Implementing and managing Azure AD Connect cloud sync is an essential skill to master for individuals preparing for the SC-300 Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator exam. Azure AD Connect cloud sync or Azure AD cloud provisioning provides organizations with the ability to manage and synchronize their on-premises users and groups into Azure AD, thus enabling hybrid identity.
Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync: What is It?
Azure AD Connect cloud sync (also known as Azure AD cloud provisioning) is a lightweight agent-based identity synchronization mechanism, designed to accommodate more complex hybrid scenarios. It works in conjunction with the Microsoft cloud service to sync your on-premises directory data to your Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) tenant.
Implementing Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync
Before you implement Azure AD Connect Cloud sync, make sure you meet the prerequisites, which include:
- Valid Azure AD Subscription
- Permissions needed such as an Azure AD Global Administrator, and a Local Administrator on the computer where you plan to install the Azure AD Connect cloud sync agent
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to implement Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync:
- Download and install Azure AD Connect from the Azure portal.
- In the Azure portal, go to the “Azure Active Directory” section, then to “Azure AD Connect.”
- Choose “Manage Provisioning” and click on “Setup cloud Sync,” this will start the wizard for Azure AD Connect cloud sync setup.
With Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync implemented correctly, Azure AD Connect sync mechanisms start pulling changes from each connected AD forest about every 30 minutes. Note that this is the default frequency and can be customized to fit your organization’s needs.
Managing Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync
Management of Azure AD Connect Cloud sync is handled through the Azure portal. From the portal, you can:
- Monitor Synchronization: Azure AD Connect health includes robust monitoring and alert capabilities. You can identify synchronization issues and view detailed synchronization information.
- Manage Connect Synchronization rules: Use Azure AD Connect sync rules editor to view, create, modify or disable synchronization rules.
- Monitor Azure AD Connect cloud sync: You can view the operational history and understand the data that was synchronized to Azure AD.
Comparison between Azure AD Connect and Azure AD Connect cloud sync
| Feature | Azure AD Connect | Azure AD Connect Cloud Sync |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | A server is required | An agent installed on any domain-joined computer |
| Synchronization | Requires SQL Database | No SQL database required |
| Password writeback | Supported | Not currently supported |
| Password hash synchronization | Supported | Supported |
| Federation | Supported | Not supported |
In summary, Azure AD Connect cloud sync offers a lighter, more flexible solution for organizations looking to maintain hybrid identity solutions. With this feature, your on-premises identities are synced seamlessly with your Azure AD, ensuring consistency across your organization. By understanding how to implement and manage Azure AD Connect cloud sync, you are a step ahead in your preparation for the SC-300 Microsoft Identity and Access Administrator exam.
Practice Test
True or False: Azure AD Connect cloud sync is optional for managing identity and access in Azure AD.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Explanation: Azure AD Connect cloud sync is not a mandatory component, it’s an option for organizations to synchronize their on-premises directories with Azure AD.
What is the primary purpose of Azure AD Connect cloud sync?
- A. To backup data in Azure
- B. To manage access to resources
- C. To synchronize on-premises identities to Azure AD
- D. To encrypt data at rest in Azure
Answer: C. To synchronize on-premises identities to Azure AD
Explanation: The main purpose of Azure AD Connect cloud sync is to allow organizations to synchronize their on-premises directories with Azure AD.
True or False: Azure AD Connect cloud sync does not support password hash synchronization.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Azure AD Connect cloud sync supports password hash synchronization, which is an optional feature allowing on-premises password hashes to be synchronized to Azure AD.
Azure AD Connect cloud sync can be configured to synchronize only a subset of your on-premises users.
- A. True
- B. False
Answer: A. True
Explanation: Azure AD Connect cloud sync can be configured using synchronization rules to include or exclude certain users or groups from synchronization.
Which of the following is a requirement for implementing Azure AD Connect cloud sync?
- A. Azure AD Premium
- B. Windows Server 2012
- C. External connectivity
- D. All of the above
Answer: D. All of the above
Explanation: All the options provided are necessary requirements to implement Azure AD Connect cloud sync.
True or False: Data synchronization in Azure AD Connect cloud sync is a one-way process from Azure AD to on-premises directories.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: The synchronization in Azure AD Connect cloud sync is a bidirectional process, not just from Azure AD to on-premises directories.
Which feature of Azure AD Connect cloud sync provides self-service capabilities for users to reset their passwords?
- A. Password writeback
- B. Password hash synchronization
- C. Password encryption
- D. None of the above
Answer: A. Password writeback
Explanation: Password writeback is a feature that allows users to reset their passwords and have them synchronized back to their on-premises Active Directory.
Namespaces in Azure AD Connect cloud sync are referred to as:
- A. Synchronized Domains
- B. Active Directories
- C. Azure Domains
- D. None of the above
Answer: A. Synchronized Domains
Explanation: In Azure AD Connect, the namespace that gets created when on-premise directories with Azure AD are synchronized is referred to as Synchronized Domains.
Deploying Azure AD Connect cloud sync requires setting up a(n) ________.
- A. Cloud Provisioning Agent
- B. Azure AD Connector
- C. Virtual Machine
- D. None of the above
Answer: A. Cloud Provisioning Agent
Explanation: In order to deploy Azure AD Connect cloud sync, a Cloud Provisioning Agent must be installed on a Windows Server machine.
True or False: Azure AD Connect cloud sync does not support hybrid organizations with both on-premises and cloud identities.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Explanation: Azure AD Connect cloud sync is specifically designed to support hybrid environments with both on-premises and Azure AD identities.
Interview Questions
What is Azure AD Connect cloud sync?
Azure AD Connect cloud sync (previously known as Azure AD Connect cloud provisioning) is a feature that provides a lightweight solution for synchronizing identities from Windows Server Active Directory to Azure Active Directory.
How does the Azure AD Connect cloud sync work?
Azure AD Connect cloud sync works by installing agents on your local domain servers. These agents will then communicate and sync data with Azure AD, helping you mirror your on-premises directory with the cloud directory.
What are the components of Azure AD Connect cloud sync?
Azure AD Connect cloud sync is composed of the cloud sync service, which is managed in Azure and the cloud sync agent, installed on one or more on-premises servers.
What are the benefits of using Azure AD Connect cloud sync?
Azure AD Connect cloud sync offers simplified deployment, faster disaster recovery, better support for filtering and transformations, and a decreased requirement for on-premises infrastructure.
Can Azure AD Connect and Azure AD Connect cloud sync run simultaneously?
Yes, it’s possible to run Azure AD Connect and Azure AD Connect cloud sync simultaneously but it’s not recommended due to the risk of conflicting synchronization from the two services.
What is the function of the cloud sync service?
The cloud sync service performs provisioning and de-provisioning tasks in Azure AD, uses the diagnostic service to monitor the health of agents, and leverages Azure standard logging and monitoring.
What scenarios best suited for Azure AD Connect cloud sync?
Azure AD Connect cloud sync best suited for scenarios like multi-forest and disconnected Active Directory topologies, if the geographical distribution of domain controllers is not optimal for Azure AD Connect, when rapid RTO is expected, and when an enterprise wants to minimize the footprint of on-premises infrastructure.
What’s the significance of the cloud sync agent’s role in the Azure AD Connect cloud sync process?
The cloud sync agent’s role is vital as it communicates with on-premises Active Directory and the cloud sync service. It retrieves changes from Active Directory and sends them to the cloud sync service.
How is the health and status of the agents monitored in cloud sync?
Monitoring is administered from the cloud, which provides an overview of all the agents’ health statuses and synchronization activities.
Are password hashes synchronized to the cloud with Azure AD Connect cloud sync?
Yes, similarly to Azure AD Connect, Azure AD Connect cloud sync allows for password hash synchronization.
What are the requirements to set up Azure AD Connect cloud sync?
An Azure AD Premium P1 license is required to set up Azure AD Connect cloud sync. You will also need at least one server to host the cloud sync agent and your Active Directory Domain Services need to be reachable from this server.
What portals can be used to manage Azure AD Connect cloud sync?
The Azure portal and the Microsoft 365 admin center can both be used to manage Azure AD Connect cloud sync.
What security protocols does Azure AD Connect cloud sync use to ensure safe data transit?
Azure AD Connect cloud sync uses the secure HTTPS protocol to ensure safe data transit between your on-premises servers and Azure.
Can Azure AD Connect cloud sync be used with an Read-Only Domain Controller (RODC)?
No, Azure AD Connect cloud sync cannot be used with an Read-Only Domain Controller (RODC).
What happens if the cloud sync agent goes offline or fails?
If a cloud sync agent goes offline or fails, the cloud sync service will automatically balance the load among the remaining online agents.
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