AZ-800 Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure Exam

Deploy and Integrate Windows Admin Center in a Hybrid Environment

Windows Admin Center is a central tool for managing Windows Servers in a hybrid environment. You can deploy a local WAC gateway to handle both on-premises and Azure servers from one console. This approach offers unified management and helps break down silos between cloud and local resources. By using WAC, administrators gain a single pane of glass for server health, performance, and configuration.

To implement Windows Admin Center on-premises, install the gateway on a server joined to Active Directory. Secure the gateway with SSL certificates to encrypt communications and set up role-based access controls to limit user actions. It is also recommended to use a hardened workstation for day-to-day management. Key steps include:

• Joining the server to Active Directory.
• Installing and trusting SSL certificates.
• Configuring role-based access controls (RBAC).
• Running WAC from a hardened management workstation.

Integrating with Azure extends WAC to cloud-based servers using Azure Arc. You install the Azure Connected Machine agent on each server to register it in Arc and enable remote management features. Network configurations such as firewall ports and service endpoints must be adjusted to allow secure communication to Azure services. You can deploy policies and settings with Group Policy Objects or Microsoft Intune to maintain consistency across all machines. This setup offers centralized visibility and control of servers regardless of their location.

Securing remote management is critical in a hybrid scenario to prevent unauthorized access. Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) and management certificates adds extra layers of protection. You should define firewall rules and use VPN connections—either site-to-site or point-to-site—to guard network traffic. Regularly monitor and audit administrative actions to ensure compliance and detect anomalies. Consider the following security measures:

• Enforcing MFA and management certificates.
• Applying firewall rules and VPN tunnels.
• Auditing with Azure Monitor or on-premises logs.
• Restricting tools with AppLocker policies.

Following best practices helps maintain a reliable hybrid environment. Always keep your management workstations up to date with patches and antimalware software. Limit functionality to essential services, uninstall unused programs, and disable unnecessary startup tasks to minimize attack surfaces. Use a default-deny execution policy and dedicated management accounts rather than shared credentials for better accountability. This approach reduces risk and simplifies troubleshooting.

Conclusion

Implementing Windows Admin Center in a hybrid setup involves installing a secure local gateway, integrating with Azure Arc, and enforcing strict security controls. Key points include using SSL certificates, RBAC, and firewall rules to protect communications, as well as deploying the Azure Connected Machine agent for cloud integration. By following best practices—such as updating management workstations, applying default-deny policies, and using dedicated accounts—you can achieve unified management and robust security across on-premises and Azure servers. This ensures a scalable, efficient, and consistent administration experience for your Windows Server infrastructures.