How do I get Active Directory Dynamic Distribution Groups using PrincipalContext?

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Writing a vb.net application that needs to display a list of Active Directory Dynamic Distribution Groups. The code below works when retrieving a list of groups - but returns nothing when I add the OU=DynamicDistributionGroups to the context definition. Can Dynamic Distribution Groups be obtained using the GroupPrincipal this way? Suggestions are welcome? Thanks

VB

Using ctx As New PrincipalContext 
  (ContextType.Domain, "MYLAN", "OU=DynamicDistributionGroups,OU=Email Groups,DC=mylan,DC=ac,DC=mycompany,DC=com")

   Dim pGroup As New GroupPrincipal(ctx)
   pGroup.Name = "*"
   Dim pSearcher As New PrincipalSearcher()
   pSearcher.QueryFilter = pGroup
   Dim results As PrincipalSearchResult(Of Principal) = pSearcher.FindAll()
   For Each p As Principal In results
       listGroup.Items.Add(p.ToString())
   Next
End Using

Posted 4-Sep-14 5:35am

Member 9428144

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2 solutions

Solution 1

You should first try to get all groups including the Dynamic Distribution Groups. I believe (without having the possibility to test it here) that you need to remove both OU's from your definition.

Then, you can check for each group if it's a SecurityGroup. If not, it's a Dynamic Distribution Group...

VB

Using ctx As New PrincipalContext 
  (ContextType.Domain, "MYLAN", "DC=mylan,DC=ac,DC=mycompany,DC=com")
 
   Dim pGroup As New GroupPrincipal(ctx)
   pGroup.Name = "*"
   Dim pSearcher As New PrincipalSearcher()
   pSearcher.QueryFilter = pGroup
   Dim results As PrincipalSearchResult(Of Principal) = pSearcher.FindAll()
   For Each p As Principal In results
       Dim gp As GroupPrincipal = p
       If Not gp.IsSecurityGroup Then listGroup.Items.Add(p.ToString())
   Next
End Using

Disclaimer: untested code, no VS and no AD here...

Posted 4-Sep-14 14:08pm

kbrandwijk

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Member 9428144 · Accepted Answer · 2014-09-05T03:53:00

Thanks for the proposed solution. I was however able to accomplish the task using DirectorySearcher rather than PrincipalContext as follows:

VB

Dim results As SearchResultCollection
Dim srch As New DirectorySearcher("LDAP://MYLAN/OU=DynamicDistributionGroups,OU=Email Groups,DC=mylan,DC=ac,DC=mycmpany,DC=com")
srch.Filter = "(objectClass=msExchDynamicDistributionList)"
srch.PropertiesToLoad.Add("displayName")
srch.PageSize = 1000
results = srch.FindAll()
For Each result As SearchResult In results
    Dim props As ResultPropertyCollection = result.Properties
    For Each propName As String In props.PropertyNames
        Dim groupName As String = props(propName)(0)
    Next
Next