XFOR: Dirsync Modifies Causing Names to Disappear from Exchange

Last reviewed: September 11, 1997
Article ID: Q151782

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Exchange Server, versions 4.0 and 5.0

SYMPTOMS

Names included in directory synchronization (dirsync) from a Microsoft Mail postoffice do not show up in the Microsoft Exchange Global Address List (GAL). Or, names from Microsoft Mail that were in the GAL disappear after a modify transaction that contains template information is received.

CAUSE

There is a logic error in handling template information in a modify transaction. This problem only occurs when the transaction is a modify and the second line of the transaction is template information over 32 characters in length, as in the following example:

   M Katie JordanMS:TOON/TOWN/WCOYOTE
   - Internal Mail Stop:/ Trey Research #86

NOTE: According to the Microsoft Mail dirsync specification, this example is a valid dirsync transaction.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, do one of the following:

Ensure that all modify transactions have two lines of address information and that template information always starts on line three, as in the following example:
```
      M Katie JordanMS:TOON/TOWN/KJORDAN
      Katie JordanMS:TOON/TOWN/KJORDAN
      - Internal Mail Stop:/ Trey Research #86
```

-OR-

Ensure that the first line of template information is less than 32 characters long.

The Microsoft Mail dirsync process by default will form modifies in this manner. The example described in the CAUSE section above can only happen when you are using either a manual IMPORT or a third-party dirsync product.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Exchange Server version 4.0. A supported fix is now available, but has not been fully regression-tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. Unless you are severely impacted by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next Service Pack that contains this fix. Contact Microsoft Technical Support for more information.

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Exchange Server version 5.0. This problem was corrected in the latest Microsoft Exchange 5.0 Server U.S. Service Pack. For information on obtaining the service pack, query on the following word in the Microsoft Knowledge Base (without the spaces):

   S E R V P A C K

Additional query words: dir-sync
Keywords : kbbug kbbug5.00 kbfix5.00.sp1 XFOR kbusage
Version : 4.0 5.0
Platform : WINDOWS

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Last reviewed: September 11, 1997
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