Solved] retrieve information from Active Directory

[darktown]

Hi,

I would like to write a vb-code to retrieve information from our active directory. How do i do this?

I have tried 10 several codes, surfed the web and I just don't manage to do it.
I always have problems with the "Imports System.DirectoryServices", is underlined in green & using

directorysearcher or directoryentry does not work.

[Shuja Ali]

Can you post the code? And what is the exact error/warning message that you are getting?

Take a look at this article
http://channel9.msdn.com/Showpost.aspx?postid=132740

Have you added the reference to System.DirectoryServices.DLL from Add References menu option?

[darktown]

oh, thx for the info, i am trying some stuff now

[darktown]

okey, this works:

Dim objSearch As New DirectorySearcher()
        objSearch.SearchRoot = New DirectoryEntry("LDAP://verelst.nw", "jkhadmin", "Tidus05")
        objSearch.Filter = "(&(objectclass=user)(objectcategory=person))"
        objSearch.SearchScope = SearchScope.Subtree
        objSearch.PropertiesToLoad.Add("cn")
 
        Dim colQueryResults As SearchResultCollection
        colQueryResults = objSearch.FindAll()
 
        Dim objResult As SearchResult
        For Each objResult In colQueryResults
            Label1.Text += objResult.Properties("cn")(0) & vbCrLf
        Next

the question: where can i find a list of the attribute names so I can make a nice overview?

[Shuja Ali]

the question: where can i find a list of the attribute names so I can make a nice overview?

I did not understand what exactly dod you mean by attribute names.

[darktown]

Dim objSearch As New DirectorySearcher()
        objSearch.SearchRoot = New DirectoryEntry("LDAP://verelst.nw", "jkhadmin", "Tidus05")
        objSearch.Filter = "(&(objectclass=user)(objectcategory=person))"
        objSearch.SearchScope = SearchScope.Subtree
        objSearch.PropertiesToLoad.Add("cn")
        objSearch.PropertiesToLoad.AddRange(New String() {"cn", "sn", "test"})
 
        Dim colQueryResults As SearchResultCollection
        colQueryResults = objSearch.FindAll()
 
        Dim objResult As SearchResult
        For Each objResult In colQueryResults
            Label1.Text += "<br/>" & objResult.Properties("cn")(0) & "|" & objResult.GetDirectoryEntry().Properties("sAMAccountName").Value.ToString()
        Next

I mean "saMAccountName", I have searched the web but can't seem to find the attributename for the "companyname, telephone , website and others"..

When you look in the properties of a user in you AD, you"ll find these fields, i want to retrieve them & alter them.

I have found a way to retrieve them now, am looking how to retrieve all the fields I want & then I want to search & edit the ones I want


I have found this link: http://www.computerperformance.co.uk..._directory.htm

But it doesn't work.
Response.Write("|" & objResult.GetDirectoryEntry().Properties("mail").Value.ToString)

Get a "object not set to a reference" error.. use the "new" keyword ..

[darktown]

found a nice article and it works: http://forums.asp.net/thread/1309113.aspx
But i also want to be able to edit the field, there is a link but it's all in C-sharp and i don't understand it.

could someone explain & intergrate it in my code :

Dim filter As String = String.Format("(&(objectClass=user)(objectCategory=person)(sAMAccountName={0}))", Environment.UserName)
        Dim entry As New DirectoryEntry("LDAP://verelst.nw", "jkhadmin", "Tidus05")
        Dim searcher As New DirectorySearcher(entry, filter, New String() {"displayName", "streetAddress", "l", "st", "postalCode", "physicalDeliveryOfficeName", "mail"})
        Dim fullName As String = ""

        Try

            Dim result As SearchResult = searcher.FindOne()

            If Not IsNothing(result) Then

                If (result.Properties.Contains("displayName")) Then
                    lblName.Text = "Name"
                    txtCity.Text = result.Properties("displayName")(0).ToString
                End If

                If (result.Properties.Contains("streetAddress")) Then
                    lblAddress.Text = result.Properties("streetAddress")(0)
                End If

                If (result.Properties.Contains("l")) Then
                    lblcity.Text = result.Properties("l")(0)
                End If

                If (result.Properties.Contains("st")) Then
                    lblstate.Text = result.Properties("st")(0)
                End If

                If (result.Properties.Contains("postalCode")) Then
                    lblzip.Text = result.Properties("postalCode")(0)
                End If

                If (result.Properties.Contains("physicalDeliveryOfficeName")) Then
                    lblphone.Text = result.Properties("physicalDeliveryOfficeName")(0)
                End If

                If (result.Properties.Contains("mail")) Then
                    lblDesc.Text = result.Properties("mail")(0)
                End If
            End If

        Catch

            Throw

        Finally

            If Not (entry Is Nothing) Then

                entry.Dispose()

            End If

            If Not (searcher Is Nothing) Then
                searcher.Dispose()
            End If
        End Try

[Shuja Ali]

There are lot of converteres over there which can convert C# code in VB.NET and vice versa. Try one of those.

[darktown]

Don't bother found my solution

[BigPhil]

i like the way you have this coded. i am creating an app that uses the directorySearcher class and I had everything working great except if i wanted to view all the attributes for a large number of users the search would take FOREVER! this is the only code that i have seen that works nice and fast!!! this simple part is the code i am refering to...

result.Properties("displayName")(0).ToString

everything else if have seen calls the result.getdirectoryentry property which then returns all properties even if you specify to only load a specific set. not to mention when you do this it is slow, slow, slow!!!! thanks man!