Searching Active Directory

Search is a key feature of Active Directory. Search enables you to find objects in Active Directory based on selection criteria (query) and to retrieve specified properties for the objects found.

Searching Active Directory is a matter of finding a Windows 2000 domain controller, binding to the object where to begin a search in the directory, submitting a query, and processing the results.

For more information about the search feature in Active Directory, see:

• Deciding What to Find
• Deciding Where to Search
• Choosing the Search Technology
• Creating a Query Filter
• Deciding Which Properties to Retrieve for Each Object Found
• Binding to the Search Start Point
• Specifying the Search Scope
• Specifying Other Search Options
• Processing the Search Results
• Effects of Security on Searching
• Creating Efficient Queries
• Referrals
• Enumerating Domain Controllers