AZ-800 Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure Exam

Configure and Validate Synchronization Settings

Microsoft Entra Connect Sync is a tool that links your on-premises Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) with Azure Active Directory (Azure AD). It helps organizations maintain a consistent identity for users across both environments. By using sync, you can offer employees a single sign-on experience and reduce password management headaches. Setting up this connection is critical for secure and smooth access to cloud resources.

When you install Microsoft Entra Connect Sync, you decide on an authentication method. Options include password hash synchronization, pass-through authentication, and federation. Password hash sync stores a hashed version of on-premises passwords in Azure AD for verification. Pass-through authentication sends password checks back to the local AD DS in real time. Federation uses a trusted identity provider to give users a seamless single sign-on (SSO) experience.

To limit what is synchronized, you can apply filters that focus on only the necessary objects. Two common filtering methods are:

• Organizational Unit (OU) filtering: Choose specific OUs in AD DS so that only selected users and groups are synced.
• Attribute filtering: Define rules based on user or group attributes, such as department or location, to refine the sync scope.
  Using these filters ensures that only relevant accounts move to Azure AD, which helps maintain security and performance.

After configuration, it’s important to monitor ongoing sync health. Azure AD Connect Health provides dashboards and alerts for service status, sync errors, and performance issues. You can also use PowerShell cmdlets like Get-ADSyncScheduler to review sync schedules and Get-ADSyncConnectorRunStatus to check the last run results. These tools help you detect sync failures early and keep your directories aligned.

If you encounter errors, examine sync logs and use built-in troubleshooting tools. Common issues include mismatched attribute values or network connectivity problems. By setting up alerts and regularly reviewing logs, you can quickly resolve problems and ensure user identities stay up to date. Proper validation and monitoring are key to a reliable hybrid identity solution.

Conclusion

Microsoft Entra Connect Sync plays a vital role in creating a hybrid identity environment by linking on-premises AD DS with Azure AD. You learn to select the right authentication method—be it password hash sync, pass-through authentication, or federation—to match your organization’s security needs. Filtering options like OU and attribute filtering let you control which objects are synchronized.

Monitoring features, including Azure AD Connect Health and PowerShell cmdlets, provide ongoing insights into the synchronization process. By regularly validating sync settings and addressing errors through logs and alerts, you ensure that user identities remain consistent and secure. Mastering these steps helps you build a resilient and efficient hybrid infrastructure.