PowerShell Desired State Configuration Goes Cross-Platform

Desired State Configuration (DSC), a feature of Windows PowerShell that sets and maintains configuration state on the Windows Server and client OSs, is refocusing on cross-platform systems management. Like PowerShell, it is moving toward a new PowerShell Core engine that supports platforms other than Windows. The new edition of DSC, called DSC Core, will support both Windows and Linux and a simplified deployment model. Administrators have no need for immediate concern, as DSC in Windows PowerShell will continue to receive support alongside the OSs it is supported on. However, organizations should become familiar with DSC Core, as future enhancements will likely require that edition.

DSC Core and Cross-Platform Focus

DSC Core is a new edition of DSC, based on the .NET Core runtime system, and it uses the new cross-platform edition of PowerShell, PowerShell Core. While DSC Core shares some philosophical goals with PowerShell Core, there are differences.

For example, while PowerShell Core (and the .NET Core it relies on) support Windows, Linux, and macOS, DSC Core will only be provided on Windows and Linux. The omission of macOS is logical, given that macOS has limited applicability in server-based workloads, and the emphasis of DSC is on server management, not client system management. Also, while PowerShell Core and .NET Core are open source projects, Microsoft has not yet decided when or if DSC Core will be open sourced.