Definition of Global Address List (GAL) in Network Encyclopedia.

What is GAL (Global Address List)?

GAL (Global Address List) is a list of all recipients in a Microsoft Exchange Server organization. The Exchange directory service maintains the Global Address List (GAL) in the Exchange directory database. The GAL typically contains

• Mailboxes
• Custom recipients
• Distribution lists

The GAL can be accessed by

• The Exchange Administrator program
• Microsoft-based messaging clients using Messaging Application Programming Interface (MAPI), such as Microsoft Outlook
• Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) clients using TCP/IP, such as Microsoft Outlook Express
• Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) clients such as Web browsers using Outlook Web Access

NOTE

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Public folders are the only form of Exchange recipient not contained within the GAL.