Verify Global Catalog Readiness
Applies To: Windows Server 2008
When a global catalog server satisfies replication requirements, the isGlobalCatalogReadyrootDSE attribute is set to TRUE and the global catalog is ready to serve client computers. You can use the following procedures in the Ldp snap-in or at a command line to verify this setting.
Membership in the Enterprise Admins group in the forest or the Domain Admins group in the forest root domain, or equivalent, is the minimum required to complete these procedures. Review details about using the appropriate accounts and group memberships at Local and Domain Default Groups (https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=83477).
Verifying global catalog readiness
Using the Windows interface
Using a command prompt
To verify global catalog readiness using the Windows interface
Open the Ldp snap-in. To open Ldp, click Start, click Run, type ldp, and then click OK.
On the Connection menu, click Connect.
In Connect, type the name of the server whose global catalog readiness you want to verify.
In Port, if 389 does not appear, type 389.
If the Connectionless check box is selected, clear it, and then click OK.
In the details pane, verify that the isGlobalCatalogReady attribute has a value of TRUE.
On the Connection menu, click Disconnect, and then close Ldp.
Additional considerations
- To perform this procedure, you must be a member of the Domain Admins group in the domain of the selected domain controller or the Enterprise Admins group in the forest, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority. As a security best practice, use Run as administrator to perform this procedure. Log on with your lowest-level user account and use administrative credentials when you manage Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS).
Additional references
To verify global catalog readiness using a command line
Open a command prompt. To open a command prompt, click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
Type the following command, and then press ENTER:
nltest /server:<servername> /dsgetdc:<domainname>Value Description nltest
Performs network administrative tasks.
/server:<servername>
Specifies the name of the domain controller that you have designated as a global catalog server.
/dsgetsdc:<domainname>
Specifies the name of the domain to which the server belongs.
In the Flags line of the output, if GC appears, the global catalog server has satisfied its replication requirements.
To view the complete syntax for this command, at a command prompt, type:
nltest /?
Additional considerations
- To perform this procedure, you must be a member of the Domain Admins group in the domain of the selected domain controller or the Enterprise Admins group in the forest, or you must have been delegated the appropriate authority. As a security best practice, use Run as administrator to perform this procedure. Log on with your lowest-level user account and use administrative credentials when you manage AD DS.