Spot the difference

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Where is a question there is an answer (at least in most cases). This time question was “How to check schema extension introduces to a forest?” and it was asked on ActiveDir.org. There was even more than one answer … apparently some consultants are watching this list :).

So how we can capture what was changed in schema since it was established together with our forest.

(cc tobym)

One of option is using Schema Analyzer tool which comes with AD LDS (ADAM) as it is described on Ask DS Team blog. If we have AD LDS instance and LDFI file with schema we want to analyze it will allow us to get difference between target and base schema.  Easy but …

  • it requires access to AD LDS instance and LDIF file with schema
  • sometimes it is a bit overhead to get LDI file with difference and we require something easier.

So next approach, also not perfect but a bit simpler and in some cases might be good enough. Just take a(dfind.exe)ny LDAP query tool and query all schema including whenCreated in output. This attribute is replicated among all DCs and we can track date of creation of object. Simple example:

adfind -schema -f "(|(objectClass=attributeSchema)(objectClass=attributeClass))" ldapDisplayName whenCreated –adcsv

now redirect output to file … open it in Excel, sort it on whencreated collumn and voile…

Of course it is not perfect. Still it requires tool like Excel and it gives You only overview when attributes where created. And what about modifications?

In cases we need such information SchemaDiff.cmd script created by Dean Wells  (included in archive) comes handy. This tool is based on querying replication metadata and this will give You information about new and updated attributes. Let see how it works:

C:\Temp>SchemaDiff.cmd w2k.pl

SchemaDiff 1.1 / Dean Wells (dwells@msetechnology.com) – March 2006

STATUS – Working [review title bar for progression] …

       – Forest/schema creation timestamp: 2009-08-23 @ 22:51:06
       – base-schema has been MODIFIED since Forest creation
       – counting classSchema and attributeSchema instances: 1438
       – querying schema …

*MOD: CN=Schema,CN=Configuration,DC=w2k,DC=pl
       – schemaInfo…………………… {modified post-instantiation}

*MOD: CN=User,CN=Schema,CN=Configuration,DC=w2k,DC=pl
       – auxiliaryClass……………….. {modified post-instantiation}

+NEW: CN=AstContext,CN=Schema,CN=Configuration,DC=w2k,DC=pl
+NEW: CN=AstExtension,CN=Schema,CN=Configuration,DC=w2k,DC=pl

(…)

Done – 57 schema object(s) added, 4 schema object(s) modified
       in Forest "DC=w2k,DC=pl"

Quick, nice and easy … and no additional tools required (I don’t count repadmin.exe as an additional tool in AD environment).

In general best way to answer such question is to have implemented schema governance process in your environment. It doesn’t have to be something very complicated, sometimes simple file with some procedures is enough … or WSS site in more advanced case. Key is to stick to it and follow it. Think about it …