Parallels RAS PowerShell allows you to perform the majority of Parallels RAS administration tasks from the command line.

This section contains information about using PowerShell to export and import Farm settings. To learn more about Parallels RAS PowerShell, please visit https://www.parallels.com/products/ras/resources/ and download (or view online) the Parallels RAS PowerShell Guide.

One of the uses of exporting and importing Farm settings is running automated tests. Specific configurations can be created, exported, and then imported for specific test scenarios. You can also use this functionality with Windows task scheduler for regular backups of Farm settings.

Installing Parallels RAS PowerShell

RAS PowerShell is installed by default when you run the default Parallels RAS installation. If you haven't installed it (or to install it on a different computer), do the following:

1. Run the Parallels RAS installer.

2. Select Custom and then select the Parallels RAS PowerShell component.

3. Complete the wizard and install Parallels RAS PowerShell.

Using Parallels RAS PowerShell

The complete up-to-date information about Parallels RAS PowerShell can be found in the Parallels RAS PowerShell Guide. The guide includes the Getting Started chapter to help you quickly get started with Parallels RAS PowerShell, as well as the complete reference and code samples. Please visit https://www.parallels.com/products/ras/resources/ to view or download the guide.

Use the instructions below to export and import Parallels RAS Farm settings.

To import the Parallels RAS PowerShell module, open the PowerShell console and execute the following command:

Import-Module PSAdmin

Create a Parallels RAS session (use the name or IP address of the server where you have Parallels RAS installed):

New-RASSession -Server "server.company.dom"

To export Farm settings, execute the following command (substitute the path and filename of the backup file with your own):

Invoke-RASExportSettings "C:\Backup\RAS-backup.dat2"

To import Farm settings:

Invoke-RASImportSettings "C:\Backup\RAS-backup.dat2"

Keeping Parallels RAS up to date

By default, Parallels RAS checks for updates each time the RAS Console is started. If you wish to change this behavior:

1. Select the Administration category and click the Settings tab.

2. Select or clear the Check for updates when launching Parallels RAS Console option according to your needs.

3. Select or clear the Automatically update RAS Session Host Agents option according to your needs.

4. To check for updates manually, click the Check Now button.

Backing up the Parallels RAS Farm configuration

To backup the Parallels RAS Farm configuration:

1. Select the Administration category and then click the Settings tab.

2. Click the Export Settings button.

3. You'll see a message box saying that all sites will be synchronized. Click Yes to continue with export or click No to abort it.

4. Specify the file name and target folder and click Save.

To restore a Parallels RAS Farm configuration from a backup file, click the Import Settings button and select a backup file (the default file extension is .dat2). When you import a configuration from a file, your existing Farm configuration will be completely replaced with it.

You can also export and import a Parallels RAS Farm configuration from the command line. For complete instructions, please read on.