Exchange 2013 Global Address List

I had this question after viewing Commannds needed to force the update of the Global address list in exch 2013.


After creating new Distribution Groups, through CAS webgui we see the change.
Outlooks however dont update, if we delete oab files we do see the change, but once we download offline we dont see the change anymore.

We ran:
Get-GlobalAddressList | Update-GlobalAddressList

Get-OfflineAddressBook | Update-OfflineAddressBook

and also restarted Mailbox Assistant Services, still no luck.

They dont show up under Global Address list, but shows up properly under All Distribution Lists after its downloaded offline.
itmtiAsked:
Who is Participating?

[Product update] Infrastructure Analysis Tool is now available with Business Accounts.Learn More

x
I wear a lot of hats...

"The solutions and answers provided on Experts Exchange have been extremely helpful to me over the last few years. I wear a lot of hats - Developer, Database Administrator, Help Desk, etc., so I know a lot of things but not a lot about one thing. Experts Exchange gives me answers from people who do know a lot about one thing, in a easy to use platform." -Todd S.

Todd NelsonSystems EngineerCommented:
OAB updates are made, on the Exchange server, automatically once every 24 hours--typically between 3am-5am local time.  The Outlook client will need to be closed (if left open) and then reopened for those changes to be realized in Outlook when cache mode is enabled.

Alternately, after perfoming the steps you outlined in your question, from the Outlook client you can select "Send/Receive" from the toolbar, click "Send/Receive Groups", and choose "Download Address Book". Then disable the option to "Download changes since last Send/Receive" and click OK. This action will download the full (and most current) address book for the individual Outlook user.

As a last resort, you can disable cache mode in Outlook so your users see the live address book from Exchange. However, that will create a lot of traffic on the server as now the Outlook users will be making constant requests to the Exchange server and experience latency when viewing items.

Hope this helps.

Experts Exchange Solution brought to you by

Your issues matter to us.

Facing a tech roadblock? Get the help and guidance you need from experienced professionals who care. Ask your question anytime, anywhere, with no hassle.

Start your 7-day free trial
suriyaehnopCommented:
Like Todd said OAB by default run at 3-5am. You can force by running update-addresslist

Although it is done, sometime you will not see the changes in outlook immediately eventhough you manually re-download the address list. It will take at least another 2 days, outlook totally sync with exchange

If you want to take effect immediately, you have to delete/rename the file with extension .oab (rename to .oab1)
itmtiAuthor Commented:
[PS] C:\Windows\system32>get-mailboxserver exchserver | fl *oab*


OABGeneratorWorkCycle           : 02:00:00
OABGeneratorWorkCycleCheckpoint : 00:30:00



[PS] C:\Windows\system32>




I have increased to every 2 hours, but outlook clients still download when they feel like it.   If we do force Download Address book it works, but we cant just instruct hundreds of users to do so every time when changes are done.
this slow gal update has been issue since the beginning, wish microsoft would address this issue.   We are running latest Exch2013 patches and latest Outlook2016, but still same issues unfortunately.

It seems to be correct it takes about 2 days for outlook to figure itself out.
It's more than this solution.Get answers and train to solve all your tech problems - anytime, anywhere.Try it for free Edge Out The Competitionfor your dream job with proven skills and certifications.Get started today Stand Outas the employee with proven skills.Start learning today for free Move Your Career Forwardwith certification training in the latest technologies.Start your trial today
Exchange

From novice to tech pro — start learning today.