IIS WebDeploy Export Server Package via Powershell

Question

I am curious how to create an "export server package" via powershell commands to IIS manager.

Here is my scenario: When I deploy our .NET software builds (and Flex, etc) to our web server, I normally do this process manually: I open up IIS Manager and follow the "Export Server Package" wizard (which creates a zip file of the entire IIS structure - contents and all). Then I archive this new zip file that was produced (for backup purposes). The zip file is helpful if our web server becomes unresponsive or disappears in "the cloud"! A IIS backup zip file allows us to "roll out" quickly.

My question is...how can I accomplish exporting of a server package with Powershell scripts (instead of manually)? I cannot find much on this topic on the web!!

I have looked at the MS Deploy verbs (as covered here: http://raquila.com/software/ms-deploy-basics/) but I do not see one for an "Export" verb/action??

Any help is appreciated. My ultimate goal is to produce the server package via powershell, and upload to Amazon S3 cloud for safe keeping. The S3 cloud stuff is easy, it's the powershell to IIS script I am having problems with...

Answer 1

I can't see a great way of doing this with just PowerShell cmdlets. What I would suggest is using PowerShell to call appcmd to export the application settings and then grab a copy of the files used. Then I'd throw these in an S3 bucket, also through PowerShell.