AZ-800 Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure Exam

Implement and manage Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync

Configure and Maintain Cloud Sync Agents and Policies

Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync is a cloud-managed service that helps organizations keep their on-premises Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID in sync. This tool replaces legacy solutions and offers a simpler way to manage hybrid identities. By using Cloud Sync, IT teams can ensure that user accounts and group memberships are always up to date across environments. It provides a flexible approach that scales with organizational needs.

To start using Cloud Sync, you first need to install and register the Cloud Sync agent on your on-premises server. Begin by signing in to the Azure portal and navigating to the Microsoft Entra ID section. Download the provisioning agent and follow the installation wizard to register it with your tenant. After installation, verify that the agent appears in the Agents list and shows a healthy connection.

Once the agent is in place, defining the synchronization scope is crucial. You can use attribute filtering to include or exclude objects based on specific attributes, such as department or title. Additionally, Organizational Unit (OU) selection lets you pick which OUs in Active Directory should be synced. By combining these filters, you reduce unnecessary data traffic and improve overall sync performance.

Scheduling sync cycles and monitoring service health help maintain a reliable environment. You can configure automatic sync intervals, such as every 30 minutes or once daily, based on your organization’s needs. In the Azure portal, use built-in dashboards to view key metrics:

• Alerts: Immediate notifications for failures
• Performance Metrics: Sync duration and throughput
• Usage Analytics: Trends over time

Finally, effective troubleshooting ensures continuous operation. If synchronization stops, start by checking the agent’s connection status in the portal. Review sync logs to pinpoint errors, then address issues like credential expirations or network interruptions. Keeping logs and alerts under regular review helps you resolve problems before they impact users.

Conclusion

Implementing Microsoft Entra Cloud Sync involves installing and registering agents, defining synchronization boundaries through attribute filtering and OU selection, and setting up regular sync schedules. Monitoring service health and performance metrics ensures you catch issues quickly, while proactive troubleshooting maintains smooth operations. By mastering these practices, IT teams can provide consistent, reliable hybrid identity management for their organization.