XADM: Creating a New Global Address List with Custom Search by Using the LDAP Filter

It is possible to have more than one Global Address List; however, clients can typically gain access to only one of these Global Address Lists. This article describes how to use Exchange System Manager or the ADSI Edit snap-in to create a Global Address List with a custom search.

When you cannot obtain the Address List that you want by using the options in the Exchange filter screen, you can use a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) query to create a custom search.

There are two methods that you can use to run an LDAP query to create a custom search.

Exchange System Manager Method

To use Exchange System Manager to run an LDAP query to create a custom search:

1. Open the New Address List dialog box.
2. In the Find box, click Custom Search.
3. Click the Advanced tab.
4. Enter the LDAP query.

This query field is limited and may not be sufficient for the length of the LDAP query that you want to perform. In such cases, use the second method, which requires that you use ADSI Edit.

ADSI Edit Method

WARNING: If you use the ADSI Edit snap-in, the LDP utility, or any other LDAP version 3 client, and you incorrectly modify the attributes of Active Directory objects, you can cause serious problems. These problems may require you to reinstall Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server, or both. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems that occur if you incorrectly modify Active Directory object attributes can be solved. Modify these attributes at your own risk.

To use ADSI Edit to run an LDAP query to create a custom search:

1. Start ADSI Edit.
2. In the All Global Address Lists container, locate the newly created Address List.
3. Open the properties of the Address List object.
4. In the select a property to view list, click purportedsearch.
5. Enter the LDAP query that you want to process, and then set that value.
6. Click OK, and then force replication if necessary.