What command would you use to test the default SSL LDAP port for Active Directory synchronization?

The use of the telnet command to test the default SSL LDAP port for Active Directory synchronization is appropriate because it specifically checks the connectivity to that port. In the context of Active Directory, port 636 is the designated port for secure LDAP (LDAPS) connections, which is essential for making sure that the synchronization between Sophos and Active Directory is secure and functioning properly.

By executing the command "telnet dc.sophos.local 636," you are attempting to establish a connection to the domain controller on the secure LDAP port. A successful connection indicates that the service is reachable and that there are no firewalls or network issues blocking access to this critical port, which is vital for secure data exchange.

In contrast, the other options – like ping, nslookup, and tracert – serve different purposes. Ping checks the reachability of a host but does not verify port-specific connectivity. Nslookup queries the DNS to resolve the domain name into an IP address but does not interact with the LDAP service or check port availability. Tracert is used to determine the route packets take to reach a host but does not validate the connection on a specific service port. Thus, using telnet on port 636 is essential for directly validating SSL LDAP connectivity to the