About_CimSession

TOPIC
    about_CimSession

SHORT DESCRIPTION
    Describes a CimSession object and the difference between CIM sessions and 
    Windows PowerShell® sessions.


LONG DESCRIPTION
    A Common Information Model (CIM) session is a client-side object that 
    represents a connection to a local computer or a remote computer. You can 
    use CIM sessions as an alternative to Windows PowerShell sessions 
    (PSSessions). Both approaches have advantages.


    You can use the New-CimSession cmdlet to create a CIM session that contains 
    information about a connection, such as computer name, the protocol used 
    for the connection, session ID, and instance ID.


    After you create a CimSession object that specifies information required to 
    establish a connection, Windows PowerShell does not establish the 
    connection immediately. When a cmdlet uses the CIM session, 
    Windows PowerShell connects to the specified computer, and then, when the 
    cmdlet finishes, Windows PowerShell terminates the connection.


    If you create a PSSession instead of using a CIM session, 
    Windows PowerShell validates connection settings, and then establishes and 
    maintains the connection. If you use CIM sessions, Windows PowerShell 
    does not open a network connection until needed. For more information about 
    Windows PowerShell sessions, see about_PSSessions.


  When to Use a CIM Session

      Only cmdlets that work with a Windows Management Infrastructure (WMI) 
      provider accept CIM sessions. For other cmdlets, use PSSessions.


      When you use a CIM session, Windows PowerShell runs the cmdlet on the 
      local client. It connects to the WMI provider by using the CIM session. 
      The target computer does not require Windows PowerShell, or even any 
      version of the Windows operating system. 


      In contrast, a cmdlet run by using a PSSession runs on the target 
      computer. It requires Windows PowerShell on the target system. 
      Furthermore, the cmdlet sends data back to the local computer. 
      Windows PowerShell manages the data sent over the connection, and keeps 
      the size within the limits set by Windows Remote Management (WinRM). CIM 
      sessions do not impose the WinRM limits. 


      PSSessions only work with WinRM. CimSessions can use DCOM.


      CIM-based Cmdlet Definition XML (CDXML) cmdlets can be written to use any 
      WMI Provider. All WMI providers use CimSession objects.


SEE ALSO
    New-CimSession
    about_PSSessions