In .NET 2.0, a variety of new search operations are included in the DirectorySearcher class. However, not all of these options work with every single version of ADSI on each Windows platform. For example, Windows XP as of Service Pack 2, and all previous operating systems, does not support extended distinguished name (DN) searches (see Chapter 5).
Trying to use an unsupported search feature will result in this exception with the stack trace pointing to the DoSearchPrefs method. Unfortunately, the error message does not explain that the option was unsupported on our platform, so we are often left scratching our heads. Now we know!
A future version of the .NET Framework may provide a more informative error message here. Additionally, future versions of the ADSI that are included with Windows service packs may introduce these features to down-level clients.
Part I: Fundamentals
Introduction to LDAP and Active Directory
Introduction to .NET Directory Services Programming
Binding and CRUD Operations with DirectoryEntry
Searching with the DirectorySearcher
Advanced LDAP Searches
Reading and Writing LDAP Attributes
Active Directory and ADAM Schema
Security in Directory Services Programming
Introduction to the ActiveDirectory Namespace
Part II: Practical Applications
User Management
Group Management
Authentication
Part III: Appendixes
Appendix A. Three Approaches to COM Interop with ADSI
Appendix B. LDAP Tools for Programmers
Appendix C. Troubleshooting and Help
Index