AZ-800 Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure Exam

Hybrid Domain Join Configuration

Implementing a hybrid domain join lets Windows Servers be members of on-premises Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), Azure AD Domain Services, and Microsoft Entra ID at the same time. This configuration offers flexible identity management by combining local directory control with cloud-based services. Servers joined in a hybrid model can use corporate resources seamlessly, whether they are in a datacenter or in Azure. It also improves security by enforcing consistent policies across both environments.

When deploying directory services in the cloud, you can choose between two main approaches:

• Standalone Cloud-only AD DS: Create an isolated directory by promoting Azure VMs to domain controllers. This model uses separate credentials for sign-in and management.
• Extended On-Premises AD: Connect an Azure virtual network to your local network through VPN or ExpressRoute. Azure VMs join the existing on-premises AD DS, sharing identities and policies.

Managing these domain services depends on whether you use a managed or self-managed model:

• Managed Domains offer automatic DNS, simplified deployment, and built-in security. However, they limit schema extensions and advanced custom settings.
• Self-Managed AD DS gives you full control over setup, schema, and maintenance. You must handle updates, patches, and security configurations manually. This option suits organizations requiring precise customization.

Integrating with Microsoft Entra ID brings additional benefits:

• Single-Sign-On (SSO): Users and servers sign in once to access on-premises and cloud resources.
• Policy Compliance: Devices must meet corporate rules before they connect, protecting sensitive data.
• Device Registration: Use tools like Microsoft Intune to register both personal and corporate servers for secure access and management.

To configure a hybrid domain join, follow these key steps:

1. Prepare the On-Premises Environment: Validate DNS resolution, network connectivity, and AD DS prerequisites.
2. Deploy Azure AD Connect: Install and configure to synchronize user and device objects with Microsoft Entra ID.
3. Register Devices: Ensure servers are registered in Microsoft Entra ID, enabling hybrid Azure AD join.
4. Verify and Monitor: Check that devices appear correctly in both on-premises and cloud directories and review event logs for errors.

Conclusion

In this section, you learned how hybrid domain join brings together on-premises AD DS, Azure AD Domain Services, and Microsoft Entra ID into a unified identity solution. You explored the two deployment models—standalone cloud-only and extended on-premises—and saw how managed versus self-managed domains offer different levels of control and automation. Integration with Microsoft Entra ID enhances the setup with single-sign-on, policy compliance, and device registration. Finally, you reviewed the essential steps to implement hybrid domain join, from network validation to device synchronization, ensuring a robust and secure environment for your Windows Servers.