topic Re: PowerShell Toolkit ;error with New-NcSym in Microsoft Virtualization Discussions

PowerShell Toolkit ;error with New-NcSym

Quang-Chinh — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 12:12:16 GMT

Dear all,

Customer is reporting an issue with PowerShell Toolkit when trying to create a new symlink.

Actually, he is stuck on a big project so any fast help would be very appreciated.

Target File « test.txt »

The target file is seen by powershell

Exécution on the command New-NcSymLink with issue

You have executed this command without « /vol » on traget or symlink but without success.
The symlink file « test2.txt » is created but symlink is not functional.

Re: PowerShell Toolkit ;error with New-NcSym

Ontapforrum — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 12:32:17 GMT

Please look at the example given in this blog: [Very well written]

I think the order and syntax needs correction.

Go to this section:
How we create some Symlinks with PowerShell
https://community.netapp.com/t5/Network-Storage-Protocols-Articles-and-Resources/How-Symlinks-boost-productivity/ta-p/126258

Hope this helps, if not then one of our powershell expert will come back to you.

Re: PowerShell Toolkit ;error with New-NcSym

NeedHelp — Fri, 04 Oct 2019 18:36:14 GMT

Hi,

We saw this article.
But that does not correspond to the need. We try to create a symlink to a file by mounting a CIFS folder.
The New-NcSymlink command only needs two parameters: Symlink and Path.
when we return this command we have an error "No such file or Directory". This creates a file but does not point to anything.
Is it a problem configuring the netAPP cluster or the Powershell version 9.6 toolkit?

Can you give an example of a command to test?

Thank

Re: PowerShell Toolkit ;error with New-NcSym

Ontapforrum — Sat, 05 Oct 2019 20:20:39 GMT

Hi,

I followed this KB article, and it worked perfectly in my lab. Screenshot attached.

How to create a symbolic link in clustered Data ONTAP without the need for NFS:
https://kb.netapp.com/app/answers/answer_view/a_id/1029854

Lab:
simulator:ONTAP 9.6

PSversion:4

Note: Original & symlink file need not exist prior, first will be created during command-line execution, and test_copy will be created automatically.
symlink: test_copy
original: test

Re: PowerShell Toolkit ;error with New-NcSym

NeedHelp — Sat, 05 Oct 2019 21:50:44 GMT

Thank you for your time.

I do not understand. If Original and symlink file does not exist how can you create a symlink to an existing file?

I also tested :

- My vServer : BISPNASN4003

- My ShareName: VDISK1

I try to create a symlink file "Symlink.txt" that point to "Target.txt" :

- First command

Add-NcCifsSymlink –unixpath /Target.txt/ -cifspath /Symlink.txt/ -locality local –sharename VDISK1

- Second command

New-NcSymlink –target /Target.txt –linkname /vol/BISPNASN4003_01/VDISK1/Symlink.txt
II do not see a file "Target.txt"

Re: PowerShell Toolkit ;error with New-NcSym

Ontapforrum — Sat, 05 Oct 2019 22:56:25 GMT

My wording may have confused you. But, what I'm trying to say is, I created a file 'test' and sym linked to 'test_copy' which is actually a symlink created by the first command. Target is simply does not have to exist.

Its mentioned in the article : The '-target is a path or location that does not have to exist. The target path is not checked for validity.

'Test' will create a symlink that points to a non-existent path of /somewhere
and the symbolic link itself will be created in the shared folder, in my case qtree_cifs.

I have tried it 3 times, and it worked for me.

Re: PowerShell Toolkit ;error with New-NcSym

NeedHelp — Sun, 06 Oct 2019 08:39:17 GMT

OK, thanks. I understood. The first command creates a symlink object that points to the target. The second command creates the file that points to the created symlink.

Super.

thank for your time and your Help

Re: PowerShell Toolkit ;error with New-NcSym

Ontapforrum — Sun, 06 Oct 2019 10:12:08 GMT

Yes, you worded perfectly. Thanks!