RootDSE

Each directory server has a unique entry called RootDSE. It provides data about the server, such as its capabilities, the LDAP version it supports, and the naming contexts it uses.

For example, to create a script, or application, that can run on any Windows 2000 domain environment. You can specify either the distinguished name, server name, or domain name when connecting to Active Directory. If you do not have this information, you can then use the RootDSE object to establish a connection. The following code example changes the domain description in any domain.

Set rootDSE = GetObject("LDAP://RootDSE")
Set dom = GetObject( "LDAP://" & rootDSE.Get("defaultNamingContext"))
dom.Put "description", "My domain"
dom.SetInfo

By getting the defaultNamingContext attribute from RootDSE, you can bind to the current domain, for example, the Fabrikam defaultNamingContext is DC=Fabrikam, DC=COM.

To enumerate the properties of the RootDSE, use the IADsPropertyList interface. IDirectoryObject cannot be used for this task.

For more information, see Serverless Binding and RootDSE.