PowerShell Deep Dive: Import-BinaryMiLog Cmdlet

Welcome back to Wahmans PowerShell Blog! Today we are exploring a lesser-known yet powerful cmdlet: Import-BinaryMiLog. This cmdlet is used to re-create saved objects based on the contents of an export file. It’s particularly useful when dealing with Management Infrastructure (MI) logs and related binary data used in systems management and diagnostics.

Whether you’re new to PowerShell or a seasoned admin, understanding the scenarios in which Import-BinaryMiLog shines can help streamlining your automation workflows, especially in IT and system management tasks.

Cmdlet Overview

Import-BinaryMiLog

Description from Microsoft: Used to re-create the saved objects based on the contents of an export file.

This cmdlet takes a previously exported binary log file—often created using related MI or CIM cmdlets—and rehydrates the objects it represents, allowing for diagnostics, state review, and replay of operations.

1. Basic Level – Importing a Saved MI Log

If you’ve used Export-BinaryMiLog to capture diagnostic data, you can reverse the process to analyze it locally or script reports.

# Import a basic MI Log and store objects in a variable
$objects = Import-BinaryMiLog -Path "C:\Logs\ServerState.bin"

# Output the first object to inspect
$objects[0] | Format-List

2. Intermediate – Looping Through Imported Objects

Rehydrated objects may contain system state, user configurations or diagnostics. Iterate through them to find specific entries.

$importedObjects = Import-BinaryMiLog -Path "C:\Logs\UserSessionsExport.bin"

foreach ($obj in $importedObjects) {
    if ($obj.SessionStatus -eq "Failed") {
        Write-Output "Failed session found: $($obj.UserName)"
    }
}

3. Advanced – Filtering for Specific Class Types

When working with CIM or WMI exported logs, isolate objects of a specific class type after import:

$miObjects = Import-BinaryMiLog -Path "C:\Logs\SystemDiag.bin"

$eventLogs = $miObjects | Where-Object { $_.__Class -eq "Win32_NTLogEvent" }

$eventLogs | Select-Object TimeGenerated, Message | Format-Table

4. Automation – Incorporate in Diagnostic Pipeline

Use Import-BinaryMiLog in a CI/CD or monitoring pipeline to analyze system states regularly.

function Process-DiagLog {
    param (
        [string]$LogFilePath
    )

    $data = Import-BinaryMiLog -Path $LogFilePath
    $criticalEvents = $data | Where-Object { $_.Severity -eq "Critical" }

    if ($criticalEvents.Count -gt 0) {
        Send-MailMessage -To "[email protected]" -From "[email protected]" -Subject "Critical Events Found" -Body "Check log: $LogFilePath"
    }
}

# Schedule this to run daily or on demand
Process-DiagLog -LogFilePath "C:\Logs\DailyDiag.bin"

Conclusion

The Import-BinaryMiLog cmdlet might not be part of your daily toolbox yet, but it plays a valuable role in modern automation and system diagnostics involving Management Infrastructure components.

It empowers administrators to build reproducible diagnostics pipelines and data inspections. Mastering this cmdlet can elevate your understanding of what’s going on under the hood of your managed systems.

Happy scripting, and I will see you in the next post!

Wahmans Powershell Blog

Import-BinaryMiLog