The artwork was generated by DALL·E 2
Introduction
This series aims to enhance your ability to manage your Google Workspace environment effectively and automate tasks traditionally performed manually via the Google Workspace Admin Console.
Understanding GAM (Google App Manager)
GAM, short for Google App Manager, is a command-line interface (CLI) tool designed for administrators to control various aspects of their Google Workspace (formerly G Suite) setups.
It’s important to note that GAM is suited for paid (or Education/non-profit) editions of Google Workspace. Google Workspace Enterprise or Enterprise Plus editions are recommended for accessing GAM’s full capabilities.
Installing GAM
Focusing on the Original GAM version developed by the GAM team and the highly recommended GAMADV-XTD3 (GAM Advanced) edition, you can easily install GAM on macOS and Linux by executing a simple command in the Terminal: bash <(curl -s -S -L https://gam-shortn.appspot.com/gam-install). This command fetches and installs the latest version of GAM, prompting you for some setup questions along the way.
I highly recommend reading the installation guide and follow through to completion. Note: Admin or Super Admin access to Google Cloud with appropriate permissions or being a Site Owner is necessary to proceed.
Practical Examples
The following examples demonstrate various GAM commands for managing users, auditing, and more, using “example.com” as the domain:
5. Add User to Group
- Description: Incorporates an existing user into a group within your domain.
- Command Example:
gam update group managers@example.com add member jane.doe@example.com
6. Remove User from Group
- Description: Extracts a user from a specified group, restricting their access.
- Command Example:
gam update group managers@example.com remove member john.doe@example.com
7. Suspend a User
- Description: Temporarily disables a user’s account, barring access to Google Workspace services.
- Command Example:
gam update user jane.doe@example.com suspended on
8. Reactivate a User
- Description: Reinstates a previously suspended user’s account.
- Command Example:
gam update user jane.doe@example.com suspended off
9. Delegate Email Access
- Description: Allows one user to manage another’s email without sharing credentials.
- Command Example:
gam user jane.doe@example.com delegate to john.doe@example.com
10. Revoke Email Delegation
- Description: Withdraws email delegation rights.
- Command Example:
gam user jane.doe@example.com delete delegate john.doe@example.com
11. Creates an Email Alias
- Description: Creates an additional email address for a user.
- Command Example:
gam create alias j.doe@example.com user jane.doe@example.com
12. Removes an Email Alias
- Description: Removes a user’s email alias.
- Command Example:
gam delete alias j.doe@example.com
13. Export User Data
- Description: Initiates a user data export for archival or compliance.
- Command Example:
gam create datatransfer jane.doe@example.com gdrive export
14. Modify User Password
- Description: Updates a user’s password to maintain account security.
- Command Example:
gam update user jane.doe@example.com password "newSecurePassword123"
Note: Secure your terminal history as it may contain sensitive information. Always use strong, randomly generated passwords.
15. User Activity Audit
- Description: Generates a report on user activity for auditing and compliance.
- Command Example:
gam report user jane.doe@example.com
Discovering GAMADV-XTD3: An Advanced Edition
GAMADV-XTD3 introduces enhanced capabilities not found in the standard edition, offering advanced features for in-depth Google Workspace management.
Examples Showcasing the Capabilities of GAMADV-XTD3
Batch Update User Information
- Efficiently updates multiple users’ details in one command.
Advanced Email Routing
- Configures sophisticated email routing rules to direct email flow based on various criteria.
Comprehensive Audit Reports
- Generates detailed audit reports for security and compliance, covering a broader range of activities and data points.
Over the upcoming weeks, I’ll be sharing more article about GAMADV-XTD3. Use the tags below to get these articles easily:
Cheers!