Free SharePoint Administration tool available at www.sharepointcto.com.



What is Diagnostics?

Diagnostics allow you to perform validations periodically. For example: Site Administrators run the following reports on a monthly basis:

• Site Collection Size Information
• Permissions are set for Groups
• No obsolete workflows exists
• No obsolete alerts exists
• No dead accounts are in use

Etc.

How to view the Diagnostics Screen?

After installing Squadron, you can execute it from the Start Menu & click the Diagnostics item on the left side. Please ensure you entered the site URL correctly.



I am explaining each of the visible Diagnostics items.

Dead Accounts

Dead Accounts are those with Active Directory Disabled Status. Periodically we might need to remove the dead accounts from SharePoint Permission Associations.

You can click the Execute button against the Dead Accounts row to start the check.



If no problems are found then the bar will be green. You can click the Details link for viewing additional information. Using the Details screen we can manually locate the items & fix the problems.

Dead Alerts

Dead Alerts are those Alerts created by users & the users do not exist or have been disabled. We can find the alerts through the Dead Alerts diagnostics item.

You can click the "Execute" button against the Dead Alerts row to start the check.



If no problems are found then the bar will be green. You can click the Details link for viewing additional information. Using the Details screen we can manually locate the items & fix the problems.

Direct Permissions

Microsoft recommends Permissions to be assigned to SharePoint Groups instead of directly assigning them to users. Groups enable more manageability, reusability & ease of clarity. We can find Direct Permission items through this diagnostic item.

You can click the Execute button against the Direct Permissions row to start the check.



If no problems are found then the bar will be green. You can click the Details link for viewing additional information. Using the Details screen we can manually locate the items & fix the problems.

In the preceding case it is red and clicking the Details link, you will see the problem locations.



This concludes our overview of Squadron > Diagnostics.

References

http://www.sharepointcto.com/Squadron

Summary

In this article we have explored the Diagnostics Add-in of Squadron. Diagnostics are essentials to be executed on a periodic basis like every month. For SharePoint Governance enabled organizations, the need for more Diagnostics tools exists.

In the future I hope to see more functionality integrated into the Diagnostics add-in. You can also provide inputs on your Diagnostics requirement.