Which service allows locating objects from any domain using a cross-domain catalog?

Which service allows locating objects from any domain using a cross-domain catalog?

• A. DHCP
• B. DNS
• C. Global Catalog Service
• D. SMTP

Answer: (C)

Locating objects from any domain across a forest relies on a component that maintains a forest-wide, searchable index of directory objects. The Global Catalog Service does this by storing a partial replica of every object from every domain in the forest, enabling fast searches across domain boundaries. This means you can query for users, groups, or computers regardless of which domain they reside in, and the catalog will surface matches efficiently. The Global Catalog is replicated across domain controllers designated as GC servers and responds to cross-domain search requests, typically using specific ports (3268 for standard queries and 3269 for TLS). DHCP is about assigning IP addresses automatically, not about locating directory objects. DNS maps names to IP addresses and helps with resolving names and locating domain controllers, but it doesn’t provide a cross-domain catalog of objects. SMTP handles email delivery.

Locating objects from any domain across a forest relies on a component that maintains a forest-wide, searchable index of directory objects. The Global Catalog Service does this by storing a partial replica of every object from every domain in the forest, enabling fast searches across domain boundaries. This means you can query for users, groups, or computers regardless of which domain they reside in, and the catalog will surface matches efficiently. The Global Catalog is replicated across domain controllers designated as GC servers and responds to cross-domain search requests, typically using specific ports (3268 for standard queries and 3269 for TLS).

DHCP is about assigning IP addresses automatically, not about locating directory objects. DNS maps names to IP addresses and helps with resolving names and locating domain controllers, but it doesn’t provide a cross-domain catalog of objects. SMTP handles email delivery.