AboutPricingCommunityTeamsStart Free TrialLog in
Avatar of Member_2_8006433
Member_2_8006433
 asked on

Powershell Exchange - help using invoke-command

I am trying make a remote session to Exchange server and then archiving to PST. I am having some trouble figuring how to pass variables to the invoke-command line.


function Show-Menu
{
    param ([string]$Title = 'Menu')
    cls
    Write-Host "================ $Title ================"

    Write-Host ""     
    Write-Host "1: Archive .PST"
    Write-Host "Q: Quit."
}


$ExchangeServer = "server"
$Credential = Get-Credential  -Message "Enter Domain\username"
$SessionParams =
@{
   ConfigurationName = 'Microsoft.Exchange'
   ConnectionURI     = "http://$ExchangeServer/powershell/"
   Authentication    = 'Kerberos'
   Credential = $Credential
}

$Session = New-PSSession @SessionParams


do
{
     Show-Menu
     $input = Read-Host "Chose one"
     switch ($input)
     {
        '1' {
                cls

                $PstPath = "\\server\c$\temp"

                $user = Read-Host "Enter mailbox"
                $date = Read-Host "Enter month/year (m-yyyy)"
                $arrDate = $date.Split('-')
                $firstDayOfMonth = Get-Date -Date "$($arrDate[1])-$($arrDate[0])-1 00:00:00"
                $lastDayOfMonth = $firstDayOfMonth.AddMonths(1).AddDays(-1)


                New-Item $PstPath\$user -type directory -Force

                Invoke-command -ScriptBlock { New-MailboxExportRequest -ContentFilter {(Received -ge $firstDayOfMonth) -and (Received -lt $lastDayOfMonth)} -Mailbox $user -FilePath $PstPath\$user\$date.pst} -Session $Session
                }

        'q' {
                Remove-PSSession $exchange10
                return
            }
     }
     pause
     
}
until ($input -eq 'q')
PowershellExchange
Avatar of undefined
Last Comment
Member_2_8006433
8/22/2022 - Mon
jack jones
Enable PSRemoting Transport Exception
Member_2_8006433
ASKER
Hi Nitz, I am able to remote, but the variable in the scriptBlock is all empty/null, because i don't know how to pass it.
sirbounty
Are you getting any specific error?  What sort of environment is available on the remote machine?  I.e. does it have the exchange modules loaded?
I started with Experts Exchange in 2004 and it's been a mainstay of my professional computing life since. It helped me launch a career as a programmer / Oracle data analyst
William Peck
Member_2_8006433
ASKER
The remote machine does not have exchange modules installed. I want to run the command on the Exchange server (exchange 2010) if possible. Also the remote user running the script, does not have admin rights, so I want to run the command using remote session, with the entered credentials with full privileges.

I am getting this error:
Cannot validate argument on parameter 'Mailbox'. The argument is null. Supply a non-null argument and try the command again.
    + CategoryInfo          : InvalidData: (:) [New-MailboxExportRequest], ParameterBindingValidationException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : ParameterArgumentValidationError,New-MailboxExportRequest
    + PSComputerName        : server
oBdA
A script block knows nothing about the rest of the script. You have to pass it the arguments you want to use, similar to a function.
Difference to a function: the argument list for script blocks is always positional, never "by name" (I've used the same name for the arguments as for the main script, but that isn't a requirement).
Function Show-Menu {
	Param ([string]$Title = 'Menu')
	cls
	Write-Host "================ $Title ================"
	
	Write-Host ""     
	Write-Host "1: Archive .PST"
	Write-Host "Q: Quit."
}

$ExchangeServer = "server"
$Credential = Get-Credential -Message "Enter Domain\username"
$SessionParams = @{
	ConfigurationName	= 'Microsoft.Exchange'
	ConnectionURI		= "http://$ExchangeServer/powershell/"
	Authentication		= 'Kerberos'
	Credential			= $Credential
}
$Session = New-PSSession @SessionParams

Do {
	Show-Menu
	$Input = Read-Host "Choose one"
	Switch ($Input) {
		'1' {
			cls
			$PstPath = "\\server\c$\temp"
			$Mailbox = Read-Host "Enter mailbox"
			New-Item $PstPath\$Mailbox -Type Directory -Force
			$ArchiveDate = Read-Host "Enter month/year (m-yyyy)"
			Invoke-Command -Session $Session -ArgumentList $PstPath, $Mailbox, $ArchiveDate -ScriptBlock {
				Param($PstPath, $Mailbox, $ArchiveDate)
				$Month, $Year = $ArchiveDate.Split('-')
				$FirstDayOfMonth = Get-Date -Date "$($Year)-$($Month)-1 00:00:00"
				$LastDayOfMonth = $FirstDayOfMonth.AddMonths(1).AddDays(-1)
				New-MailboxExportRequest -ContentFilter {(Received -ge $FirstDayOfMonth) -and (Received -le $LastDayOfMonth)} -Mailbox $Mailbox -FilePath $PstPath\$Mailbox\$ArchiveDate.pst
			}
		}
		'q' {
			Remove-PSSession $Session
		}
		default {
			Write-Warning "Unknown choice '$_' - try again."
		}
	}
	pause
} Until ($Input -eq 'q')

Open in new window


Note: when posting code, please put it into [code][]/code] tags (see toolbar above the input field).
Member_2_8006433
ASKER
Oh ye btw.. If I run the Invoke-command without variables, (so i enter mailboxname, date and path myself).. Then it works fine.
⚡ FREE TRIAL OFFER
Try out a week of full access for free.
Find out why thousands trust the EE community with their toughest problems.
Member_2_8006433
ASKER
@oBdA Oh thank you very much! Just what I was looking for :).. I also made it work somehow using "Import-PSSession" without the invoke-command, but then it seems like it creates 2 PSSession. I guess the Invoke-Command would be the correct way to go. Thanks again. I will test it later
Member_2_8006433
ASKER
@oBdA

It seems to work. The PST is archived, but I still get an error message. Seems to be something wrong with the date?  

The term 'Get-Date' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program. Check the spelling of the name, or if a path was included, verify that the path is correct and try again.

    + CategoryInfo          : ObjectNotFound: (Get-Date:String) [], CommandNotFoundException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : CommandNotFoundException
    + PSComputerName        : server
 
You cannot call a method on a null-valued expression.
    + CategoryInfo          : InvalidOperation: (AddMonths:String) [], RuntimeException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : InvokeMethodOnNull
    + PSComputerName        : server

I am doing the same code as you posted:

		'1' {
			cls
			$PstPath = "\\server\c$\temp"
			$Mailbox = Read-Host "Enter mailbox"
			New-Item $PstPath\$Mailbox -Type Directory -Force
			$ArchiveDate = Read-Host "Enter month/year (m-yyyy)"
			Invoke-Command -Session $Session -ArgumentList $PstPath, $Mailbox, $ArchiveDate -ScriptBlock {
				Param($PstPath, $Mailbox, $ArchiveDate)
				$Month, $Year = $ArchiveDate.Split('-')
				$FirstDayOfMonth = Get-Date -Date "$($Year)-$($Month)-1 00:00:00"
				$LastDayOfMonth = $FirstDayOfMonth.AddMonths(1).AddDays(-1)
				New-MailboxExportRequest -ContentFilter {(Received -ge $FirstDayOfMonth) -and (Received -le $LastDayOfMonth)} -Mailbox $Mailbox -FilePath $PstPath\$Mailbox\$ArchiveDate.pst
			}

Open in new window

oBdA
That's rather strange, should not happen, and has nothing to do with the script itself. Get-Date is part of the Microsoft.PowerShell.Utility module and should be loaded automatically.
You can try to explicitly load the module at the beginning of the ScriptBlock:
...
Param($PstPath, $Mailbox, $ArchiveDate)
Import-Module Microsoft.PowerShell.Utility
...

Open in new window

Or you can work your way around it by calculating the date locally and then passing it on to the remote machine:
Function Show-Menu {
	Param ([string]$Title = 'Menu')
	cls
	Write-Host "================ $Title ================"
	
	Write-Host ""     
	Write-Host "1: Archive .PST"
	Write-Host "Q: Quit."
}

$ExchangeServer = "server"
$Credential = Get-Credential -Message "Enter Domain\username"
$SessionParams = @{
	ConfigurationName	= 'Microsoft.Exchange'
	ConnectionURI		= "http://$ExchangeServer/powershell/"
	Authentication		= 'Kerberos'
	Credential			= $Credential
}
$Session = New-PSSession @SessionParams

Do {
	Show-Menu
	$Input = Read-Host "Choose one"
	Switch ($Input) {
		'1' {
			cls
			$PstPath = "\\server\c$\temp"
			$Mailbox = Read-Host "Enter mailbox"
			New-Item $PstPath\$Mailbox -Type Directory -Force
			$ArchiveDate = Read-Host "Enter month/year (m-yyyy)"
			$Month, $Year = $ArchiveDate.Split('-')
			$FirstDayOfMonth = Get-Date -Date "$($Year)-$($Month)-1 00:00:00"
			Invoke-Command -Session $Session -ArgumentList $PstPath, $Mailbox, $ArchiveDate, $FirstDayOfMonth -ScriptBlock {
				Param($PstPath, $Mailbox, $ArchiveDate, $FirstDayOfMonth)
				$LastDayOfMonth = $FirstDayOfMonth.AddMonths(1).AddDays(-1)
				New-MailboxExportRequest -ContentFilter {(Received -ge $FirstDayOfMonth) -and (Received -le $LastDayOfMonth)} -Mailbox $Mailbox -FilePath $PstPath\$Mailbox\$ArchiveDate.pst
			}
		}
		'q' {
			Remove-PSSession $Session
		}
		default {
			Write-Warning "Unknown choice '$_' - try again."
		}
	}
	pause
} Until ($Input -eq 'q')

Open in new window


Actually, you seem not to be the only one with that issue:

intermittent : The term 'get-date' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program.
https://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/ie/en-US/edc4ae2d-b804-4361-94de-7482533a8084/intermittent-the-term-getdate-is-not-recognized-as-the-name-of-a-cmdlet-function-script-file?forum=winserverpowershell

Powershell commands not working in Build Events in Visual Studio
http://stackoverflow.com/questions/28810631/powershell-commands-not-working-in-build-events-in-visual-studio
Experts Exchange has (a) saved my job multiple times, (b) saved me hours, days, and even weeks of work, and often (c) makes me look like a superhero! This place is MAGIC!
Walt Forbes
Member_2_8006433
ASKER
Strange. Now I get this error when going date calculation before scriptblock. So I should convert it to a string or something?:

The provided ContentFilter value is invalid. ContentFilter is invalid. Unable to cast object of type 'System.Management.Automation.PSObject' to type 'System.String'. -->
 Unable to cast object of type 'System.Management.Automation.PSObject' to type 'System.String'.
    + CategoryInfo          : InvalidArgument: ((Received -ge $...LastDayOfMonth):String) [], ContentFilterInvalidPermanentException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : FBF5F982
    + PSComputerName        : server

And when doing import-module I get this error:
The term 'Import-Module' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program. Check the spelling of the name, or if a path was included
, verify that the path is correct and try again.
    + CategoryInfo          : ObjectNotFound: (Import-Module:String) [], CommandNotFoundException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : CommandNotFoundException
    + PSComputerName        : server
 
The term 'Get-Date' is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program. Check the spelling of the name, or if a path was included, verify that the path is correct and try again.
    + CategoryInfo          : ObjectNotFound: (Get-Date:String) [], CommandNotFoundException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : CommandNotFoundException
    + PSComputerName        : server
 
You cannot call a method on a null-valued expression.
    + CategoryInfo          : InvalidOperation: (AddMonths:String) [], RuntimeException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : InvokeMethodOnNull
    + PSComputerName        : server
oBdA
Sorry, can't test this at the moment.
Try it like this:
Function Show-Menu {
	Param ([string]$Title = 'Menu')
	cls
	Write-Host "================ $Title ================"
	
	Write-Host ""     
	Write-Host "1: Archive .PST"
	Write-Host "Q: Quit."
}

$ExchangeServer = "server"
$Credential = Get-Credential -Message "Enter Domain\username"
$SessionParams = @{
	ConfigurationName	= 'Microsoft.Exchange'
	ConnectionURI		= "http://$ExchangeServer/powershell/"
	Authentication		= 'Kerberos'
	Credential			= $Credential
}
$Session = New-PSSession @SessionParams

Do {
	Show-Menu
	$Input = Read-Host "Choose one"
	Switch ($Input) {
		'1' {
			cls
			$PstPath = "\\server\c$\temp"
			$Mailbox = Read-Host "Enter mailbox"
			New-Item $PstPath\$Mailbox -Type Directory -Force
			$ArchiveDate = Read-Host "Enter month/year (m-yyyy)"
			$Month, $Year = $ArchiveDate.Split('-')
			$FirstDayOfMonth = Get-Date -Date "$($Year)-$($Month)-1 00:00:00"
			$LastDayOfMonth = $FirstDayOfMonth.AddMonths(1).AddDays(-1)
			Invoke-Command -Session $Session -ArgumentList $PstPath, $Mailbox, $ArchiveDate, $FirstDayOfMonth, $LastDayOfMonth -ScriptBlock {
				Param($PstPath, $Mailbox, $ArchiveDate, $FirstDayOfMonth, $LastDayOfMonth)
				New-MailboxExportRequest -ContentFilter {(Received -ge $FirstDayOfMonth) -and (Received -le $LastDayOfMonth)} -Mailbox $Mailbox -FilePath $PstPath\$Mailbox\$ArchiveDate.pst
			}
		}
		'q' {
			Remove-PSSession $Session
		}
		default {
			Write-Warning "Unknown choice '$_' - try again."
		}
	}
	pause
} Until ($Input -eq 'q')

Open in new window


And Import-Module is part of Microsoft.PowerShell.Core and really should be there. What's the Windows and Powershell  version ($PSVersionTable) on the Exchange server?
Member_2_8006433
ASKER
Getting this :/

The provided ContentFilter value is invalid. ContentFilter is invalid. Unable to cast object of type 'System.Management.Automation.PSObject' to type 'System.String'. -->
 Unable to cast object of type 'System.Management.Automation.PSObject' to type 'System.String'.
    + CategoryInfo          : InvalidArgument: ((Received -ge $...LastDayOfMonth):String) [], ContentFilterInvalidPermanentException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : FBF5F982
    + PSComputerName        : server

Not sure if I should check on the EMS or powershell, so i did both (running Exchange 2010 on Windows Server 2012):

Exchange EMS
Name                           Value
----                           -----
CLRVersion                     2.0.50727.6421
BuildVersion                   6.1.7600.16385
PSVersion                      2.0
WSManStackVersion              2.0
PSCompatibleVersions           {1.0, 2.0}
SerializationVersion           1.1.0.1
PSRemotingProtocolVersion      2.1

Windows Powershell at server:
Name                           Value
----                           -----
PSVersion                      3.0
WSManStackVersion              3.0
SerializationVersion           1.1.0.1
CLRVersion                     4.0.30319.18449
BuildVersion                   6.2.9200.17065
PSCompatibleVersions           {1.0, 2.0, 3.0}
PSRemotingProtocolVersion      2.2
⚡ FREE TRIAL OFFER
Try out a week of full access for free.
Find out why thousands trust the EE community with their toughest problems.
oBdA
This should work now as far as processing the date on the local machine is concerned:
Function Show-Menu {
	Param ([string]$Title = 'Menu')
	cls
	Write-Host "================ $Title ================"
	
	Write-Host ""     
	Write-Host "1: Archive .PST"
	Write-Host "Q: Quit."
}

$ExchangeServer = "server"
$Credential = Get-Credential -Message "Enter Domain\username"
$SessionParams = @{
	ConfigurationName	= 'Microsoft.Exchange'
	ConnectionURI		= "http://$ExchangeServer/powershell/"
	Authentication		= 'Kerberos'
	Credential			= $Credential
}
$Session = New-PSSession @SessionParams

Do {
	Show-Menu
	$Input = Read-Host "Choose one"
	Switch ($Input) {
		'1' {
			cls
			$PstPath = "\\server\c$\temp"
			$Mailbox = Read-Host "Enter mailbox"
			New-Item $PstPath\$Mailbox -Type Directory -Force
			$ArchiveDate = Read-Host "Enter month/year (m-yyyy)"
			$Month, $Year = $ArchiveDate.Split('-')
			$FirstDayOfMonth = Get-Date -Date "$($Year)-$($Month)-1 00:00:00"
			$LastDayOfMonth = $FirstDayOfMonth.AddMonths(1).AddDays(-1)
			Invoke-Command -Session $Session -ArgumentList $PstPath, $Mailbox, $ArchiveDate, $FirstDayOfMonth.ToShortDateString(), $LastDayOfMonth.ToShortDateString() -ScriptBlock {
				Param($PstPath, $Mailbox, $ArchiveDate, $FirstDayOfMonth, $LastDayOfMonth)
				New-MailboxExportRequest -ContentFilter {(Received -ge $FirstDayOfMonth) -and (Received -le $LastDayOfMonth)} -Mailbox $Mailbox -FilePath $PstPath\$Mailbox\$ArchiveDate.pst
			}
		}
		'q' {
			Remove-PSSession $Session
		}
		default {
			Write-Warning "Unknown choice '$_' - try again."
		}
	}
	pause
} Until ($Input -eq 'q')

Open in new window


When in the EMS directly, can you successfully run the "Get-Date" command?
Member_2_8006433
ASKER
"Get-Date" command works fine directly from the EMS. Not sure if it got something to do with language problems. Now I am getting this error when doing 3-2017 (31-03-2017 is danish timeformat):

The provided ContentFilter value is invalid. ContentFilter is invalid. The value "31-03-2017" could not be converted to type System.DateTime. --> The value "31-03-2017" could not be converted to type System.DateTime.
    + CategoryInfo          : InvalidArgument: ((Received -ge $...LastDayOfMonth):String) [], ContentFilterInvalidPermanentException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : D23A681B
    + PSComputerName        : server
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
oBdA
THIS SOLUTION ONLY AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS.
View this solution by signing up for a free trial.
Members can start a 7-Day free trial and enjoy unlimited access to the platform.
See Pricing Options
Start Free Trial
GET A PERSONALIZED SOLUTION
Ask your own question & get feedback from real experts
Find out why thousands trust the EE community with their toughest problems.
Member_2_8006433
ASKER
Working now! Thank you for all the help - really appreciate it.
Experts Exchange is like having an extremely knowledgeable team sitting and waiting for your call. Couldn't do my job half as well as I do without it!
James Murphy
Plans and Pricing
Resources
Product
Podcasts
Careers
Contact Us
Teams
Certified Expert Program
Credly Partnership
Udemy Partnership
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use

© 1996-2023 Experts Exchange, LLC. All rights reserved. Covered by US Patent