Script to install CrowdStrike Sensor and VMware App Volumes snapvol.cfg exclusions for CrowdStrike Sensor

20 Aug

If you are planning to deploy CrowdStrike Sensor (CS Sensor) within your virtual desktop (Windows 10) or server operating(Remote Desktop – Windows Server 2016), then continue reading. In this post, we will take a look into the following topics:

  • Scripted silent install of CrowdStrike Sensor
  • Process exclusions for VMware App Volumes – Writable Volumes (snapvol.cfg)

Script to install CrowdStrike Sensor

Pre-requisites:

  • Based on your requirements, a complete range of silent switches can be found here – How to Install CrowdStrike Falcon Sensor | Dell US
  • Create a folder called C:\Temp\Sensor and place all the CS Sensor EXE within this folder.
  • Make sure to read the installer log files after the install is completed.
  • We use the proxy details as the virtual machines don’t have direct internet access.
  • Look for the exit code = 0 = success
#############################################################################################
# Install Crowd Strike Sensor to the Golden Image on Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016/2019
# Look for Exit Code 0 = Success
# Comment or Un-comment the Agent that does not apply to your environment
# Author - Aresh Sarkari - https://twitter.com/askaresh
#############################################################################################

###################################################################
#                    Declare Variables                            #
###################################################################

#Sensor Names
$CSSensorName = "WindowsSen*"

#The sensor installer Location
$TempInstallPath = "C:\Temp\Sensor"

#Log Files location
$CSSensorlogFile = "C:\Temp\Sensor\CSSensor.log"

###################################################################
#                    EXE Arguments Arrary for CS Sensor           #
###################################################################
# Modify any Installer switches related to the sensor here.
# Dell Article covering all silent switches 
# https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000126124/how-to-install-crowdstrike-falcon-sensor
# Proxy switches if your endpoints dont have direct Internet Access
# Log Files w.r.t to installation is generated in C:\Temp\*

# Crowd Strike Sensor Arguments
$CSArguments = @(
    "/install"
    "/quiet"
    "/norestart"
    "CID=YOUDIDGUIDWILLGOHERE-EG"
    "ProvToken=YOURTOKENNUMBER"
    "GROUPING_TAGS=TAG1,TAG_VDI"
    "ProvWaitTime=3600000"
    "APP_PROXYNAME=proxy.whateverproxy.com"
    "APP_PROXYPORT=80"
    "VDI=1"
	"/log"
    $CSSensorlogFile
)

###################################################################
#                    Main                                        #
###################################################################

# Install Crowd Strike Sensor
Write-Host "Installing the Crowd Strike Sensor" -ForegroundColor Green
$CSSensorPath = (Get-ChildItem -Path $TempInstallPath | Where-Object {$_.name -like $CSSensorName}).Fullname
$CSSensorInstall = (Start-Process -Filepath $CSSensorPath -Wait -ArgumentList "$CSArguments" -PassThru)
$CSSensorInstall.ExitCode

Start-Sleep 20

Git Hub scripts/CSSensor-Install at master · askaresh/scripts (github.com)

Process exclusions for VMware App Volumes

It is advisable you add the CrowdStrike process exclusions within the VMware App Volumes – Writable Volumes templates on snapvol.cfg. Here is the detailed guidance on how to modify the snapvold.cfg – Using the VMware App Volumes snapvol.cfg File to Customize Writable Volumes | VMware End-User Computing Blog. These two processes are visible within the Task Manager.

#Crowdstrike Exclusions
exclude_process_name=CSFalconService.exe
exclude_process_name=CSFalconContainer.exe

A big thanks to Jishan for the numerous testing cycles! I hope you will find this script and exclusions useful to install the CrowsStrike Sensor. A small request if you further enhance the script or exclusions, I hope you can share it back with me?

Thanks,
Aresh Sarkari

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