cannot validate argument on parameter "Path" The argument is null or empty

Question

I was trying to create a simple script that would go to a server and get the acl details of a folder. I tested the command:

Invoke-command -Computername Servername -ScriptBlock {(Get-Acl "\\Server\Folder\user folders").access | ft- auto}

This worked ok. However when I was trying to put it into a script that would allow me to enter the path in via a variable I always get:

Cannot validate argument on parameter 'Path'. The argument is null or empty. Supply an argument that is not null or empty and then 
try the command again.
    + CategoryInfo          : InvalidData: (:) [Get-Acl], ParameterBindingValidationException
    + FullyQualifiedErrorId : ParameterArgumentValidationError,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.GetAclCommand

Here is my script:

#get folder permissions from remote computer
$serverName = read-host "Please enter the name of the target server"
$folderPath = "\\server_name\Folder\user folders"
#read-host "Please enter the full path to the target folder"
Invoke-command -ComputerName $serverName -ScriptBlock {(get-acl $folderPath).access | ft -wrap}

Its probably something very simple, but I'd appreciate the help.

retryW · Accepted Answer · 2020-05-22 03:22:54Z

1

The issue is because you are trying to use the $folderPath variable, but on the remote computer that variable does not exist.

You will need to pass it through as an argument. There are multiple ways to do so, two such ways are below:

# Add desired variable to ArgumentList and define it as a parameter
Invoke-command -ComputerName $serverName -ArgumentList $folderPath -ScriptBlock {
  param($folderPath)  
  (get-acl $folderPath).access | ft -wrap
}

OR

# In PS ver >= 3.0 we can use 'using'
Invoke-command -ComputerName $serverName $folderPath -ScriptBlock {(get-acl $using:folderPath).access | ft -wrap}

edited May 22, 2020 at 3:22

answered May 22, 2020 at 3:16

retryW

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4 Comments

Aurelius Over a year ago

Thank you for your response. I know its simple, but how would I do that?

retryW Over a year ago

No worries, I've added two examples of how to achieve this.

Aurelius Over a year ago

thank you so much! the first example solved my issue.

js2010 Jun 30 at 14:30

That's a pretty common question.

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