Tutorial / Cram Notes
Azure AD Connect and Azure AD Connect cloud sync are two vital components in the Microsoft ecosystem, primarily used to synchronize identity data between an on-premises environment and Azure Active Directory (Azure AD). Selecting the right tool directly impacts an organization’s ability to manage user identities and access in a hybrid environment. When preparing for the MS-100 Microsoft 365 Identity and Services exam, understanding the differences and use cases for each tool is essential.
Azure AD Connect, often known as the traditional sync tool, is a widely-used synchronization service that facilitates robust integration between your on-premises directories and Azure AD. It includes features such as password hash synchronization, pass-through authentication, federation integration (AD FS), and health monitoring through Azure AD Connect Health. One of the primary capabilities of Azure AD Connect is the ability to provide seamless Single Sign-On (SSO) experiences for users.
On the other hand, Azure AD Connect cloud sync is a newer service tailored to offer a light-weight, simplified, and versatile solution for directory synchronization. It is particularly useful in scenarios where organizations have multiple Active Directory forests or when they need a quick setup without extensive infrastructure requirements.
Let’s compare the two services based on several critical factors:
Deployment and Management Complexity:
- Azure AD Connect requires a dedicated server on-premises and may involve a more complex setup, especially in multi-forest scenarios.
- Azure AD Connect cloud sync is designed for simplistic configuration and management through the Azure portal, making it suitable for organizations with limited IT resources.
Features:
- Azure AD Connect supports a broader set of features, including write-back capabilities for scenarios like self-service password reset.
- Azure AD Connect cloud sync focuses on essential synchronization tasks and currently does not support all write-back features.
High Availability and Disaster Recovery:
- Azure AD Connect requires additional configuration for high availability, typically involving SQL Server and additional servers.
- Azure AD Connect cloud sync inherently has high availability due to its dependency on Azure services.
Performance:
- Azure AD Connect’s performance can be influenced by the on-premises infrastructure.
- Azure AD Connect cloud sync relies on cloud processing power, potentially offering more consistent performance.
Multiple Forests Support:
- Both tools support multiple Active Directory forests, but Azure AD Connect typically requires a more complex setup for this scenario.
- Azure AD Connect cloud sync simplifies multiple forest synchronization with a lighter infrastructure requirement.
Here is a simple table to encapsulate the comparison:
| Feature | Azure AD Connect | Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync |
|---|---|---|
| Single Sign-On (SSO) | Yes | No (Planned for future release) |
| Write-back Capabilities | Yes | Limited |
| High Availability | Configurable | Inherent |
| Multi-Forest Support | Complex setup | Simplified |
| Deployment Complexity | Higher | Lower |
| On-Premises Infrastructure | Required | Minimal |
| Management | On-premises & Azure Portal | Azure Portal |
| Performance | Infrastructure-dependent | Cloud-powered |
When choosing between Azure AD Connect and Azure AD Connect cloud sync, consider the organization’s specific requirements, complexity of the environment, and the IT team’s capacity to manage the infrastructure.
For example, a large enterprise with a complex on-premises directory environment and a need for advanced features such as federation with AD FS would likely benefit from Azure AD Connect. In contrast, a small to medium-sized business with a straightforward directory structure and a preference for a cloud-based solution with less on-premises footprint might opt for Azure AD Connect cloud sync.
Ultimately, Azure AD Connect and Azure AD Connect cloud sync serve the same purpose of synchronizing identity data but are tailored for different organizational needs and capabilities. Understanding the nuances of each service will help ensure successful implementation and management of user identities in a Microsoft 365 environment, which is crucial knowledge for the MS-100 Microsoft 365 Identity and Services exam.
Practice Test with Explanation
True or False: Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync supports multiple Active Directory forests.
- True
Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync is designed to support configurations with multiple Active Directory forests, whereas the traditional Azure AD Connect has more complex requirements for multi-forest scenarios.
True or False: You need an SQL server to use Azure AD Connect.
- True
Azure AD Connect requires a SQL Server for its database to store identity data. The SQL Server can be an existing one, or you can use the Express edition that comes with Azure AD Connect.
True or False: Azure AD Connect requires an on-premises server for installation.
- True
Azure AD Connect needs to be installed on an on-premises server to function, as it directly integrates with your local Active Directory.
Which synchronization feature is exclusive to Azure AD Connect and not available in Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync?
- A) Password hash synchronization
- B) Pass-through authentication
- C) Federation with AD FS
- D) Seamless Single Sign-On
Answer: C) Federation with AD FS
Federation with AD FS (Active Directory Federation Services) is a feature that is exclusive to Azure AD Connect, and it’s not supported by Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync.
True or False: Azure AD Connect and Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync both allow for filtering which objects are synchronized.
- True
Both Azure AD Connect and Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync have filtering capabilities to control which objects are synchronized to Azure Active Directory.
True or False: All custom synchronization rules created in Azure AD Connect will automatically work with Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync.
- False
Custom synchronization rules created in Azure AD Connect may not be compatible with Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync, as the two use different synchronization engines.
To utilize the feature of writeback (such as password writeback, device writeback), which tool should you use?
- A) Azure AD Connect
- B) Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync
- C) Both Azure AD Connect and Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync
- D) Neither Azure AD Connect nor Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync
Answer: A) Azure AD Connect
Azure AD Connect supports writeback features like password and device writeback, while Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync does not currently support these features.
True or False: Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync has a lighter infrastructure requirement compared to Azure AD Connect.
- True
Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync is designed to be lighter on infrastructure requirements, offering a more lightweight option for identity synchronization.
If you require a feature-rich, highly customizable tool for synchronization, which one should you use?
- A) Azure AD Connect
- B) Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync
- C) Both are equally customizable
- D) It depends on the specific feature required
Answer: A) Azure AD Connect
Azure AD Connect offers a more feature-rich and highly customizable synchronization experience compared to Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync.
True or False: Azure AD Connect is the only tool that offers self-service password reset writeback to on-premises AD.
- True
Self-service password reset writeback to on-premises Active Directory is a feature that is exclusively available with Azure AD Connect.
Which tool has a faster initial sync process?
- A) Azure AD Connect
- B) Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync
- C) Both have the same initial sync speed
- D) The speed depends on the number of objects to synchronize
Answer: B) Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync
Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync is generally faster in the initial sync process because of its lighter infrastructure and more modern synchronization engine.
True or False: You need to open inbound connections to your on-premises directories to use Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync.
- False
Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync does not require opening inbound connections to your on-premises directories. It uses an outbound-only connection model to synchronize identities.
Interview Questions
What is Azure AD Connect cloud sync?
Azure AD Connect cloud sync is a cloud-based solution that allows organizations to synchronize user and group objects from on-premises directories to Azure AD.
What is the purpose of Azure AD Connect cloud sync?
The purpose of Azure AD Connect cloud sync is to provide a simpler, cloud-based solution for synchronizing on-premises directories with Azure AD.
What are some of the key features of Azure AD Connect cloud sync?
Some of the key features of Azure AD Connect cloud sync include simple setup and management, cloud-based synchronization, and the ability to synchronize user and group objects.
How does Azure AD Connect cloud sync differ from Azure AD Connect?
Azure AD Connect cloud sync is a simpler, cloud-based solution that does not require any on-premises infrastructure, while Azure AD Connect is a more complex solution that can synchronize not only user and group objects but also password hashes and device objects.
What are the benefits of using Azure AD Connect cloud sync?
The benefits of using Azure AD Connect cloud sync include simplified setup and management, reduced infrastructure requirements, and improved scalability.
What is required to use Azure AD Connect cloud sync?
To use Azure AD Connect cloud sync, organizations must have an Azure AD subscription and an on-premises directory that is supported by Azure AD.
How does Azure AD Connect cloud sync synchronize on-premises directories with Azure AD?
Azure AD Connect cloud sync synchronizes on-premises directories with Azure AD by replicating user and group objects from the on-premises directory to Azure AD.
What is the difference between cloud-only and synced users in Azure AD?
Cloud-only users are created and managed entirely in Azure AD, while synced users are synchronized from an on-premises directory to Azure AD.
How does Azure AD Connect cloud sync handle conflicts between on-premises and cloud-based objects?
Azure AD Connect cloud sync resolves conflicts by using a combination of rules, such as source anchor, attributes, and conflict resolution policies.
Can Azure AD Connect cloud sync synchronize password hashes and device objects?
No, Azure AD Connect cloud sync does not synchronize password hashes or device objects. Organizations that require these features should use Azure AD Connect.
Is Azure AD Connect cloud sync a paid service?
Yes, Azure AD Connect cloud sync is a paid service. Organizations are charged based on the number of objects they synchronize.
What is the pricing model for Azure AD Connect cloud sync?
Azure AD Connect cloud sync is priced based on the number of objects synchronized. There is a fixed fee for the first 100,000 objects, and additional objects are charged at a lower rate.
How can organizations manage Azure AD Connect cloud sync?
Organizations can manage Azure AD Connect cloud sync using the Azure portal, Azure AD PowerShell, or the Azure AD Connect Health service.
Is Azure AD Connect cloud sync suitable for all organizations?
No, Azure AD Connect cloud sync may not be suitable for all organizations. Organizations with complex on-premises environments or specific customization requirements may need to use Azure AD Connect.
What is the difference between Azure AD Connect cloud sync and Azure AD Connect Health?
Azure AD Connect cloud sync is a cloud-based solution for synchronizing on-premises directories with Azure AD, while Azure AD Connect Health is a monitoring service that provides insights into the health and performance of Azure AD Connect.
Thanks for this informative blog post!
Why would one choose Azure AD Connect cloud sync over Azure AD Connect when both sync user identities?
I’m having trouble setting up Azure AD Connect, any tips?
Appreciate the detailed comparison between Azure AD Connect and Azure AD Connect cloud sync.
Can Azure AD Connect and Azure AD Connect cloud sync operate concurrently?
What’s the best solution for a large enterprise with complex requirements?
I noticed that Azure AD Connect supports multi-forest sync. Does the cloud sync version support this?
Very insightful! Helped me clear some doubts.