Powershell - external command's parameter not accepted

Question

This seems like a simple problem but I am unable to fix it: Running command in shell returns result


C:\Windows\system32>dfsutil link "\\server.domain.com\DFSRootname\Sharename"

Link Name="Sharename" State="OK" Timeout="1800"
        Target="\\server1\sharename" State="ONLINE"  [Site: site1]
        Target="\\server2\sharename" State="OFFLINE"  [Site: site2]

Done processing this command.

Trying to do the same in powershell

PS>
$path = "\\server.domain.com\DFSRootname\Sharename"
$dfsutil = "dfsutil"
$option = "link"
PS C:\Windows\system32> Invoke-Expression "$dfsutil $option $path"

DFS Utility Version 5.2 (built on 5.2.3790.3959)
Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Unrecognized option "ink"

Why does it complain about link option?

Why are you using `Invoke-Expression` which just evaluates PowerShell expressions? Did `dfsutil link $path` all by itself not work? — jpmc26, Jun 13 '13 at 10:40
Sorry, not sure what did you mean 'just evaluates'? Technet says 'The Invoke-Expression cmdlet provides one way to run a script from within Windows PowerShell': http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee176880.aspx — Sergei, Jun 13 '13 at 10:49
`Invoke-Expression` invokes *PowerShell* expressions. SS64 puts it more simply: http://ss64.com/ps/invoke-expression.html. So there's no difference between `Invoke-Expression "dfsutil link $path"` and `dfsutil link $path`, except for maybe some quoting issues that could be created in the `Invoke-Expression` way if `$path` has spaces. — jpmc26, Jun 13 '13 at 11:04
Thank you for your comment.I may have misunderstood you. From your first comment that had 'just evaluates' phrase it looked like Invoke-Expression does just that - only evaluates expression and does not executes the script. Hopefuly someone will come up with a solution soon. — Sergei, Jun 13 '13 at 13:02

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Jun 13 '13 at 11:43

2

Try the call operator (e,g '&'):

& $dfsutil $option $path

or

& $dfsutil "$option" "$path"

answered Jun 13 '13 at 11:43

Shay Levy

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Sorry Shay, both commands return same otuput Unrecognized option "ink" :( – Sergei Jun 13 '13 at 12:59
Seems like problem only happens on my Windows 7 PS3 install. Command works fine on Windows 2008 R2 host with PS2 it works fine – Sergei Jun 13 '13 at 13:10
What's the output of: "$dfsutil $option $path" – Shay Levy Jun 13 '13 at 13:23
same thing. My colleague confirmed that he has same issue with Windows 7 and PS3. This does not happen on w2k8 ps2... – Sergei Jun 14 '13 at 13:39

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 13 '13 at 13:11

0

Seems like installation problem with my Windows 7 PS3 install. Command works fine on Windows 2008 R2 host with PS2

answered Jun 13 '13 at 13:11

Sergei

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Powershell - external command's parameter not accepted

2 Answers2