Determining Global Catalog Readiness

Applies To: Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2003 R2, Windows Server 2003 with SP1, Windows Server 2003 with SP2

After replication of the partial domain directory partitions, the domain controller advertises as a global catalog server and begins accepting queries. If the domain controller advertises as a global catalog server before it has complete information from all domains in the forest, it might return false information to applications that begin using the server for forest-wide searches. Determine if a domain controller is ready to begin advertising itself as a global catalog server using the procedures for this task.

Task Requirements

The following tools are required to perform the procedures for this task:

  • Ldp.exe

  • Nltest.exe

  • DNS snap-in

Note

The global catalog server must be restarted after replication has completed and before readiness is determined.

To complete this task, perform the following procedures:

  1. Verify global catalog readiness

  2. Verify global catalog DNS registrations