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DSquery - AD query in windows 2k3 and 2k8

Hi All
I am wondering if anyone came cross this and can help,

Normally if I was to do search for server in windows 2003 AD, let’s say server called serverA, I can do normal search in AD (GUI) but it does not show the exact location of the server i.e. it shows that server exist in AD but not exact location i.e. in which OU is server located. If I have let’s say 100 of OUs or more then it is REALLY hard work trying to go through every OU and do search!!

I need this for windows 2003 and 2008, I have not experimented with windows 2008 R2 and I am hoping it does have feature in it that makes it easy i.e. I mean MS have addressed this issue and made it easy in windows 2008 and windows 2008R2

I am aware of dsquery command.

Thanks for your time and effort

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Krzysztof Pytko

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linuxhunts

ASKER

Hi iSiek

You are gun!! it was so simple yet so sweet, however before i close this and reward you full points, can you please tell me how i can copy and paste the location of the servers in AD i.e. i have been asked to write down the exact location of at leaset 500 servers with no spelling mistakes or missing under line etc as part of project.

However when i look at the location of some server as you indicated in your answer, oh my God it is so long and i am sure i will be making typo errors. When i right click i cannot copy the location!!

is there way i can copy and paste the location in notepad or winword etc

many Thanks

Krzysztof Pytko

yes it is possible, but unfortunatelly use have to use DSQUERY command :)

First of all, prepare text file with all those names (one name per line) and save it as servers.txt

Now, preapre bat or cmd file

@echo off
for /f %%i in (servers.txt) dsquery computer -name %%i | dsget computer -samid -dn >c:\list_ou.txt

Log on to server or machine with administrative tools installed and run in command-line that batch file. Then on C-Drive you should see the results.

You can import them into Excel and prepare for better look :]

Krzysztof Pytko

you can also use "Custom search" in Active Directory Users and Computers console in "Advance" tab place this code

(objectCategory=Computer)(objectClass=Computer)(operatingSystem=*Server*)

and you can export list but without location :/

Krzysztof Pytko

I think I have a better solution for you :)
Download ADFIND from http://www.joeware.net/freetools/tools/adfind/index.htm
and extract it let's say c:\ADFIND and from command-line type

c:\
cd adfind
c:\>ADFIND\adfind -default -f "&(objectCategory=Computer)(objectClass=Computer)(operatingSystem=*Server*)" samaccountname -csv -tdca > c:\Servers.csv

above command is a single line!

It exports all servers into CSV file.

Krzysztof Pytko

you don't have to use -tdca switch

linuxhunts

ASKER

Hi iSiek

thanks for your time and effort, i managed to find the answer i was looking for and here i am sharing it with everyone just in case in future someone needs it. It is really as simply as your first answer but with ability to copy and paste the location

-In AD go to view and enable advance features
- Do search in AD under FQDN as per usual, once server you looking for appears,
-Right click on server and go properties
-In properties box you will see OBJECT TAB - click on it and oops it is there

Welll have to admit Microsoft did think well it is me who was not thinking :>)

Anyway iSiek i will reward you the points for your answer one and extra effort and time

many thanks again

linuxhunts

ASKER

The Solution i was looking for is the one i wrote in my last comments

Krzysztof Pytko

Thank you :) I was thinking about automated solution :] But thanks for remark :)