Verify Global Catalog Readiness

Applies To: Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2008 R2

When a global catalog server has satisfied replication requirements, the isGlobalCatalogReady rootDSE attribute is set to TRUE, and the global catalog is ready to serve clients. You can use this procedure to verify global catalog readiness.

Membership in Domain Users and the right to log on locally to a domain controller is the minimum required to complete this procedure. By default, members of Account Operators, Administrators, Enterprise Admins, Domain Admins, Backup Operators, Print Operators, and Server Operators have the right to log on locally to a domain controller. 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

1. Click Start, click Run, type Ldp, and then click OK.

2. On the Connection menu, click Connect.

3. In Connect, type the name of the server whose global catalog readiness you want to verify.

4. In Port, if 389 is not showing, type 389.

5. If the Connectionless check box is selected, clear it, and then click OK.

6. In the details pane, verify that the isGlobalCatalogReady attribute has a value of TRUE.

7. On the Connection menu, click Disconnect, and then close Ldp.

To verify global catalog readiness using a command prompt

1. Open a Command Prompt.

2. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

   nltest /server:<servername> /dsgetdc:<domainname>

   Parameter	Description
   <servername>	Specifies the name of the domain controller that you have designated as a global catalog server.
   <domainname>	Specifies the name of the domain to which the server belongs.

3. In the Flags: line of the output, if GC appears, the global catalog server has satisfied its replication requirements.