Exchange 2003/Outlook 2003 and the Global Catalog

[Paul Bergson [MVP-DS]]

I'm trying to figure out how long it takes an Outlook client to switch over
from a lost Global Catalog server.

If I logon and an Outlook attaches to dc1 (Which is a gc) later during the
day, this GC is taken out of service. How long does it take for my local
Outlook client to go find a new gc to use?

Do you have any tech articles on this?

What about Exchange 2003, how long will it take to switch over once it can't
get a response?

Any tech articles on this?

--
Paul Bergson
MVP - Directory Services
MCT, MCSE, MCSA, Security+, BS CSci
2003, 2000 (Early Achiever), NT

http://www.pbbergs.com

Please no e-mails, any questions should be posted in the NewsGroup
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Bharat Suneja [MVP]]

Exchange 2003:
At startup, DSAccess uses a discovery process to identify the Active
Directory topology and assess the availability of domain controllers and
global catalog servers. After startup is complete (and every 15 minutes
thereafter), DSAccess uses an almost identical process to rediscover the
topology and to check for any changes in server availability.

Exchange 2003 Technical Reference Guide -> Exchange Server 2003 & AD ->
Directory Integration and Exchange Server 2003 (DSAccess & Topology
Discovery)
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pr...Ref/e0163427-dd90-4761-8f14-8cb41f15939c.mspx

Outlook: In case of unavailability of DC, you simply restart Outlook:
XCLN: How MAPI Clients Access Active Directory
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=256976

Also check DSProxy section in TechRef Guide:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/pr...Ref/b7f8fbf4-732c-4a87-a9d5-3c4c375e5948.mspx
--
Bharat Suneja
MVP - Exchange
www.zenprise.com
NEW blog location:
www.exchangepedia.com/blog

 

[Paul Bergson [MVP-DS]]

I had hoped to find a way around the restart of Outlook, since that is what
we have been having our users do.

On the Exchange server is there a way to find out which GC the Exchange
server is using? I don't think I can assume it is the same as the logon
server. I know how to find the GC on the Outlook client and where to find
the current list of GC's available to the Exchange server, but haven't had
any luck on determining which GC the Exchange (2003) server is using.


Thanks for the assistance!

--
Paul Bergson
MVP - Directory Services
MCT, MCSE, MCSA, Security+, BS CSci
2003, 2000 (Early Achiever), NT

http://www.pbbergs.com

Please no e-mails, any questions should be posted in the NewsGroup
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Bharat Suneja [MVP]]

Should be on the DSAccess tab of server properties in ESM.
Can also check LDAP (GC) connections to port 3268.
Alternatively, can find out using WMI - using Exchange's DSAccessDC wmi
class.
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa143708.aspx

--
Bharat Suneja
MVP - Exchange
www.zenprise.com
NEW blog location:
www.exchangepedia.com/blog

 

[Paul Bergson [MVP-DS]]

I have visitied the DSAccess tab in the past and I don't see where it
details how it is attached to a specific GC/DC for services. It appears to
me to just show which servers are available.

I can run a netstat -ano |find /i "3268"

To see the connections but not sure what to make of it since it is using all
the servers for connections. This is where my confusion arises. It appears
that it is using multiple DC's/GC's for services.

--
Paul Bergson
MVP - Directory Services
MCT, MCSE, MCSA, Security+, BS CSci
2003, 2000 (Early Achiever), NT

http://www.pbbergs.com

Please no e-mails, any questions should be posted in the NewsGroup
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Bharat Suneja [MVP]]

Yes, it load-balances the user context queries between different DCs shown
in the DSAccess tab.

--
Bharat Suneja
MVP - Exchange
www.zenprise.com
NEW blog location:
www.exchangepedia.com/blog

 

[james chong]

The tab will show list of available dc's each having a point rating for
preferred selection. Try this tool


XGEN: General Information on Exinfo.exe
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/305816

Or try to see if you can query it using the wmi class that Bharat
mentioned.


James Chong

 

[Paul Bergson [MVP-DS]]

I assume the load balancing crosses GC's then as well. Alright then I don't
have to worry if a GC goes away, it just sends the queries to other
available ones.


Thanks for the feedback, it was very helpful!

--
Paul Bergson
MVP - Directory Services
MCT, MCSE, MCSA, Security+, BS CSci
2003, 2000 (Early Achiever), NT

http://www.pbbergs.com

Please no e-mails, any questions should be posted in the NewsGroup
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.

 

[Paul Bergson [MVP-DS]]

Thanks for the info

--
Paul Bergson
MVP - Directory Services
MCT, MCSE, MCSA, Security+, BS CSci
2003, 2000 (Early Achiever), NT

http://www.pbbergs.com

Please no e-mails, any questions should be posted in the NewsGroup
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.