identify which Azure Active Directory (AD) Connect features to enable, such as writeback and device synchronization

Azure AD Connect is a Microsoft utility that aids in connecting your on-premises identity infrastructure to Microsoft Azure AD. This service enables synchronization of identities between your on-premises servers and the Azure cloud, therefore fostering a seamless user experience for your users. Two key features of Azure AD Connect that we will explore are Writeback and Device Synchronization.

Azure AD Connect: Writeback Feature

The writeback feature in Azure AD Connect is an on-demand functionality that allows objects, attributes, and passwords changed in Azure AD to flow back to the on-premises AD environment. This is quite beneficial in situations where objects are managed centrally in Azure AD but you still need the on-premise AD to hold the updated information.

For instance, in the context of password writeback, when users change or reset their passwords in the cloud, those changes can be written back to an existing on-premises directory. This is particularly beneficial in hybrid environments where users authenticate against an on-premises directory.

Azure AD Connect: Device Synchronization

Azure AD Connect can similarly synchronize device objects from your on-premises Active Directory to Azure AD. This allows for optimal integration with Windows 10 devices and simplifies the management and security of your devices.

For example, when you have Azure AD Connect set up with device synchronization, it allows users to log in to Windows 10 devices using their on-prem AD credentials. Plus, when combined with configuration from Intune and Azure AD join, it can provide MDM auto-enrollment of the Windows 10 devices.

Key Features Comparison:

In conclusion, understanding the different features of Azure AD Connect like writeback and device synchronization is vital for managing identities and offering a seamless experience for users. Configuring these features correctly can elevate the efficiency of your user and device management, both in the cloud and in on-premise environments.
Before you enable these features, make sure you clearly understand your organization’s AD setup, the communication flow that you wish to enable between Azure AD and the on-prem AD, and how these settings impact your users and devices. This can help you make informed decisions about the best Azure AD Connect features to enable for your organization.

Note: Always consult Microsoft’s official documentation on Azure AD Connect and its features for the most accurate guidance.

Practice Test

Azure AD Connect’s password writeback feature enables end users to reset their passwords in the cloud and have their new password synchronized back to their on-premises Active Directory?

• [A] True
• [B] False

Answer: [A] True

Explanation: The Password writeback feature in Azure AD Connect allows users to reset their passwords in the cloud and have the new password automatically updated in the on-premises AD.

Which amongst the following Azure AD Connect features can be enabled for an organization?

• [A] Password Hash Synchronization
• [B] Device Writeback
• [C] Password Writeback
• [D] All of the above

Answer: [D] All of the above

Explanation: Azure AD Connect provides all listed features like Password Hash Synchronization, Password Writeback, and Device Writeback to fit various organizational requirements.

Password hash synchronization and Password writeback are the same functionalities in Azure AD Connect?

• [A] True
• [B] False

Answer: [B] False

Explanation: Password hash synchronization is a sign-in method that synchronizes a hash of the user’s on-premises AD password with Azure AD. Password writeback, on the other hand, synchronizes password changes in Azure AD back to the on-premises AD.

Azure AD Connect’s device writeback feature allows ADFS to enforce Conditional Access policy based on the device compliance state?

• [A] True
• [B] False

Answer: [A] True

Explanation: Yes, Azure AD Connect’s device writeback feature is essential for organizations to enforce conditional access policies based on device compliance state and can be used with ADFS.

Azure AD Connect supports multiple forests?

• [A] True
• [B] False

Answer: [A] True

Explanation: Azure AD Connect supports single or multi-forest environments, allowing businesses to handle more complex deployments.

User writeback is a feature of Azure AD Connect?

• [A] True
• [B] False

Answer: [B] False

Explanation: Currently, Azure AD Connect does not have a ‘User Writeback’ feature. The ‘Password Writeback’ and ‘Device Writeback’ features are available though.

Azure AD Connect’s password writeback feature requires Azure AD Premium?

• [A] True
• [B] False

Answer: [A] True

Explanation: The Password writeback feature is a part of Azure AD Premium and Enterprise Mobility Suite, thus requiring Azure AD Premium.

You can use Azure AD Connect health for sync diagnostics?

• [A] True
• [B] False

Answer: [A] True

Explanation: Yes, you can use Azure AD Connect health as part of Azure AD premium for detailed diagnostics.

Device writeback is necessary for Hybrid Azure AD joined devices to work?

• [A] True
• [B] False

Answer: [B] False

Explanation: Hybrid Azure AD joined devices do not require device writeback. This feature is only necessary when you want to enable conditional access based on device compliance.

Azure AD Connect automatically encrypts synchronization data?

• [A] True
• [B] False

Answer: [A] True

Explanation: Yes, Azure AD Connect encrypts synchronization data as it travels over network connections, to ensure the entire process is secure.

Interview Questions

What is the primary purpose of Azure Active Directory (AD) Connect?

Azure AD Connect is a tool used for connecting and syncing on-premises Active Directory with Azure Active Directory, thus enabling a common identity for users for Office 365, Azure and SaaS applications.

What feature does Azure AD Connect provide for updating user information on-premises and in the cloud?

This feature is known as “Writeback.” It allows updates to user information made in the cloud to be sent back to the on-premises Active Directory.

What is Password Hash Synchronization and why can it be important?

Password Hash Synchronization is a sign-in method that synchs a hash of the on-premises AD user password with Azure AD. This allows users to sign in to both on-premises and cloud-based applications using the same password.

What is the operation of device synchronization in Azure AD Connect?

Device synchronization is about the integration of device identities from on-premises to the cloud in a scenario where devices are registered with Azure AD for management.

When would you use the Azure AD Connect “Hybrid Azure AD join” feature?

This feature is used when a device is connected to an on-premises Active Directory (AD) domain and also registered in Azure AD. This allows the user to authenticate using their domain credentials and access resources in Azure AD.

Can you explain what the Azure AD Connect ‘Pass-through Authentication’ feature does?

Pass-through Authentication allows users to sign in to both on-premises and cloud-based applications using the same password. This feature validates the users’ passwords directly against your on-premises Active Directory.

What is the function of Seamless Single Sign-On (SSO) feature in Azure AD Connect?

Seamless SSO automatically signs users in when they are on their corporate devices connected to the corporate network. This feature provides a better user experience as the user doesn’t need to enter the password again to sign in to Azure AD.

Can Azure AD Connect be installed on an Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) server?

No, it is not recommended to install Azure AD Connect on an Active Directory Federation Services server. It should be installed on a separate, non-domain controller machine.

Which port must be open to install and use Azure AD Connect?

Azure AD Connect requires port 443, which is the default port for Secure Socket Layer (SSL), to be open for installation and use.

How does Azure AD Connect handle deletions?

Azure AD Connect has a feature called “deleted items.” When an object gets deleted in the on-premises Active Directory, it is placed in the Azure AD Connect recycle bin from where it can be restored.

What does the Azure AD Connect ‘Staging mode’ feature do?

The ‘Staging mode’ in Azure AD Connect allows you to prepare a secondary Azure AD Connect server for use in a disaster recovery scenario or for testing purposes. It allows the server to pull data from the on-premises AD without it being exported to the Azure AD.

How often does Azure AD Connect synchronize data by default?

Azure AD Connect synchronizes changes occurring in your on-premises directory using a scheduler with a default frequency of 30 minutes.

How can Azure AD Connect be used in a multi-forest scenario?

In a multi-forest Active Directory scenario, Azure AD Connect can be used to unify the identities from each forest into a single Azure AD tenant.

Can Azure AD Connect synchronize dynamic groups?

No, Azure AD Connect is not capable of synchronizing dynamic distribution groups. It can only synchronize security groups and regular distribution groups.

Is it possible to filter which objects are being synchronized to Azure AD?

Yes, Azure AD Connect supports filtering at the domain, organizational unit (OU) and attribute level. This enables you to control which objects are synchronized to Azure AD.