Azure AD Connect Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials for Hybrid Identity

Azure AD Connect for Windows Server 2012 R2 Essentials is a crucial component for implementing hybrid identity.

This setup allows you to synchronize on-premises Active Directory identities with Azure Active Directory, providing seamless integration between your local and cloud-based environments.

One key aspect is the ability to use the Azure AD Sync tool, which was a predecessor to Azure AD Connect, to synchronize identities.

The Azure AD Connect setup is relatively straightforward, requiring minimal technical expertise to implement.

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You can choose between express and custom install during the installation process, and it defaults to using express, which is the most common option.

The installation can take several minutes to complete, so be patient.

Click on the "Configure" button on the "Ready to configure" screen to proceed with the installation.

It's worth noting that the express install is the most common choice.

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To set up Azure AD Connect on Windows Server 2012 R2, you'll need to download the Azure AD Connect installation package from the Microsoft Download Center.

First, ensure that your server meets the system requirements, which include a 64-bit edition of Windows Server 2012 R2, a minimum of 2 GB of RAM, and a 64-bit processor.

You can then run the Azure AD Connect installation package and follow the installation wizard to complete the setup.

When choosing between Azure AD Connect Express and Custom Install, it's essential to consider the default setting. Azure AD Connect Express is the default installation type.

The Azure AD Connect Express is the most common installation type, making it a great choice for many users. This is because it's a straightforward and easy-to-use option.

However, there are some key differences between the two installation types. The custom install option allows for more configuration options, but it's also more complex.

Azure AD Connect Express defaults to using the express installation, which is a simple and hassle-free process. This makes it a great choice for users who want to get up and running quickly.

If you're looking for more control over the installation process, the custom install option may be a better fit. This option allows you to configure your installation to meet your specific needs.

In general, the express installation is a good choice for most users, but the custom install option is worth considering if you need more control over the installation process.

Automatic upgrades in Azure AD Connect are no longer available in unsupported conditions, which can leave organizations stuck with troubled versions.

Azure AD Connect installations running on Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 previously had automatic upgrades disabled, and now this measure has been applied to Azure AD Connect installations running on older versions of the .NET Framework as well.

If you've upgraded the Operating System underneath your Azure AD Connect v2 installation, you might find that it no longer automatically upgrades to newer versions.

For many admins, Azure AD Connect is a 'fire and forget' type of installation, which can cause problems if automatic upgrades are unavailable.

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To set up Azure Cloud Sync, you'll need to follow these steps. First, start the Azure AD Connect install, which can take several minutes to complete.

On the ready to configure screen, click configure. This will begin the installation process.

You'll then need to connect to your on-premises Active Directory using the credentials of an enterprise administrator account.

These credentials are used to create the local Active Directory account that is used for synchronization.

As you progress through the setup, you'll reach a step where you can choose whether to sync all OUs or not. If you don't want to sync all OUs, you can uncheck the option to start the synchronization process when configuration completes.

However, if you keep this option checked, it will sync all objects from your on-premises Active Directory.

To troubleshoot any issues that may arise, you can refer to the following common problems:

For more detailed information on troubleshooting object synchronization with Azure AD Connect sync, see the Microsoft article.

Azure Issues can be frustrating, but there are some common problems to watch out for.

If you're experiencing issues with Azure AD Connect, you'll want to check for UPN mismatches, which can occur if the object is synced to Azure AD.

Domain filtering can also cause problems, so make sure to check if the object is filtered due to domain filtering.

Organizational unit (OU) filtering is another potential issue, so be sure to check if the object is filtered due to OU filtering.

Linked mailboxes can also block object sync, so check if the object sync is blocked due to a linked mailbox.

Dynamic distribution groups can also cause issues, so check if the object is in a dynamic distribution group that isn’t intended to be synced.

To troubleshoot connectivity issues, you'll want to ensure the server running Azure AD Connect has full connectivity to your domain controllers.

This means opening the necessary Active Directory Firewall ports between the servers.

You'll also need to ensure the server running Azure AD Connect has internet access to various Azure and Microsoft URLs.

For a complete list of these URLs, refer to the document Office 365 URLs and IP Address ranges.

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To verify the Azure AD Connect installation on Windows Server 2012 R2, you need to run the Azure AD Connect wizard. This will check the installation and provide any necessary configuration updates.

You can verify the Azure AD Connect installation by checking the Event Viewer logs, specifically the Application and Services Logs > Azure AD Sync > Admin. This will show any errors or warnings that occurred during the installation process.

The Azure AD Connect wizard will also give you the option to configure the Azure AD Connect service to start automatically when the system boots up.

To check users in the 365 Admin Center, click on Users -> Active Users. This will show you a list of all active users in your organization.

You can add the Sync status column to get more information about each user. This column will indicate if the user is synced from on-premises or is a cloud-only user.

By checking the Sync status, you can verify if users are being synced correctly from Azure.

For more insights, see: Sync Active Directory with Azure Ad

Having a Hybrid Identity Administrator is all you need for Azure AD Connect tasks. This simplifies the process and reduces the need for Global Administrator privileges.

In the past, I've seen organizations with multiple Azure AD Connect installations, each in a different locality. They would often run in Staging Mode, which required a person with Global Administrator role to manually upgrade and adjust the settings.

With the Hybrid Identity Administrator role, you can perform all necessary tasks in Azure AD Connect without needing Global Administrator privileges. This is a significant improvement in terms of security and cost-effectiveness.

In fact, having a Hybrid Identity Administrator is the only role needed for Azure AD Connect tasks, aside from possibly requiring Enterprise Admin privileges in Active Directory.

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