How can I export the schema of my Active Directory forest?

It's very common for companies to have multiple forests that they need to merge, but before doing so they need to understand if there are differences in their schema configurations. Fortunately, you can export the schema configuration (which is common for all domains in a single forest) using the ldifde command, as shown below. Note that you pass the forest root domain in the command.

C:>ldifde -f SavSchema.ldif -d CN=Schema,CN=Configuration,DC=Savilltech,DC=NetConnecting to "SAVDALDC11.savilltech.net"Logging in as current user using SSPIExporting directory to file SavSchema.ldifSearching for entries...Writing out entries.....................................................................................................................................................................................................1550 entries exportedThe command has completed successfully

You can now use this file to compare your schema with another schema output or a live schema using various third party tools or the Active Directory Schema Analyzer utility, which I detailed in a previous FAQ.

Related Reading: