AZ-800 Administering Windows Server Hybrid Core Infrastructure Exam

Integration of On-Premises and Azure AD Authentication Protocols

Connecting your on-premises Active Directory (AD) with Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) creates a seamless sign-on experience for users. This integration relies on authentication protocols like Kerberos, NTLM, Password Hash Synchronization (PHS), Pass-through Authentication (PTA), and Federated Authentication. Each method has its own setup steps and security considerations, so it’s important to choose the right one for your organization. By understanding these options, you can ensure users access both on-premises and cloud resources smoothly.

Password Hash Synchronization copies the hashed passwords from on-premises AD to Azure AD. It delivers single sign-on (SSO) because users keep the same credentials everywhere.

• Supports SSO without extra servers.
• Improves security by using Azure AD’s risk detection.
• Reduces on-premises infrastructure needs, since no additional authentication servers are required.

Pass-through Authentication uses a lightweight agent on your local network to validate passwords directly against on-premises AD. This method never stores passwords in the cloud.

• Ensures users enter the same credentials on both environments.
• Works with Azure AD Conditional Access and smart lockout to boost security.
• Meets regulations that forbid storing passwords off-site.

Federated Authentication sets up a trust relationship using Active Directory Federation Services (AD FS). This approach offers the most flexibility for complex scenarios.

• Supports protocols like Kerberos and NTLM for on-premises apps.
• Provides true SSO by redirecting login requests to your AD FS servers.
• Enables advanced options like multi-factor authentication for extra protection.

When you compare these methods, think about security, infrastructure, and complexity.

• PHS is simplest and needs less hardware.
• PTA fits rules that ban cloud-stored passwords.
• Federation gives maximum flexibility but requires more setup and maintenance.

Conclusion

Managing authentication in hybrid environments means selecting and configuring the right protocol for your needs. You can choose Password Hash Synchronization for simplicity, Pass-through Authentication for compliance, or Federated Authentication for advanced scenarios. Each option offers different security and performance trade-offs. By understanding these methods and their requirements, you can build a reliable and secure hybrid sign-on experience for your users.