How to specify domain controller using PrincipalContext?

Question

Hello,

I am developing an MVC 5 application that needs to implement active directory authentication.

I am stuck at this instruction:

PrincipalContext principalContext = new PrincipalContext(authenticationType,   
                Properties.Settings.Default.AD_NombreServidor,   
                $"OU={Properties.Settings.Default.AD_OrganizationUnit}, DC={Properties.Settings.Default.AD_Dominio}, DC={Properties.Settings.Default.AD_Sufijo}");  

his does not work, so I am wondering if I am doing the right way.

Properties.Settings.Default.AD_NombreServidor is the domain controller (name or IP).

Is it right how I am calling that function? if It isn't, how is it the right way?

Thanks
Jaime

Answer 1

Hi @Jaime Stuardo ,
I suggest you look at the documentation for the PrincipalContext constructor, it should be clear:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/dotnet/api/system.directoryservices.accountmanagement.principalcontext.-ctor?view=dotnet-plat-ext-6.0#system-directoryservices-accountmanagement-principalcontext-ctor(system-directoryservices-accountmanagement-contexttype-system-string-system-string)

public PrincipalContext(ContextType contextType, string name, string container)  

So you basically need:

• your context type(Connect to domain (using ContextType.Domain))
• the domain name(The name part of this principal context can be set to an IP address of a domain controller.)
• optionally a container

For example:

new PrincipalContext(ContextType.Domain, "xyz.mycorp.com:****", "DC=mycorp,DC=com");  
new PrincipalContext(ContextType.Domain, "mycompany.local", "OU=Marketing,OU=Operations,OU=Applications,DC=mycompany,DC=local");  

Best regards,
Lan Huang

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