Connecting On-Premises Active Directory to Azure Active Directory Using Azure AD Connect

2025-02-11

To connect on-premises Active Directory (AD) to Azure Active Directory (Azure AD), you need to install and configure Azure AD Connect on a domain-joined Windows Server. This tool synchronizes users, groups, and credentials, enabling seamless Single Sign-On (SSO) and hybrid identity management.

Step-by-Step Guide with Commands

1. Prerequisites:

A domain-joined Windows Server (2012 R2 or later).
Global Administrator credentials for Azure AD.
Enterprise Administrator credentials for on-premises AD.

2. Download Azure AD Connect:

Download the latest version of Azure AD Connect from the Microsoft Download Center.

3. Install Azure AD Connect:

Run the installer on your domain-joined server.
Follow the prompts to configure the synchronization settings.


<h1>Example command to start the installation</h1>

Start-Process -FilePath "AzureADConnect.msi" -ArgumentList "/quiet"

4. Configure Azure AD Connect:

Choose the Express Settings option if you want a quick setup with default settings.
Alternatively, select Customize for advanced configurations.


<h1>Example command to configure Azure AD Connect</h1>

Import-Module ADSync
Start-ADSyncSyncCycle -PolicyType Initial

5. Verify Synchronization:

Check the synchronization status in the Azure AD Connect tool.
Ensure that users and groups are correctly synchronized.


<h1>Example command to check synchronization status</h1>

Get-ADSyncConnectorRunStatus

6. Enable Single Sign-On (SSO):

Configure SSO to allow users to access both on-premises and cloud resources with a single set of credentials.


<h1>Example command to enable SSO</h1>

Set-MsolDomainAuthentication -DomainName yourdomain.com -Authentication Managed

What Undercode Say

Connecting on-premises Active Directory to Azure Active Directory is a critical step for organizations transitioning to hybrid cloud environments. Azure AD Connect serves as the bridge, ensuring seamless synchronization of user identities, groups, and credentials. This setup not only enhances security but also simplifies user management across on-premises and cloud resources.

To further enhance your hybrid identity management, consider implementing additional security measures such as Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and Conditional Access policies. These features can be configured directly from the Azure portal.

For advanced configurations, you can explore PowerShell commands to automate and manage your Azure AD Connect setup. Here are some useful commands:

Force Sync: To manually trigger a synchronization cycle.
```
Start-ADSyncSyncCycle -PolicyType Delta
```
Check Synchronization Errors: To identify and resolve synchronization issues.
```
Get-ADSyncAADPasswordSyncErrors
```
Monitor Synchronization Health: To ensure the health and performance of your synchronization service.
```
Get-ADSyncScheduler
```

For more detailed information, refer to the official Azure AD Connect documentation.

By following these steps and utilizing the provided commands, you can effectively manage your hybrid identity environment, ensuring a smooth and secure transition to the cloud.

References:

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