Question

How do I run a windows command in powershell with parameters that include hyphens - having problems, specifically with WBADMIN

Asked by: tomfogarty

I'm trying to run WBADMIN via a PS script. I'm generating the commandline with variables. The script is designed to perform a backup (obviously as a scheduled task every night) to a different location which is created depending on the date and time that the script is called. Code below.

When I run this as a script "powershell -command .\backup.ps1" I get the following error from WBADMIN:

"ERROR - The value for option: backuptarget is missing. See usage below."

The problem I'm having is that the parameters for WBADMIN require "-" which it seems to me is throwing the call to WBADMIN from powershell.

I've tried a lot of things to ascerrtain what exactly is causing the problem. I'm certain it's the hyphens (obviously because they form a vital part of PS syntax). Is there a built in way around this or can anybody recommeny anything or is it something really stupid I'm doing wrong.

Thanks.
Tom.


$date=$(Get-Date f o)
$date=$date.SubString(0,$date.IndexOf("."))
$date=$date -replace "/", "-"
$date=$date -replace "T", " "
$date=$date -replace ":", "."
$destpath = "Full Backup On $date"
$storagepath=new-item -path \\nas\backups -name $destpath -type directory
$commandline="wbadmin.exe"
$params="start backup -backuptarget:""$storagepath"" -include:C:,D: -VSSFull"
$exec = "$commandline $params"
invoke-expression $exec

                                  
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Asked On
2008-10-14 at 02:08:39ID23812063
Tags

Microsoft

,

Windows Server

,

2008

,

WBADMIN

Topics

Powershell

,

Microsoft Operating Systems

,

Windows Server 2008

Participating Experts
2
Points
500
Comments
6

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Answers

 

by: xfreddiePosted on 2008-10-14 at 02:28:35ID: 22709722

I think you need to use an escape character see eg. http://www.leedesmond.com/weblog/?p=35

Also a simmular question has been answered here : http://www.eggheadcafe.com/software/aspnet/30491887/escape-character-question.aspx

hope it helps.
Gr,
Xfreddie

 

by: tomfogartyPosted on 2008-10-14 at 03:44:45ID: 22710076

Hi xfreddie,

I'm beginning to get places based on the egghead link. The solution lies in a mixture of backticks and curly braces.

This is the line of code that seems to get over the problem with the hyphens:
$params={start backup `-backuptarget:"$storagepath" `-include:C:,D: `-VSSFull}

When I run the script now I get the following error from WBADMIN:
ERROR - Command syntax incorrect. Error: D:. See usage below.

At least it seems to have moved past the hyphen problem. For some reason it doesn't seem to like the C:,D: piece - if I take out the ,D: it works in the script. If I pass the following command in a DOS prompt it works WBADMIN is happy with it and offers with a prompt to proceed with the backup:
wbadmin start backup -backuptarget:"\\nas\backup On 2008-10-13 20.18.39" -include:C:,D: -VSSFULL

Could there be some problem with the "," after C: - unlikely?

Tom.

 

by: BSonPoshPosted on 2008-10-14 at 05:32:54ID: 22710653

Change This
$params="start backup -backuptarget:""$storagepath"" -include:C:,D: -VSSFull"

To This
$params="start backup -backuptarget:`"$storagepath`" -include:C:,D: -VSSFull"

 

by: tomfogartyPosted on 2008-10-14 at 11:40:40ID: 22714425

Sorry BsonPosh - this doesn't work. Gives me the same as the previous error.

"ERROR - The value for option: backuptarget is missing. See usage below."

The curly braces seem to be a requirement.
$params={start backup `-backuptarget:"$storagepath" `-include:C:,D: `-VSSFull}

Just need to find out what's going on with the "C:,D:" piece.

Tom.

 

by: tomfogartyPosted on 2008-10-14 at 11:52:10ID: 31505806

Thanks guys - giving most of the points to xfreddie since his solution pointed me in the right direction. The other solution made me think a bit further!

 

by: tomfogartyPosted on 2008-10-14 at 11:54:12ID: 22714680

Final solution was to add quotes on -include parameter. Full code snippet attached (less debug code). Points assigned.

Thanks for your help!

Tom.

$date=$(Get-Date f o)
$date=$date.SubString(0,$date.IndexOf("."))
$date=$date -replace "/", "-"
$date=$date -replace "T", " "
$date=$date -replace ":", "."
$destpath = "Full Backup On $date"
$storagepath=new-item -path \\techpartnas\backups -name $destpath -type directory
$commandline="wbadmin.exe"
$params={start backup `-backuptarget:"$storagepath" `-include:"C:,D:" `-VSSFull}
$exec = "$commandline $params"
Invoke-Expression $exec
                                              
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