DirectorySearcher Filter

Question

When I run this query

// Next row is used to login to AD
DirectoryEntry entry = GetEntry(domain, adminUser, adminPassword);
// Here starts the query
DirectorySearcher search = new DirectorySearcher(entry)
{
    SearchScope = SearchScope.Subtree,
    Filter = "(&" +
        "(objectClass=user)" +
        // "(distinguishedname=*OU=Ingegneria*)" +
        "(givenname=s*)" +
        "(samaccountname=*100)" +
    ")"
};
search.PropertiesToLoad.Add("distinguishedname");
SearchResultCollection result = search.FindAll();

I get six entries and that's correct.
All records, if I use record.GetDirectoryEntry() have

distinguishedname: CN=xxx,OU=Utenti,OU=Ingegneria,DC=xxx,DC=xxx

Anyway if I remove comment on distinguishedname part of the filter, I get zero entries!!
I also tried to use search.PropertiesToLoad.Add("distinguishedname"); without luck.
How can I search distinguishedname in filter?

UPDATE:
If I try to use "(distinguishedname=*)" + in filter , I still get six records, so I think I can search on distinguishedname...
UPDATE2:
I also tried to use code in Search Active Directory for an OU using a partial path to the OU :

Filter = "(&(objectClass=user)(ou=Ingegneria))";

but I have zero entries (I got two if I remove (objectClass=user) part)

Answer 1

If you want to query just that then you should bind to that container in your initial connect:

// Next row is used to login to AD
string ldapPath = "LDAP://OU=Ingegneria,DC=xxx,DC=xxx";
DirectoryEntry searchRoot = GetEntry(ldapPath, adminUser, adminPassword);

// Here starts the query
DirectorySearcher search = new DirectorySearcher(searchRoot)
{
    SearchScope = SearchScope.Subtree,
    Filter = "(&" +
        "(objectClass=user)" +
        "(givenname=s*)" +
        "(samaccountname=*100)" +
    ")"
};

search.PropertiesToLoad.Add("distinguishedname");
SearchResultCollection result = search.FindAll();

That way, you also massively reduce the space in AD that needs to be searched, thus speeding up your search.

And if you're using .NET 3.5 or newer, you can use a PrincipalSearcher and a "query-by-example" principal to do your searching:

// create your domain context
PrincipalContext ctx = new PrincipalContext(ContextType.Domain, "YOURDOMAIN", "OU=Ingegneria,DC=xxx,DC=xxx");

// define a "query-by-example" principal - here, we search for a UserPrincipal 
UserPrincipal qbeUser = new UserPrincipal(ctx);
qbeUser.GivenName = "s*";
qbeUser.SamAccountName = "*100";

// create your principal searcher passing in the QBE principal    
PrincipalSearcher srch = new PrincipalSearcher(qbeUser);

// find all matches
foreach(var found in srch.FindAll())
{
    // do whatever here - "found" is of type "Principal"
    UserPrincipal userFound = found as UserPrincipal;

    if(userFound != null)
    {
       // do something with your user principal here....
    }
}

If you haven't already - absolutely read the MSDN article Managing Directory Security Principals in the .NET Framework 3.5 which shows nicely how to make the best use of the new features in System.DirectoryServices.AccountManagement