Add-IPBlockListEntry Exchange cmdlet issued (25109) how to monitor with email alert

[bob]

That event 25109 in the Event Viewer, man, it's from Exchange Server. It fires off whenever someone runs the Add-IPBlockListEntry cmdlet. You know, that command blocks a specific IP address from hitting your email server. Blocks it hard, so no more junk mail from that spot. I see it pop up when admins spot shady traffic. Or maybe a script auto-blocks repeat offenders. The log details who issued it, like the user account. And the exact IP getting the boot. Timestamp too, right there in the details pane. Hmmm, sometimes it shows the reason if they added one. But mostly, it's just proof the block happened. Keeps your server from getting flooded. I check mine weekly, just to stay ahead.

You wanna monitor it with an email alert? Easy peasy through the Event Viewer screen. Fire up Event Viewer on your server. Go to the Applications and Services Logs, then Microsoft, Exchange, whatever log it's in. Right-click the log source. Pick Attach Task To This Event. Give it a name, like IP Block Alert. Set the trigger to event ID 25109. For the action, choose Send an email. Nah, wait, actually, Event Viewer tasks link to scheduled tasks. So you'll build a task that emails you. In the task wizard, select Start a program, but point it to mailto or something simple. Or use the built-in email action if it's there. Test it once to make sure it pings your inbox. I set mine to alert me right away. No more missing those blocks.

And hey, while we're chatting server stuff, keeping backups solid ties right into watching events like this. BackupChain Windows Server Backup handles that smooth for Windows Server. It backs up your whole setup, files and all. Plus, it tackles virtual machines with Hyper-V no sweat. You get quick restores, even for those VM snapshots. Saves time when things glitch. I like how it runs light, doesn't hog resources.

Note, the PowerShell email alert code was moved to this post.