Curated port reference

Port 3268: Active Directory Global Catalog / msft-gc (UDP reference coverage)

Port 3268 supports Active Directory Global Catalog and msft-gc (UDP reference coverage) across distinct transports. Review each protocol before writing firewall or monitoring policy.

3268TCP

Active Directory Global Catalog

Global Catalog directory queries across an Active Directory forest.

Typical use

Forest-wide object searches, universal group membership lookups and applications querying the Global Catalog.

Traffic direction

Client to server

Security considerations

Keep the directory path restricted to approved clients and domain networks; use the TLS-protected listener on 3269 when the application supports it.

Active DirectoryLightweight Directory Access Protocol

Official reference

3268UDP

msft-gc (UDP reference coverage)

msft-gc (UDP reference coverage) is documented as a network service convention for port 3268 over UDP.

Typical use

Use this reference entry when identifying or validating systems documented to use 3268/UDP.

Traffic direction

Varies

Security considerations

Confirm the listening process and current vendor documentation before permitting traffic; a listed convention does not prove the active service or its security posture.

Official reference

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