Azure AD Connect Requirements and Implementation Checklist

To set up Azure AD Connect, you'll need to meet some basic requirements. The server must be running Windows Server 2012 R2 or later, and have .NET Framework 4.5.2 or later installed.

Azure AD Connect can be installed on a domain-joined server or a workgroup server. However, if you're using a workgroup server, you'll need to configure it as a sync server.

Make sure the server has enough disk space to accommodate the AD DS database and the Azure AD sync database. A minimum of 10 GB of free disk space is recommended.

A domain account with the necessary permissions is also required for the installation process. This account must be a member of the Domain Admins group or have equivalent permissions.

To install and set up Azure AD Connect, you'll need to meet certain prerequisites.

First and foremost, ensure that your on-premises Active Directory domain joined server has network connectivity to Azure AD. This is the most important requirement, and without it, you won't be able to successfully install and set up Azure AD Connect.

To check network connectivity, make sure the Azure AD domain for your AD Connect installation and syncing has a green tick with the word "Healthy" in the Status column.

You'll also need an Azure subscription, which is mandatory to utilize Azure AD Connect. An on-premises server running Windows Server 2016 or later is also required, as well as a functional on-premises Active Directory to synchronize with Azure AD.

The Active Directory must be running a schema version and forest functional level of Windows Server 2003 or higher. Additionally, you'll need to ensure that the server where Azure AD Connect will be installed meets the system requirements, such as operating system compatibility, disk space, and memory.

Here are the minimum system requirements:

A verified domain name is also required for your Azure AD tenant.

The Azure AD Connect Server Must be Joined to Your On-prem AD Domain. This is a crucial step, as it ensures that the server is properly configured to sync with your on-premises Active Directory.

You'll need to have a Windows Server 2019 or later version installed, as older versions like Windows Server 2022 were not supported at the time of writing. Make sure to check for any updates before proceeding.

To configure the domain, you'll need to add your on-prem AD domain name to the Office 365 registered domain list and click the "Refresh" icon. This will allow the Azure AD Domain column to show as Verified, enabling proper syncing.

Before you start the Azure AD Connect installation, you need to ensure that your internal DNS resolves all relevant domain names in your Microsoft 365 Admin center account.

To check this, visit the Microsoft 365 admin center and navigate to the Domains page, which can be accessed by visiting https://admin.microsoft.com/AdminPortal/Home#/Domains in a new browser tab.

Your default Office 365 domain name should show a "Health" status in the Status column, and you should also see your on-premises AD domain name listed.

If your default Office 365 domain name shows errors, fix it before proceeding.

You should also add your on-premises AD domain name to your Azure AD domain name list if it's not already there.

To confirm that your local DNS server resolves these domain names, open the command prompt on the server you plan to install Azure AD Connect.

Enter the nslookup command and press Enter to open the nslookup prompt.

Then, enter the domain names one at a time and press Enter, and the nslookup command prompt should display the Fully Qualified domain name of the domain and its IP address.

If you successfully resolve the names from the server you plan to install Azure AD Connect, you can proceed to the next requirement check.

You can sync specific domains and OUs to Azure AD, which is a great way to control what gets synced and what doesn't.

The default setting is to sync all domains and OUs, but you can select the "Sync selected domains and OUs" option to customize it. This allows you to choose which containers you want to sync.

In my setup, I'm syncing only one OU – the "Writers" OU. This helps to reduce the amount of data being synced and makes it easier to manage.

Azure AD Connect selects "Sync all domains and OUs" by default, but you can choose to sync specific domains and OUs to Azure AD.

By syncing specific domains and OUs, you can avoid syncing unnecessary data and reduce the risk of errors.

To configure domain and OU filtering, you can use the Azure AD Connect wizard, which guides you through the process.

You can filter based on organizational units, domains, and specific attributes to control which users and groups are synced to Azure AD.

Synchronizing specific domains and OUs can also help to improve performance and reduce the load on your on-premises Active Directory.

This is especially important for large directories or complex Active Directory structures, where syncing everything can be overwhelming.

The Difference Between Azure AD Connect sync and Azure AD Connect cloud sync is a crucial aspect of domain configuration.

Microsoft provides two technologies to connect your resources to their cloud resources. The older software called Azure AD Connect sync connects your existing Active Directory infrastructure.

It's worth noting that the newer Azure AD Connect cloud sync will be the de-facto synchronization tool going forward once the feature set between the two is more comparable.

Azure AD Connect cloud sync uses the Azure AD cloud provisioning agent, which is less impactful on your network and better for performance.

This makes it a more suitable option for modern domain configurations, especially for those with high network demands.

To set up Azure AD Connect, you'll need to follow a series of steps, starting with installing and setting up the software in a production environment. Ensure you've followed the prerequisite guidelines outlined in the previous section before proceeding.

Before configuring Azure AD sign-in options, you must add your on-prem AD domain name to the Office 365 domain page and refresh the page. This will allow the Azure AD installation and configuration wizard to verify the domain name.

You can choose to sync all domains and OUs or select specific containers to sync. By default, Azure AD Connect selects "Sync all domains and OUs", but you can customize this setting to suit your organization's needs.

Here are the key installation options to consider:

Remember to choose an installation type that aligns with your organization's requirements, and don't forget to review and accept the license terms and conditions during the installation process.

Before you install Azure AD Connect, you need to ensure your PowerShell Execution Policy is set correctly.

The Azure AD Connect installation wizard runs signed PowerShell scripts, so the Execution Policy must be configured to allow those scripts to run.

To check the current ExecutionPolicy on the server, run the Get-ExecutionPolicy command on a PowerShell console.

If the command returns "RemoteSigned", then you're good to go.

Otherwise, use group policy to set ExecutionPolicy to "RemoteSigned" by navigating to Computer Configuration -> Policies -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows PowerShell.

Configuration is a critical step in setting up Azure AD Connect. You must ensure that the domain controller for Azure AD is writable, as Azure AD does not support read-only domain controllers.

To configure Azure AD Connect, you need to decide on the installation type: Express or Custom. Express setup is suitable for environments with a single Active Directory forest and less than 100,000 objects, while Custom setup is necessary for deployments with multiple on-premises AD forests or more than 100,000 objects in a single forest.

The configuration wizard guides you through the process, allowing you to specify the domain controllers to use for synchronization and filtering options to control which users and groups are synchronized to Azure AD.

You can filter based on organizational units, domains, and specific attributes. Synchronization schedules can be configured to ensure that changes in your on-premises Active Directory are regularly and promptly reflected in Azure AD.

The initial synchronization process may take some time to complete, especially for organizations with large directories. Azure AD Connect is designed to handle this scenario efficiently.

Here are the key configuration options and custom settings:

Attribute mapping and transformations can be fine-tuned to ensure that user attributes align with your organization's needs and security policies.

To empower other users to access the sync engine, add them to the ADSyncAdmins group on the local server. However, it's essential to be judicious when expanding this group due to the power of the tool.

Here's a summary of the key configuration options:

Remember to keep a close eye on who can use the tool and develop a thorough installation plan to ensure a smooth deployment.

To download the Azure AD Connection MSI installation file, click the Microsoft Azure Active Directory Connect download link from the domain-joined Windows server where you plan to install AD Connect.

From this link, you'll be able to click the Download link to download the MSI package file, which will start the download process.

This MSI package file will be the foundation for your AD Connect installation, so make sure you save it to a secure location on your server.

Limiting on-premise firewall traffic is a crucial step in securing your network.

You can limit traffic between your network and the Cloud synchronization process by blocking specific URLs and ports. Microsoft documents that this process primarily goes through port 80 and port 443.

Firewall logs are essential in reviewing and limiting traffic as needed. It's a good idea to take the time to review these logs and adjust your firewalls accordingly.

If you use geographic IP filtering, you may need to allow connections to Microsoft servers. This requires adjusting your firewalls to accommodate the necessary connections.

Optional features can be added as required during the installation process. To read about each feature, click the help icon.

The “Start the synchronization process when configuration completes” checkbox is checked by default, but it's recommended to also check the “Enable staging mode” checkbox in a production environment.

Azure AD Connect supports advanced Active Directory deployments, including multi-forest scenarios, allowing synchronization from multiple Active Directory forests to Azure AD.

On the final page of the configuration process, you'll have the chance to add some extra features to your setup. To learn more about each feature, click the help icon for a detailed explanation.

The "Start the synchronization process when configuration completes" checkbox is checked by default, which is usually the best option. If you're installing in a production environment, consider also checking the "Enable staging mode" checkbox for added security.

Group writeback and device registration are two optional features of Azure AD Connect that can enhance your hybrid identity solution. Group writeback allows groups created in Azure AD to be synchronized back to the on-premises Active Directory.

This feature is particularly useful for organizations with complex group structures or those that need to manage groups across multiple domains. Azure AD Connect supports group writeback, making it easier to maintain consistency between your cloud and on-premises environments.

Device registration is another optional feature that ensures seamless integration of devices into your hybrid identity solution. With device registration, devices can be enrolled and managed within Azure AD, making it easier to secure and manage your devices.

Azure AD Connect supports device registration, allowing you to take advantage of Azure AD's device management capabilities. This includes features like conditional access, which ensures that only authorized devices can access your organization's resources.

Verify network connectivity and firewall settings before implementing Azure AD Connect, ensuring required ports and protocols are allowed through firewalls and there's reliable communication between on-premises Active Directory and Azure AD.

Network connectivity is a critical aspect of Azure AD Connect. A secure and robust network setup is fundamental for a successful implementation.

Regularly review synchronization results and error reports to maintain a healthy hybrid identity environment. Timely detection and resolution of issues ensure user identities and access controls remain consistent and secure.

To ensure minimal disruption in case of a failure or reinstall, regularly back up your Azure AD Connect configuration settings and customizations. Backups of your configuration settings and customizations can be quickly restored in the event of a failure or the need to reinstall Azure AD Connect.

Implementing Single Sign-On (SSO) Experience is a game-changer for users, eliminating the need to remember multiple passwords for on-premises and cloud resources.

Azure AD Connect provides a seamless SSO experience, optimizing user experience and security by reducing the overhead of password management.

With SSO, users can log in once and Azure AD handles authentication for all connected services.

This means users can access all their resources with just one set of credentials, making their lives easier and more productive.

By implementing SSO, you can reduce helpdesk calls and improve user satisfaction, leading to increased productivity and efficiency in your organization.

Azure AD Connect ensures that users only need to remember one password, making it easier for them to stay secure and compliant with password policies.

Before diving into the setup of Azure AD Connect, it's essential to consider established best practices. This includes verifying network connectivity and firewall settings to ensure reliable communication between your on-premises Active Directory and Azure AD.

Ensure that the required ports and protocols are allowed through firewalls, as network connectivity is a critical aspect of Azure AD Connect.

Reviewing synchronization results and error reports is crucial for maintaining a healthy hybrid identity environment. This involves ongoing monitoring and timely detection and resolution of issues to ensure user identities and access controls remain consistent and secure.

Regularly backing up your Azure AD Connect configuration settings and customizations is also vital. In the event of a failure or the need to reinstall Azure AD Connect, having backups of your configuration ensures that you can quickly restore your synchronization setup, minimizing disruption.

Here are the key best practices to keep in mind:

Remember, a secure and robust network setup is fundamental for a successful implementation of Azure AD Connect.

Synchronizing on-premises admin groups to Azure AD is unnecessary and introduces unnecessary risk.

By syncing admin groups, you're exposing them to more prying eyes, which can lead to phishing or other attacks.

The purpose of on-premises admin groups, such as Domain Admins, is to enable management of the on-premises directory.

Use the filtering capability to exclude all admin groups from the sync to avoid this risk.

This is a critical step in ensuring the security of your hybrid identity solution.