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Requesting assistance to understand two apparently contradictory statements from autodiscover concepts in the book Mastering Microsoft Exchange Server 2013 by David Elfassy. In chapter 6, while explaining the service connection point the author has mentioned “if the client search returns multiple SCP objects that the client will use, it will select among them according to alphabetic order.” [page 155]
However, under two step-by-step examples it is written “If there are multiple matching SCP objects, Outlook simply chooses the oldest SCP record since the list is not sorted in any particular order”. [page 157]
Please clarify as the two statements appear contradictory to me although I am pretty sure I am missing something.
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Hi @Anonymous
Just checking in to see if above information was helpful. Please let us know if you would like further assistance.
The answer offers a new perspective.
When an Outlook client from a domain-joined computer starts LDAP search in Active Directory for SCP records, it is my understanding that two sets of records (of client access servers) are created. One based on matching site value (as the computer) in keyword attribute and another for non-matching. Does Outlook sort the first list (with matching site value) in alphabetic order and if no matching records are found chooses the oldest record from the non-matching list? This is a theoretical question which may not have relevance to actual deployments, or is it? Kindly point me to any (preferably) Microsoft article where the Autodiscover request flow is depicted in detail, for example 401 response.
For Autodiscover lookups from outside the network, is the authentication handled by Client access servers? I would also appreciate a good article on how Exchange, especially client access role and IIS work together or if you can explain it yourself.
Looking forward to unlearning and relearning.
Here is a link which may be helpful: White Paper: Exchange 2007 Autodiscover Service
It is about Exchange 2007 but also apply to later Exchange versions.
One based on matching site value (as the computer) in keyword attribute and another for non-matching. Does Outlook sort the first list (with matching site value) in alphabetic order and if no matching records are found chooses the oldest record from the non-matching list?
I suppose you mean in-site list and out-of-site list.
You can see the related information in this part:
For Autodiscover lookups from outside the network, is the authentication handled by Client access servers?
Yes. The whole process is:
These are really two different things.
Number 2 would apply if you have all the Exchange Servers in a load balancer for example.