Have you ever come across the term “Global Catalog Active Directory”? Do you feel absolutely in the dark about its definition and function at that moment? This term is not unique in the technical aspect, but it does not seem common to many, especially amateur code readers.
The most basic definition of the Global Catalog is just a domain controller role. But to gain deeper insights into its application and usage, let’s check our Trustguide team’s post for essential knowledge.
What Is The Global Catalog Active Directory?
The Global Catalog or GC is a fundamental but incomprehensive group of attributes, and each attribute attaches to one domain object in each Active Directory forest.
As regards its operation, it will receive the signal of information/ attributes from various Active Directory partitions included in the whole domain and copy these data sources with a standardized replication machine. Afterward, these previously copied attributes will be defined and stored in the Active Directory memory.
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What Is The Global Catalog Active Directory Used For?
The Global Catalog (CG) is an indispensable part of the AD system, strikingly shown by its tangible benefits as follows:
Data Browsing
Suppose you want to navigate the Active Directory memory and search for a specific parameter. In that case, the LDAP query will be activated and directed to the TCP/3269 SSL or TCP/ 3268 domain.
The nearest Global Catalog system will receive the data and give out a signal of undertaking a search for your needs on a scale of the whole Active Directory forest.
Authentication Function
Besides browsing for an object, the Global Catalog server is also good at authenticating the last logon time of a user. More specifically, It will resolve or perform some actions against accounts that have been inactive for a while, thanks to the authentication domain controller.
Certifying The Membership Allowance In AD Domains
This function is quite similar to the one mentioned above. When a user no longer has a sign of being active in the Active Directory forest, the authentication domain controller will check and verify that account.
The authentication controller will rely on SIDs to assess the personal user’s data, namely name, ID username, password, etc. After thoroughly examining, the account can be re-activated or contained in the AD group with a view to preventing hacking crimes.
And all of these steps are controlled by the headquartered Global Catalog in the Active Directory system, as it grasps and keeps users’ credentials at the forest level.
Examining References Towards Objects In Each Allowed AD Domain
Another great feature of the Global Catalog is to check object references in different AD domains. By accessing the attribute of an object, the GC can easily send a message to the domain controller system to check the link or similarity between two data sources.
Exchange The Address Book Browser
You need to know about the GAL. GAL (Global Address List) is directed by the LDAP Query. Its sole function is to search for a person with the active state and his email-activated objects, contact information, or distribution data in Outlook.
Therefore, when a user desires to reach the address book in Outlook, types in a Gmail, or inputs his private credentials, including name, address, or ID info, into the To field, Outlook will rely on the Global Catalog to exchange or locate DNS, thereby suiting users needs.
How To Activate Or Deactivate The GC In Active Directory?
Activation Guide
- Step 1: You need to activate your computer or laptop, which one you feel more familiar with. Additionally, it must also be installed on the Windows server.
- Step 2: Move over to the Active Directory.
- Step 3: You may see the “Start” button and hit it. Continue the step by choosing the “Microsoft Administration Tools.”
- Step 4: The AD menu will appear, and you need to scroll down before operating the “AD Sites and Services” snap-in.
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- Step 5: Select the “Sites” node, and you need to search for a site that entails your AD forest controller’s information. Afterward, expand it.
- Step 6: Right-click the “NTDS Settings” field and choose the “Properties” option.
- Step 7:Click the “General” icon and tick on the “Global Catalog” checkbox.
- Step 8: Press “Enter” to finish.
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Disable The Global Catalog Guide
You need to run the below script to disengage the GC:
Set_ADObject -Identity (Get_ADDomain.Controller DC02).ntd/settings.object_dn -Replace @{options=’0′}
The Bottom Line
Hopefully, you will get more helpful details about the Global Catalog Active Directory. Thanks for trusting our Trustguide website.
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