New-EtwTraceSession

Creates an ETW trace session.

Syntax

New-EtwTraceSession
   [-Name] <String>
   [-LogFileMode <UInt32>]
   [-LocalFilePath <String>]
   [-MaximumFileSize <UInt32>]
   [-BufferSize <UInt32>]
   [-MinimumBuffers <UInt32>]
   [-MaximumBuffers <UInt32>]
   [-FlushTimer <UInt32>]
   [-ClockType <ClockType>]
   [-CimSession <CimSession[]>]
   [-ThrottleLimit <Int32>]
   [-AsJob]
   [-WhatIf]
   [-Confirm]
   [<CommonParameters>]

Description

The Start-EtwTraceSession cmdlet replaces this cmdlet as the recommended method of starting an ETW session. It provides an easier way to specify common LogFileMode settings and other parameters.

The New-EtwTraceSession cmdlet creates an Event Trace for Windows (ETW) trace session.

Examples

Example 1: Create an ETW trace session

PS C:\> New-EtwTraceSession -Name "NetCfgTrace" -MaximumBuffers 24

This command creates an ETW trace session named NetCfgTrace that has a value of 24 for the MaximumBuffers parameter.

Parameters

-AsJob

Runs the cmdlet as a background job. Use this parameter to run commands that take a long time to complete.

The cmdlet immediately returns an object that represents the job and then displays the command prompt. You can continue to work in the session while the job completes. To manage the job, use the *-Job cmdlets. To get the job results, use the Receive-Job cmdlet.

For more information about Windows PowerShell background jobs, see about_Jobs.

Type:SwitchParameter
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-BufferSize

Specifies the ETW session buffer size, in kilobytes.

Type:UInt32
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-CimSession

Runs the cmdlet in a remote session or on a remote computer. Enter a computer name or a session object, such as the output of a New-CimSession or Get-CimSession cmdlet. The default is the current session on the local computer.

Type:CimSession[]
Aliases:Session
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-ClockType

Specifies the type of timestamp that will be used for each event logged to this ETW session.

This is an advanced session configuration option, and it is not recommended that this parameter be set.

For more information, see the description of the ClientContext field in the topic WNODE_HEADER structure for a description of the different clock types available.

Type:ClockType
Accepted values:Performance, System, Cycle
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-Confirm

Prompts you for confirmation before running the cmdlet.

Type:SwitchParameter
Aliases:cf
Position:Named
Default value:False
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-FlushTimer

When set, all active buffers in the session will be flushed at this interval, in seconds.

This is an advanced session configuration option, and it is not recommended that this parameter be set.

If it is not set, the ETW will select an appropriate default based on the LogFileMode.

Type:UInt32
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-LocalFilePath

Specifies the full path to the file the ETW session should write to. For non-buffering mode sessions only.

When creating a new-file file mode session, the file path must contain a %d in the file name.

Do not use this parameter if the session is configured as a buffering mode session. Use Save-EtwTraceSession to save a buffering mode session to disk instead.

Type:String
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-LogFileMode

Specifies the ETW session logging mode. The value is a bitmask of the ETW logging mode constants. For valid values, see Logging Mode Constants.

Type:UInt32
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-MaximumBuffers

Specifies the maximum number of buffers the ETW session should use.

The ETW session will use a maximum of (BufferSize * MaximumBuffers) kilobytes of memory. Depending on the specified LogFileMode this may be pageable or non-paged memory.

If the session is losing events because the buffers cannot be flushed quickly enough to keep up with the incoming event rate, try increasing this value.

Configuring a session to use too many buffers may affect system performance.

Type:UInt32
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-MaximumFileSize

Specifies the maximum file size for the output .etl file to grow to, in megabytes.

The parameter must be set for a circular, new-file, or sequential file mode ETW session.

For circular sessions, once the file reaches this size the oldest buffers will be overwritten by the new buffers.

For new-file sessions, once the file reaches this size a new file will be created and all new events will be written to that file.

For sequential file sessions, once the file reaches this size the session will stop.

Type:UInt32
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-MinimumBuffers

Specifies the minimum number of buffers the ETW session should use.

The ETW session will use a minimum of (BufferSize * MinimumBuffers) kilobytes of memory. Depending on the specified LogFileMode this may be pageable or non-paged memory.

If the session is losing events because the buffers cannot be flushed quick enough to keep up with the incoming event rate, try increasing this value.

Configuring a session to use too many buffers may affect system performance.

Type:UInt32
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-Name

Specifies the name of the new ETW trace session.

Type:String
Position:0
Default value:None
Required:True
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-ThrottleLimit

Specifies the maximum number of concurrent operations that can be established to run the cmdlet. If this parameter is omitted or a value of 0 is entered, then Windows PowerShell® calculates an optimum throttle limit for the cmdlet based on the number of CIM cmdlets that are running on the computer. The throttle limit applies only to the current cmdlet, not to the session or to the computer.

Type:Int32
Position:Named
Default value:None
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False

-WhatIf

Shows what would happen if the cmdlet runs. The cmdlet is not run.

Type:SwitchParameter
Aliases:wi
Position:Named
Default value:False
Required:False
Accept pipeline input:False
Accept wildcard characters:False