XCLN: How to Use Outlook Express Directory Service Accounts with Exchange 2000

If you use Outlook Express to search the Active Directory, the result of your query may be empty and you may receive the following message:

You must configure Outlook Express to use a global catalog (GC) server as the directory server. The GC server, however, listens for Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) queries on port 3268. You must change the default value on the Advanced tab of the Directory account and the search base must be set to "NULL" to receive any hints.

You may also want to change the maximum allowed number of entries that can be returned by the directory. Note that when you increase this value, the performance of the server may be impacted.

To create a directory service account with Outlook Express:

1. On the Tools menu, click Accounts.
2. Click Add, and then click Directory Service.
3. Type the name of an available GC server.
4. On the same page, choose whether you want to use this directory to check e-mail addresses for outgoing messages.
5. Click Accounts on the Tools menu, click Directory Service, click the account that you created, and then click Properties.
6. On the Advanced tab, type 3268 for the port number.
7. For the search base field, type NULL.
8. On the General tab, verify that the account has the proper rights.