PowerPacks

From PowerGUI Wiki

Downloading and Importing PowerPacks

PowerPacks are XML documents that contain a collection of nodes, script nodes, links, script links, actions, and/or script actions that have been exported from PowerGUI by a PowerPack author. When you import a PowerPack into PowerGUI, the nodes, script nodes, links, script links, actions, and script actions it contains are added to PowerGUI and are always available from that point onward.

There are a number of PowerPacks available on the PowerGUI website. They are organized into categories which include Active Directory, Exchange, Reporting, Operations Manager (MOM), Windows Server and Localization packs.

The Library also contains actions that you can download.

To download a PowerPack

1. Go to PowerGUI.org.

2. Select Browse the Library from the list of links under Community Home.

3. Locate the PowerPack you want to download.

4. Click the PowerPack link to open its web page.

5. Click the link under Attachments to display the Powerpack script.

6. Select File | Save As to save the PowerPack on your local drive.

To import a PowerPack into PowerGUI

1. Right-click the PowerGUI node in the Administrative Console.

2. Select Import.

3. Browse to the location of the PowerPack you downloaded.

4. Select the PowerPack and click Open.

Creating and exporting PowerPacks

You can easily share functionality with other users by exporting files to the community library on PowerGUI.org. You have the option of:

• Exporting the entire tree or folder structure which in effect runs a script that creates the node or a set of nodes.
• Exporting an individual link or action.

To create a PowerPack for export

1. Right-click the node or PowerPack, and select Export.

2. Select the PowerShell PowerPacks required for the functionality and enter a description.

If you enter this information, when another user imports the PowerPack, the description you entered is displayed and PowerGUI checks the system requirements and automatically links the specified PowerShell library.

3. If required, click the Advanced button to select the specific nodes, links, or actions to export, and click OK.

4. Save the file.

To share functionality on the community

• Go to the PowerGUI.org site, and upload the PowerPack to the library.

Include the document type, description, and a short summary so that other users can locate your PowerPack. From this same location on the community you can easily upload and import functionality created by other users.

To export an individual link or action

1. Right-click the required link or action, and select Export.

2. Select the export location, and click OK.

The generated script contains information on the type for which it was created. This gives PowerGUI the ability to place the imported action or link into the node for which it was created.