The essential guide to PowerShell in Exchange

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  Article

  Exchange Management Shell basics

  Although most administrative tasks can be completed through Exchange's graphical user interface (GUI), the EMS lets admins perform tasks that cannot be completed through the EMC. This feature breaks down the basic syntax of EMS and how to perform common commands. Read Now

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  Article

  Using the EMS Filter command to control search results

  Commands in EMS can return thousands of search results, making it difficult for admins to find the right information. The Filter command controls the results that are displayed. Read Now

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  Article

  Dig deeper into search results with the Format command

  The Filter command may not return the exact data admins want. But when used in conjunction with a specific symbol, the Format command adds more control to what information is displayed when a query is executed. Read Now

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  Article

  Testing and previewing EMS commands

  A single command in the EMS can make drastic changes to an entire Exchange deployment, so admins need to be comfortable using commands. This feature explores how to test and preview EMS commands before executing them. Read Now

1PowerShell in Exchange 2010

The EMS appears again in Exchange 2010, but it includes new capabilities and roles, including role-based access control. As in Exchange 2007, admins can only perform certain tasks from the command line, but PowerShell is still a valuable asset for those who want to create and execute a plan for a successful Exchange 2010 migration. Once an admin has a basic understanding of EMS, there are some additional tools to ease Exchange management and help you prepare for and complete a successful migration to Exchange 2010.

• Article

  Use PowerShell to prepare AD for Exchange 2010 migrations

  Before migrating to Exchange Server 2010, the AD setup must meet certain prerequisites. These PowerShell cmdlets will help verify that everything is in working order and prepare the AD forest for the move. Read Now

• Article

  Complete your Exchange 2010 migration with PowerShell

  The next step after prepping the AD for Exchange 2010 is to move public folders, PST data and mailboxes over to the new servers. It's easier to complete these steps using EMS commands rather than the GUI because admins can perform bulk moves with a single line of code. Read Now

• Article

  Exchange 2010 EMS essentials

  Microsoft has positioned PowerShell as the administrative tool of choice, so it's important that admins become familiar with basic EMS functionality or risk being left behind. Read Now

• Article

  Establish remote EMS connections with WinRM and PowerShell

  Microsoft built EMS on top of PowerShell 2.0 and WinRM in Exchange 2010, allowing admins to perform tasks on remote servers without having to install Exchange tools on local systems. Read Now

• Article

  Set execution policies to protect servers

  PowerShell scripts can expose servers to malware, but Exchange 2010 uses execution policies to control whether scripts are allowed to run. Admins can view their execution policy with one simple EMS command. Read Now

• Article

  Prep Exchange 2010 for reusable scripts

  Reusable PowerShell scripts can save time, but many admins struggle with how to write them and how to set up their EMS environments. This tip breaks down how to create and test reusable scripts, as well as other ways to smooth the process. Read Now

• Article

  Is throttling PowerShell in Exchange 2010 a good idea?

  Throttling PowerShell can help admins achieve more control over usage and avoid performance problems end users may cause when establishing multiple sessions with the Exchange 2010 server. Read Now

2PowerShell in Exchange 2013

A strong PowerShell background is important for admins to effectively manage an Exchange 2013 deployment, especially since they can't perform a number of tasks -- establishing remote sessions and running commands within commands -- through the GUI. In addition, admins have to adjust to the lack of public folder databases.

Despite these changes, admins can still take full advantage of PowerShell to manage roles and perform routine management tasks. This section explores essential techniques for managing Exchange 2013 and walks through the cmdlets to help monitor the health of servers and diagnose problems with ActiveSync.

• Article

  Control RBAC in Exchange 2013 with PowerShell

  With nearly a dozen built-in role groups in Exchange 2013, PowerShell cmdlets are an essential part of managing the RBAC role. This tip outlines the commands necessary for admins to verify group memberships and role assignments. Read Now

• Article

  Use PowerShell for Exchange 2013 RBAC permissions

  RBAC's Management Scopes are useful to admins because they simplify how admins can set up a number of management tasks while also allowing admins to set limits on the kinds of cmdlets end users can access. Read Now

• Article

  PowerShell management techniques for Exchange 2013

  Proficiency in PowerShell is important for admins since many management tasks in Exchange 2013 can't be performed through the GUI. This tip looks at the five techniques every admin should have in their toolbox. Read Now

• Article

  New PowerShell cmdlets for Exchange 2013

  Of the 187 new PowerShell cmdlets in Exchange 2013, these 10 cmdlets are the ones admins should pay the most attention to. Admins should also be aware that several legacy cmdlets have been retired. Read Now

• Article

  PowerShell changes for public folders

  When Microsoft built Exchange 2013, it retired several public-folder-related cmdlets from Exchange 2010. These cmdlets were left out because Microsoft changed how public folders work and Exchange 2013 no longer includes public folder databases. Read Now

3Essential terms for PowerShell in Exchange

To master PowerShell in Exchange, admins must have a firm grasp on more than just the technology surrounding the scripting language -- they must also know the terminology. Here are some of the essential terms admins should know to better understand how PowerShell fits in to Exchange Server.

• Definition

  Active Directory

  Active Directory (AD) is a Microsoft product that consists of several services that run on Windows Server to manage permissions and access to networked resources.  Read Now

• Definition

  ActiveSync

  Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync is a synchronization protocol that enables users of mobile devices to access email, calendar, contacts, and tasks from their organization's Microsoft Exchange server. Read Now

• Definition

  cmdlet

  A cmdlet (pronounced "command-let") is a lightweight Windows PowerShell script that performs a single function. Read Now

• Definition

  domain controller (DC)

  Primary domain controller (PDC) and backup domain controller (BDC) are roles that can be assigned to a server in a network of computers that use the Windows NT operating system. Read Now

• Definition

  graphical user interface (GUI)

  A GUI (usually pronounced "GOO-ee") is a graphical (rather than purely textual) user interface to a computer. Read Now

• Definition

  Microsoft Exchange Server 2010

  Exchange Server 2010 is the version of Microsoft’s messaging platform that replaced Exchange Server 2007.  Read Now

• Definition

  Microsoft Exchange Server 2013

  Exchange Server 2013 is an iteration of Microsoft’s Exchange server. Exchange Server 2013 is similar to Exchange Server 2010 in that the messaging platform can be deployed on-premises, in the cloud or as a hybrid solution in which some servers exist on-premises while others reside in the cloud.. Read Now

• Definition

  Microsoft Exchange Management Shell (EMS)

  Microsoft Exchange Management Shell (EMS) is a scripting platform that enables administrators to manage Exchange Server. EMS is is built on top of Microsoft PowerShell, a command line shell that allows administrators to perform administrative tasks with simple noun-verb commands called cmdlets. Read Now

• Definition

  Microsoft Exchange Management Console (EMC)

  The Exchange Management Console (EMC) is a graphical user interface that allows administrators to manage the configuration of their Exchange organizations.  Read Now

• Definition

  Microsoft Exchange RBAC (Role Based Access Control)

  Microsoft Exchange RBAC is a permissions model used in Exchange Server 2010 and Exchange Server 2013. Read Now

• Definition

  Microsoft PowerShell 4.0

  Microsoft Windows PowerShell 4.0 is the version of the PowerShell scripting language found in Windows Server 2012 R2. Read Now

• Definition

  role-based access control

  Role-based access control (RBAC) is a method of restricting network access based on the roles of individual users within an enterprise. Read Now

• Definition

  Windows Remote Management (WinRM)

  Windows Remote Management (WinRM) is a feature of Windows Vista that allows administrators to remotely run management scripts... (Continued) Read Now